Mechanical Pulping: Peroxide-based ATMP refining of spruce: energy efficiency, fibre properties and pulp quality

Pilot scale refining of White spruce using a modified TMP refining process (ATMP - Advanced Thermomechanical Pulp) was studied. ATMP combines selective wood disintegration by mechanical pretreatment and refining at elevated intensity with chemical treatment after defibration (in this study hydrogen peroxide, alone and in combination with alkali). The electrical energy efficiency and pulp quality using ATMP were evaluated and compared to a conventional TMP process. One goal was to retain the combination of optical properties and strength of typical TMP. Fibre properties (structural dimensions, external and internal fibre development) as well as the amount of split fibres resulting from TMP and ATMP processes were compared. The results indicate an electrical energy efficiency improvement potential of 0.65 MWh/odt (34%) at tensile index 30 N.m/g of ATMP compared to reference TMP. All ATMP pulps retained their TMP character, i.e. the relationships between light scattering coefficient, density, elongation properties and strength that are important for printing paper. ATMP had a significantly lower content of shives and higher external and internal fibre development compared to TMP at equal energy application. The long fibre fraction of ATMP also contained significantly higher amount of split fibres. The brightness of ATMP produced with addition of hydrogen peroxide (28 kg/odt) and magnesium hydroxide (14 kg/odt) was 14 ISO % higher compared to TMP.