Comprehensive evaluation of the industrial processing effects on the fiber properties of the pulps from wood residues

Abstract Wood processing residue, as an essential forest resource, is underestimated in the industrial applications. With the development of pulping technology, fiber quality and cost control have become the important prospects. It is very crucial to investigate the influencing factors of pulping, designed to reveal the relationship between fiber separation and physical performances. In this study, a range of effect factors of large-scale pulping process, including wood species, pretreatment, mechanical conditions, and post-bleaching treatment, were comprehensively investigated. The results illustrated that the industrial pulping process affected the dimensions of the fibers, their surface morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability. The separated positions of the fibers were determined collectively by the mechanical temperature, time, and wood species. In addition, mild bleaching could effectively increase the crystallinity index, accessibility of the hydroxyl groups, and water retention values. However, it exerted a negative influence on the thermal stability. Further, chemical-assisted-refinement can replace higher temperature and prolonged ones to obtain pulp fibers with high quality while consuming less energy. Improved knowledge of how the industrial affects the fiber separation of a wood matrix and pulp quality is required as a basis for the development of the pulp and paper industry.