Pulping
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.
Wood Processing:
- Size and thickness distribution
- Bark content, basic and bulk density
- Chemical composition (extractives, ash, lignin and sugars content)
Pulping:
- Alkaline or sulfite pulping optimization studies
- Effect of chemical additives on pulp properties
- Effect of pulping conditions on pulp properities
- Thermo-mechanical pulping (refining energy analysis)
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.
To learn about our lab’s other pulp testing capabilities, visit our materials testing page!