Pulping

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

The PDC’s pilot plant is equipped to perform pulping studies to evaluate wood and non-wood raw materials and chemical additives. These studies can be performed on any stage of chemical or mechanical pulp production.

Pulping Equipment and Pulp & Fiber Analytical Equipment

Rocking digester (4:1 liquor to wood ratio)
4 ft³ steam-heated digester
Bomb digester/reactor
Alkali profiling pulping system
Slotted flat screen
TMP/CTMP/RMP pilot disc refiner (12” disc)
Chip classifiers
Standard pulp evaluation apparatus
Gas and liquid chromatography
UV spectrometry
Calorimetry

Other Capabilities

A pulp yield measurement method has been developed at the PDC. Samples are collected at the mill, then analyzed for cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin content, and cellulose degree of polymerization. The total yield for the mill operation is then calculated. A validated data bank for estimating pulp yield using this technique can be used to estimate the yield of a variety of wood species and various pulps, provided that the wood furnish composition is known.

Our lab is also equipped to evaluate the effects of kraft pulping on pulp yield, optimize fiber strength, evaluate the effects of additives during pulping, and the analysis of extractives, carbohydrates, ash, viscosity, klason- and soluble lignin and kappa and permanganate number.

To begin working with us, visit our Working with the PDC page.