IMPROVING ASPEN KRAFT PULP BY A NOVEL, LOW-TECHNOLOGY FUNGAL PRETREATMENT

This study investigated the biopulping agent Phanerochaete chrysospori um with a new process that required neither wood sterilization nor pur e culture incubation conditions. Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux) c hip bales with three treatments were studied. Each bale was kraft cook ed after 8.5 weeks of pretreatment. The effects of fungal inoculation and foil-wrapping on pulp and paper strength properties were evaluated . Fungal pretreatment caused significantly faster response to beating as lower freeness was noted. Foil-wrapping retarded the loss of moistu re within the bale, and as a result, prolonged fungal activities, resu lting in substantial increases in burst strength. Tear was slightly in creased, but there was no increase in tensile strength. In some bales, brightness of unbleached pulp was reduced. This study has shown that substantial improvements in certain paper properties and potential bea ting energy savings could be achieved through this compression/baling technique. Optimization of this system has the potential to provide a practical method of chip pretreatment for the pulp and paper industry.