Reduction in Refining Energy and Improvement in Pulp Freeness through Enzymatic Treatment - Lab and Plant Scale Studies

Lab as well as plant scale studies were carried out on enzymatic refining of mixed hardwood pulp aiming reduction in refining energy and improvement in fiber freeness. For the study different commercially available enzymes were used. Enzymatic treatment of pulp reduced refining energy by 29.3% in the laboratory scale experiments and by 20% in the plant scale trials conducted at a wood based paper mill. Enzymatic treatment of pulp improved the drainage of pulp by 11.1% in the laboratory scale experiments and improved FPR by 3.0%, FPAR by 3.6% in plant trial. During plant scale trial breaking length of the paper was improved by 14.7-17.4%.