Experiments on Specific Energy and Pulping Quality of Extrusion Mechanical Pulping

Abstract

In order to select rational screw parameters for improving the pulping quality, efficiency and reducing specific energy, the paper studied the effects of the rotational speed of screw, lead number of reverse thread and slot width of reverse flight of the twin screw pulping extruder (TSPE) on specific energy, flux and pulping quality (reject rate, fiber length and fine component content) in the processes of extrusion mechanical pulping. The experimental results show that synthetically considering and pulping quality the efficiency, the screw rotational speed of 300 r/min–400 r/min is more appropriate. For poplar chips, the lead number should be greater than or equal to six. And for cotton stalks and wheat straws, the lead number should be no less than seven. For the combination screws of multiple extrusion zones, the slot width of the ultimate extrusion zone plays a decisive role on the fiber length. In addition, the slot width can also adjust the barrel pressure and the axial force of the screws. The work of the paper is significant for optimum design of the TSPE.