Minimizing TMP Energy Consumption using a Combination of Chip Pre-treatment, RTS and Multiple Stage Low Consistency Refining, 2007 International Mechanical Pulping Conference

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High intensity thermomechanical pulps were produced from white spruce on the pilot scale using a combination of pressurized chip destructuring and fibration, chemical treatment, RTS primary refining and multiple stage low consistency refining. Competitive news grade TMP pulp quality was achieved with approximately 1500 kWh/ODMT using the new process configuration. The physical pulp properties using the multiple stage LCR configuration were equivalent to the HCR control pulps at a given freeness and superior at a given application of specific energy. An interesting finding was that the conditioned spruce fibers following primary refining were equally developed in a Low Consistency Refiner as compared to High Consistency Refiner; eliminating the need for a secondary high consistency refining stage. Results from this investigation shed light on the importance of pulp fiber conditioning for maximizing the displacement of HCR with less energy intensive LCR.