Process intensification in mechanical pulping

Process intensification is a term used in the chemical process industry for major improvements in the process design leading to radical changes in process complexity, equipment size and efficiency. We suggest that a similar approach is applied in the pulp and paper industry. We have focused on the production of mechanical pulp, but a similar approach can be applied to other areas within the pulp and paper industry. Inspired by process intensification methodology, we suggest five principles for development of the mechanical pulping process. Three fundamental principles; 1. Break up the wood and fibre wall structure in the right positions. 2. Give each fibre, of certain morphology, the same processing experience. 3. Optimize the applied mechanical forces and the physiochemical state of the wood and fibre material. and two system oriented principles; 1. Select wood raw material based on final product specifications. 2. Design the process to facilitate observability, controllability and maintenance. Implications of these principles on process design and future challenges for mechanical pulping are discussed.