Chemical Pulp Research Articles

Extraction of flavonoid dyes from vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) waste and application in bleached pulp dyeing

AbstractNatural dyes are receiving more attention due to wide and renewable resources and their functionalities. This study delved into the optimal conditions for extracting Ampelopsis grossedentata flavonoid dyes (AGFDs) from vine tea waste, resulting in a dye sample with a total flavonoid extraction percentage of 27.4 %. Ultraviolet (UV), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis revealed the presence of 18 flavonoids in AGFD. Additionally, various factors, including pH, light exposure, temperature, metal ions, and redox agents were found to impact the stability of AGFD. Moreover, the dyeing performance of AGFD for the bleached chemical pulp was investigated. Under optimal conditions, the AGFD‐dyed pulp displayed a vibrant yellow hue and excellent colour fastness when using aluminum potassium sulphate dodecahydrate (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O) as a mordant with a dyeing uptake level up to 88 %. FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that AGFD chemically bound to the pulp fibre. Remarkably, the hand sheet made from the AGFD‐dyed pulp exhibited thermal stability, physical strength properties and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the peroxide value of cheese packaged with the AGFD‐dyed pulp hand sheet was only 43 % of that of the undyed one, indicating its good antioxidant properties. This study highlights the promising potential of AGFD in the production of functional coloured paper.

Hornification in commercial chemical pulps: Dependence on drying temperature

Hornification in commercial chemical pulps: Dependence on drying temperature

Lignin extraction in chemical pulp mills: The role of flexible operation

Lignin extracted from black liquor in chemical pulp mills can potentially replace fossil carbon feedstocks in fuels and materials, thereby increasing the economic and environmental added values of woody biomass. However, since lignin extraction reduces the electricity generation of the mill, the added value depends on the characteristics of the electricity market in which the mill operates. In this study, a model mill is exposed to two different electricity price profiles: the low and steady prices of south-central Sweden in Year 2019; and the high and volatile prices of the same region in Year 2022. For the model mill, investments in lignin extraction designed to increase pulp production are economically viable and have low levels of sensitivity to electricity price levels and price volatility. The viability of lignin extraction without increased pulp production depends on the relationship between the electricity and lignin prices. With stable electricity prices, or steady mill operation, a rule-of-thumb holds that for lignin extraction to be viable, the lignin price (€/t) must be 1.8-times the average electricity price (€/MWh) plus 40 €/t for the supply of chemicals. With volatile electricity prices and flexible operation of the recovery boiler, the mill can shift the loss in electricity sales to low-price hours, thereby saving 15–70 % of the operational costs of lignin extraction, as compared to steady operation. This effect can be further enhanced by increasing the capacity of the lignin extraction process or extending the size of the black liquor storage tank. The proposed flexibility measures allow the market-integrated pulp mill to export lignin to replace fossil carbon supplies in other sectors, while supporting the electricity system during hours with high demand and low supply.

Characteristics and degradability of laser print waste paper fiber reinforced PLA resin matrix composite materials

AbstractAs is well known, Laser print paper is usually produced with high‐quality chemical wood pulp. The laser print waste paper fiber (LPWF) is a high‐quality secondary fiber, and the research and development of high‐value utilization technology for laser print waste paper has attracted much attention in the field of renewable resource recycling. In this study, LPWF was used to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites in the field, and the composites were modified with bioenzyme, cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM), and nano‐silicon carbide (Nano‐SiC) to enhance the interfacial compatibility of LPWF/PLA composites. The study systematically investigated the effects of various modification methods on the characteristics and degradability of composites made from laser print waste paper fiber reinforced PLA resin matrix. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the composites treated with CPAM and Nano‐SiC were significantly improved, with tensile strengths of 54.3 and 59.5 MPa, and flexural strengths of 85.1 and 91.5 MPa, respectively, and the water absorption of the composites was reduced after the modification treatment, while the thermal stability was improved. The degradation performance of the composites in various water environments indicated that the inclusion of LPWF accelerated the water degradation rate of the composites, with the maximum degradation rate of the composite reaching 1.26% in 30 days.Highlights Laser print waste paper is an excellent quality recyclable fiber resource. Four modifiers were used to modify LPWF/PLA composites. Characteristics and degradability of the composites were investigated. Significantly improved properties of CPAM and Nano‐SiC modified composites. The degradation rate of composites is increased by the addition of LPWF.

Kinetic assessment of pulp mill-derived lime mud calcination in high CO2 atmosphere

The chemical pulping of biomass involves the recycling of calcium through the calcination of lime mud, which is mostly comprised of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Lime mud decomposes under elevated temperatures to generate calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), the kinetics of which are strongly influenced by the CO2 partial pressure and temperature. Oxy-fuel combustion and electrified lime kilns for lime mud calcination are intriguing methods to decarbonize this highly polluting operation within the biomass pulping industry. However, the high CO2 concentration in oxy-fuel and electrified calcination processes alters the kinetics and overall reactivity of lime mud. For the first time, a model-fitting method is used to determine the kinetic parameters for lime mud calcination under a wide range of temperatures (550 °C–1250 °C) and under different concentrations of CO2 (0 %, 15 %, 50 %, and 90 %). A kinetic model is developed that accurately predicts the reaction rates as a function of temperature and CO2 concentration. The apparent activation of energy for lime mud calcination is elevated under a high CO2 environment. Relative to inert gas (N2, Ar), the temperature window for calcination is much smaller under high CO2 environments. The presence of Na in lime mud does not seem to affect calcination under a high CO2 environment. Finally, particle size variation does not have a significant effect on calcination under a high CO2 environment.

Equilibrium Moisture Mediated Esterification Reaction to Achieve Over 100% Lignocellulosic Nanofibrils Yield.

Lignocellulosic nanofibrils (LCNFs) isolation is recognized as an efficient strategy for maximizing biomass utilization. Nevertheless, achieving a 100% yield presents a formidable challenge. Here, an esterification strategy mediated by the equilibrium moisture in biomass is proposed for LCNFs preparation without the use of catalysts, resulting in a yield exceeding 100%. Different from anhydrous chemical thermomechanical pulp (CTMP0%), the presence of moisture (moisture content of 7wt%, denoted as CTMP7%) introduces a notably distinct process for the pretreatment of CTMP, comprising the initial disintegration and the post-esterification steps. The maleic acid, generated through maleic anhydride (MA) hydrolysis, degrades the recalcitrant lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) structures, resulting in esterified CTMP7% (E-CTMP7%). The highly grafted esters compensate for the mass loss resulting from the partial removal of hydrolyzed lignin and hemicellulose, ensuring a high yield. Following microfluidization, favorable LCNF7% with a high yield (114.4 ± 3.0%) and a high charge content (1.74 ± 0.09mmolg-1) can be easily produced, surpassing most previous records for LCNFs. Additionally, LCNF7% presented highly processability for filaments, films, and 3D honeycomb structures preparation. These findings provide valuable insights and guidance for achieving a high yield in the isolation of LCNFs from biomass through the mediation of equilibrium moisture.

Understanding the potential of bamboo fibers in the USA: A comprehensive techno‐economic comparison of bamboo fiber production through mechanical and chemical processes

AbstractThe growing interest in bamboo fibers for pulp, paper, and board production in the USA necessitates a comprehensive financial viability assessment. This study conducts a detailed technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of bamboo fiber production, primarily for the consumer hygiene tissue market although it is also applicable to other industrial uses. The economic viability of two pulping methods – alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP) and ammonium bisulfite chemical pulping (ABS) – was explored within three different pulp mill settings to supply pulp to two nonintegrated tissue and towel mills in South Carolina, USA. The target was to produce wet lap bamboo bleached pulp at 50% consistency and 70% ISO brightness. Despite higher initial capital invesment and operating costs, ABS achieved a lower minimum required selling price – USD 544 to 686 per bone dry metric ton (BDt = 1000 BDkg) – in comparison with USD 766 to 899 BDt−1 for APMP. This price advantage is partly due to an additional revenue stream (lignosulfonate byproduct), which not only boosts revenue but also circumvents the need for expensive chemical recovery systems. When compared with traditional kraft pulping, both methods require significantly lower capital investments, with minimum required selling prices (estimated to achieve 16% IRR) below current market rates for extensively used bleached kraft pulps in the USA tissue industry. The economic benefits derive from several factors: the low cost of bamboo as raw material, reduced capital needs for new pulping technologies, lower transportation costs from the pulp mill to tissue and towel manufacturing facilities, and the high market price of bleached kraft pulp.

OPTIMIZATION OF PULP AND PAPER PRODUCTION FROM PLANTAIN STEM USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Plantain stem have a high cellulose content, which has drawn significant attention from academics and industry professionals seeking to create pulp and paper that is environmentally friendly. The method used for turning these plantain stem into pulp and paper was found to be soda chemical pulping. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the chemical structure of the bleached and unbleached pulp obtained from he pulping and bleaching pocesss was ascertained. The effects of these independent variables (temperature, concentration of sodium hydroxide, and cooking time) on pulp yield were investigated using the response surface method (RSM). The ideal circumstances were attained concerning the three parameters under study—, these are 25 minutes, 120 oC, and 15%— for cooking duration,temperature, sodium hyroxide concntration respectivey.Under ideal conditions, the pulp yield was 35%.The results of the study demonstrated that the sodium hydroxide concentration significantly affected the pulp production. At the lowest concentrations of 15% NaOH, the maximum yield was observed at 35%.From the work, three papers were produced to ascertain their mechanical characteristics. Amongst the three papers produced from the different yield obtained. Paper B, has the highest elongation and tensile strength at breaking load of 1.30mm and 42.10 kg/cm2 respectively compared to paper C which has an elongation at breaking load of 1.27mm and tensile strength at breaking load of 41.03 kg/cm2.Paper A thas the lowest elongation at breaking load of 1.25mm and a tensile strength at a breaking load of 40.93 kg/cm2 .

Enzyme activity test paper with high wet strength and anion adsorption properties fabricated from whole cationized softwood chemical fiber

Paper-based test film material is widely used in a variety of test instruments for different applications. The enzyme activity test paper sheet is one of the most popularly used test papers. Here we present a novel fabrication of paper-based enzyme activity test paper without cationic resin added in. The chemical pulping fibers were first beaten to different degrees (from 14.6 to 41.5°SR) with a PFI beater. After that, the fibers were modified with a cationic agent (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) under the system of alkali and water solution. Finally, the test papers were made with the modified fiber by a regular paper former in lab. The results showed that beating is beneficial for the improvement of the cationization reaction which is indicated by the Zeta potential, FTIR and EDS. The main mechanisms involved are the destruction of crystalline zone, increase of free hydroxyl group and defibrillation. This hypothesis was supported by the SEM, XRD and fiber analyzer. Beating under the optimized condition, the wet strength and liquid absorbability of test paper can meet the application requirement, and the test results of enzyme activity are quite close to those of commercial test papers.

Industry restructuring and environmental performance – Decomposing the drivers of water pollution reduction in the Swedish pulp and paper industry, 1969-1989

This paper analyses the reduction of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) emissions in the Swedish pulp and paper industry between 1969-1989. To that end, I have constructed pollution records for a large sample of Swedish chemical pulp producers and decomposed the observed changes in BOD emissions into (i) scale, (ii) technique, (iii) composition, and (iv) plant entry and (v) plant exit effects. In contrast to previous decomposition analyses of industrial pollution reduction, which have mainly emphasised the technique effect and/or compositional changes across surviving plants, this study finds that the majority of the pollution reduction was due to the exit of numerous (predominantly emission-intensive sulfite) plants, in combination with a continuous reallocation of production from such plants towards the surviving (predominantly sulfate) plants. The divergence in results can be attributed to the industry’s market structure, which is an important factor to consider when assessing the potential for successful pollution reduction.

Fungal behavior and recent developments in biopulping technology.

Biological pretreatment of wood chips by fungi is a well-known approach prior to mechanical- or chemical pulp production. For this biological approach, a limited number of white-rot fungi with an ability to colonize and selectively degrade lignin are used to pretreat wood chips allowing the remaining cellulose to be processed for further applications. Biopulping is an environmentally friendly technology that can reduce the energy consumption of traditional pulping processes. Fungal pretreatment also reduces the pitch content in the wood chips and improves the pulp quality in terms of brightness, strength, and bleachability. The bleached biopulps are easier to refine compared to pulps produced by conventional methodology. In the last decades, biopulping has been scaled up with pilot trials towards industrial level, with optimization of several intermediate steps and improvement of economic feasibility. Nevertheless, fundamental knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms involved in biopulping is still lacking. Overall, biopulping technology has advanced rapidly during recent decades and pilot mill trials have been implemented. The use of fungi as pretreatment for pulp production is in line with modern circular economy strategies and can be implemented in existing production plants. In this review, we discuss some recent advances in biopulping technology, which can improve mechanical-, chemical-, and organosolv pulping processes along with their mechanisms.

Enhancing cellulose fiber properties from chromolaena odorata and anana comosus through novel pulping chemical mixtures

The production of cellulose with exceptional properties has led to the modification of chemical pulping methods and the development of newer chemical pulping methods. This study developed mixtures of sodium hydroxide, ethanol, and anthraquinone as new pulping chemicals to produce alpha-cellulose from pineapple leaves and Saim weed stems. The addition of anthraquinone was noticed to influence the pulp yield positively and the FTIR of all the cellulose has the characteristic cellulose bands. Calculated Total crystallinity index (TCI), (Lateral order index) LOI., and Hydrogen bond intensity (HBI) from the FTIR presented PLSHAEC (68.38 %) and SWSHQEC (67.74 %) having high crystallinity. From the XRD, the 2? by all the materials is attributed to cellulose I diffraction, and the crystallinity index aligned with FTIR determined crystallinity. The determined particle average diameter using ImageJ software showed that PLSHQEC 3.00 had the smallest value, followed by 5.17 for PLSHQC, 5.32 for SWSHQEC, and 6.03 for SWSHQEC. From the thermal analysis, the onset of the degradation of all the cellulose occurred at different temperatures: 247.10? (PLSHQC), 253.38? (PLSHQEC), 240.20? (SWSHQC) and 242.58? (SWSHQEC). The increase in yield, higher crystallinity index, and smaller fiber diameter of the cellulose demonstrated anthraquinone as a better additive to produce quality cellulose that would undergo easy chemical modification.

Indonesia’s Pulp Export Performance In the China Market: An Analysis Using Almost Ideal Demand System Approach

Indonesia is one of the world's leading pulp producers. Both domestic consumption and global demand are increasing annually. As Indonesia seeks to meet the escalating global demand for pulp raw materials, China is emerging as a major destination for its exports, which underscores the strategic importance of this market. This study aims to evaluate the comparative advantage of Indonesian pulp exports and to identify the price, cross-price and expenditure elasticities of pulp demand in the Chinese market. Using the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) method and the Linear Approximation-Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model, this research analyzes annual time series data covering the period 2003-2022, focusing on the quantity and export value of chemical pulp (HS 470329). The results show that Indonesian pulp has a comparative advantage in the Chinese market, as indicated by Indonesia's RCA index greater than one. However, this comparative advantage is declining over time. At the same time, China's sustained increase in pulp consumption underscores the intensified competition among pulp-exporting countries for market share in China. Using the LA/AIDS model, the estimation results highlight a different dynamic in the Chinese pulp market: Japanese pulp emerges as a complementary product to Indonesian pulp, while Thailand and Brazilian pulp act as substitutes. These findings have valuable strategic implications for Indonesian policymakers and industry stakeholders in managing the complexities of global pulp trade dynamics

Spray drying of cellulases produced by Bacillus sp. SMIA-2

Microbial cellulases present biotechnological potential to be used in several industries, including food, brewery and wine, industrial waste for chemical feedstock, animal feed, pulp and paper, agriculture, textile and detergent production. In this work, cellulases produced by the thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 in submerged cultures containing sugarcane bagasse, corn steep liquor and passion fruit rind flour were spray-dried, in an attempt to improve their stability for industrial purposes. The cellulases were spray dried and analyzed before and after the drying process and subsequent storage. A Central Composite Design (CCD) 23 was used to investigate the effect of different concentrations of arabic gum and microcrystalline cellulose, as well as the spray dryer inlet temperature on the cellulase spray drying process. The results evidenced that the combination of 1.0 % (w/v) arabic gum and 1.0% (w/v) microcrystalline cellulose, at inlet temperature of 70 °C, was effective in maintaining the activities of both avicelases (avicel-hydrolyzing enzymes) and carboxymethylcellulases (carboxymethylcellulose-hydrolyzing enzymes - CMCase). The dried avicelase was completely preserved when stored at 5oC, while the CMCase retained 89% of its activity, which indicates promising potential for industrial uses, especially in detergent formulations.

A biotechnological approach to upgrade wheat straw into high-performance binderless boards

Wheat straw represents a highly promising source for the production of bio-based materials due to its fibrous composition, naturally optimized structure, and high availability as an agricultural by-product. The present study reports the conversion of wheat straw into high-performing fibreboards without the use of bonding agents. In a first step, straw was converted into fibres using a mild semi chemical pulping process. Subsequently, microbial aqueous retting of the fibres was performed for different periods. The fibres obtained were characterized and the microorganisms involved in the retting process were isolated and sequenced. Quantification of xylanase activity indicated substantial enzymatic hydrolysis of hemicellulose. This biotreatment improved both the drainability of the straw fibres and the mechanical properties of hot-pressed binderless fibreboards. Characterization of mechanical and physical properties revealed impressive flexural strengths of 64 MPa, flexural moduli of 6.8 GPa and internal bond of 1.1 MPa after 8 days of bio treatment. The results exceeded the standard requirements for hardboards and demonstrate the possibility of enhancing the performance of straw based binderless boards with natural biotreatment.

Impact of the feed-in-tariff exemption on energy consumption in Japanese industrial plants

To promote renewable energy deployment, Japan introduced a feed-in tariff policy in 2012, financed through a surcharge on electricity prices for consumers. The Japanese government also offered a discount system for electricity-intensive industrial plants, exempting them from paying full surcharges. Using monthly plant-level data from 2005 to 2018, this study evaluated the exemption system’s impact on electricity and fossil fuel consumption for plants in the iron and steel, chemical products, and pulp and paper sectors. Our results show that the exempted iron and steel plants decreased electricity purchase and consumption 18.62% and 17.88% after 2017, respectively. This decrease is attributed to the introduction of an electricity efficiency after 2017. It is worth noting, however, that the revision of the scheme did not affect the chemical, pulp and paper sectors. In this sense, a stronger efficiency requirement might be warranted to ensure the decrease in electricity consumption for all sectors. Nevertheless, we estimate that roughly 7 million tCO2 have been avoided thanks to the decrease in electricity consumption in the iron and steel sector.

Sustainable Solution Economically for The Production of Paper Pulp from Peanut Shell

The increasing demand for sustainable and eco- friendly materials has prompted researchers to explore alternative sources for paper pulp production. This research paper investigates the feasibility of utilizing peanut shells, an abundant agricultural waste, as a potential raw material for paper pulp production. The study focuses on the process of converting peanut shells into high-quality pulp through various methods such as chemical and mechanical pulping. The paper further discusses the potential benefits, challenges, and environmental implications of using peanut shell pulp as a sustainable alternative to conventional wood-based pulps. The findings of this research contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable resource management and promote the utilization of agricultural waste for value- added applications.

Recycling the groundnut crop waste as fertilizer and paper

India is the second largest producer of groundnut in the world. More than 85 lakhs of hectares of the land isapproximately used in groundnut cultivation. In 2022 groundnut is produced in 9.86 million metric tons in which 50% of waste has been produced. Agricultural waste can be recycled into different forms of energy sources. Groundnut crop residues were collected from Lattur located at Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India. The collected residues were separated as groundnut shell and plant residues. The plant residues are subjected to both vermicompost and natural composting processes. Groundnut shell is used to prepare paper by using the Kraft process (Chemical pulping method). Both the compost is mixed with soil with the ratio of 1:10, 2:10 and Nutrients like N, P, K were analysed. The results slow vermicompost having enriched nutrients. Comparing Natural compost, and the Groundnut shell were prepared as paper with a size of 210mm*297mm. Compost helps to improve the health and quality of the soil that is added to improve and maintain the environment. For the paper production trees were cut and used. This causes deforestation. To resolve this problem the better solution is preparation of paper using the non-wooden material. The groundnut shell is one of the non-wooden materials used for the production of the paper. These papers will be eco-friendly as well as it controls deforestation.

Lignin Nanoparticles Produced from Wheat Straw Black Liquor Using γ-Valerolactone.

The valorization of the black liquor produced during the chemical pulping of wheat straw is the key to the sustainable use of this abundant agricultural waste. However, the silica problem has hampered the recovery process. Herein, nanoprecipitation technology was used to produce lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) from wheat straw black liquor using γ-valerolactone (GVL) as a solvent and water as an anti-solvent. The results showed that a uniform, well-dispersed, and stable LNP was produced. The particle size and Zeta potential of 161 nm and -24 mV of the LNP suspension were obtained at a GVL concentration of 87%. The chemical structure and bonding of the lignin were adequately preserved after nanoprecipitation based on two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-HSQC NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and thermal stability was improved based on thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups of LNP quantified by 31P-NMR analysis are beneficial for chemical cross-linking and modification. This work not only achieved the valorization of wheat straw black liquor but also opened up a new avenue for advanced nanomaterials.

Industrial Data-Driven Processing Framework Combining Process Knowledge for Improved Decision-Making—Part 2: Framework Application Considering Activity-Based Costing Concepts

Operating time series data collected and stored in historian must be managed to extract their full potential. Part 1 of this paper proposed a structured way (a sophisticated approach) to process industrial data; this first part explains in detail the data processing framework used as the basis for the costing analysis present in the second part of this series. The framework considers the analysis scope definition, data management steps, and operating regimes detection and identification. The added value of this proposed framework is demonstrated in Part 2 via the use of cost accounting for operational problem-solving (debottlenecking), i.e., its practicality is validated via its application alongside a cost analysis on the brownstock washing department of a kraft pulp mill. The traditional debottlenecking approach assumes a single operating condition considering that operating regimes allow for a much more sophisticated debottlenecking study of the washing department. With the use of operations-driven cost modeling (contingent on activity-based costing concepts) and processed time series data corresponding to steady-state operation, incremental profit can be assigned to each operating regime in order to identify the most cost-efficient one. The overall objective of this two-part series is to convert processed industrial steady-state data and cost information into knowledge that can be used to optimize the washing department of a chemical pulp mill. More specifically, different operating regimes are assessed, and the most suitable operating strategy is defined. The application of activity-based costing on a large amount of historically processed industrial data led to the improvement in the operation. The identified optimal way to operate (pulp throughput, pulp conductivity, defoamer and bleaching chemical quantity, etc.) led to a profit of CAD 49 M per year. Lastly, a contribution analysis of the regimes based on PCA highlighted how the process was operated when the preferred performances happened.