Mid Sweden University

Chips of Norway spruce have been impregnated with Na₂SO₃ and refined at two specific energy consumptions levels at full mill scale. The optical properties of thermomechanical pulps (TMPs) obtained were analyzed in terms of brightness, light scattering, opacity, and autofluorescence by spectral imaging. Even at low sulfite dosage (0.24% sulfite by dry weight) light absorption was reduced, and the brightness was elevated, and a clear dose-response effect was observed. Two-photon spectral imaging (TPSI) showed that sulfonation, impregnation, and refining affect the fluorescence properties differently. Compared to native wood, both processed wood chips and pulp fibers revealed blue-shifted fluorescence maxima, a characteristic of shortened conjugated systems. Two subpopulations of fibers with different optical properties were observed, and the fluorescence of one fiber population was red shifted.

Mill scale trials were performed to evaluate pressurised compressive chip pre-treatment with the Impressafiner installed in one of the thermomechanical pulp lines at Braviken paper mill (Holmen Paper AB). The aim of the study was to determine if earlier reported effects of the Impressafiner pre-treatment on spruce chips from pilot scale trials (i.e. energy reduction and extractives removal) could also be attained with the mill scale Impressafiner.The mill scale Impressafiner pre-treatment resulted in partial disintegration of chips into a material consisting of fragmented chips with cracks running along the longitudinal fibre axis. Splits or evidence for weaknesses were observed between the primary and secondary fibre walls of pre-treated chips. An increase in water uptake for pre-treated chips was also observed. The extractive content was reduced by up to 24% for pulps produced with pre-treated chips compared to pulps from untreated chips. Pulp produced from pre-treated chips had higher tensile- and tear indices, elongation and light scattering and lower freeness compared to pulps from untreated chips produced with the same total specific energy consumption. The total specific energy needed to reach a tensile index of 47 Nm/g was reduced by 120 kWh/bone dry ton (6%) with Impressafiner pre-treatment. A smaller refiner plate gap was needed to reach the same specific energy consumption for pre-treated chips compared to untreated chips.