Innovation in lignocellulosics dewatering and drying for energy sustainability, TAPPICon24

Efficient water removal during paper manufacturing plays a pivotal role in optimizing production speed and cost-effectiveness within the pulp and paper industry. This research aimed to develop an enzyme-assisted wet-pressing pathway, for dewatering and drying enhancement while providing a fundamental understanding of the bound-water removal through computational simulations. The results showed that synergistic actions of enzymes added after refining modify the fibers and create the optimal conditions for enhancement in drainage, press dewatering (up to 35 % increase), and paper properties (up to 60 % increase in strength), leading to energy savings of around 10 % for paper drying. On the other hand, the computer simulations revealed strongly localized water molecules near the cellulosic surface, via hydrogen bonding, which might create an energetic barrier hindering water removal, and slowing the drying processes. Additionally, it was demonstrated that a thin layer of water molecules could facilitate the quantification of specific hydrogen bonding patterns on the cellulose surface, patterns that are not readily discernible in bulk water conditions. The perspective of utilizing enzymes to enhance press dewatering during paper manufacturing holds immense potential for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting sustainability in the paper industry. Furthermore, computer simulations hold immense potential to provide a fundamental understanding of the dewatering phenomena and assist in developing strategies to enhance water removal during the dying of lignocellulosics, contributing to reducing energy consumption, carbon, and greenhouse emissions during drying in the paper industry.

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