Steam-Enzyme Biopulping of Whole Wheat Straw for Full Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pulping and papermaking processes face inefficiencies in utilizing whole wheat straw, leading to increased costs and reduced material utilization due to the removal of wheat straw leaves and sheaths, and the by-products from these processes are not effectively utilized, hindering comprehensive waste management.

Innovation Solution

A method involving hot steam treatment and alkaline biological enzyme processing of whole wheat straw to produce unbleached biomechanical pulp, followed by recycling by-products for biomass compound fertilizers, utilizing a multi-effect evaporator to treat wastewater and adjust pH for fertilizer production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If wheat straw leaves and sheaths are removed during preparation, then the quality of pulp is improved, but the utilization rate of wheat straw is reduced and material preparation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulp qualityVSAvoidwheat straw utilization rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters by using alkaline biological enzymes (pH 9-11) to selectively degrade lignin and hemicellulose in leaves and sheaths, making them suitable for pulping without physical removal. This chemical modification allows the entire wheat straw to be utilized while maintaining pulp quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the previously harmful effect of leaves and sheaths (which contaminate pulp) into a benefit by using enzyme treatment to selectively remove lignin and hemicellulose, transforming these problematic components into soluble substances that can be washed away, thereby enabling full wheat straw utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If by-products from pulping process are discarded, then the pulping process is simplified, but comprehensive waste utilization is hindered and environmental benefit is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess complexityVSAvoidby-product utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a dual-path system:合格 pulp goes to papermaking while by-products (treated leaves, sheaths, and washing water) are recovered and converted into organic fertilizer. This prevents waste while avoiding excessive process complexity by using natural decomposition and simple mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the wheat straw processing system multi-functional: it produces both pulp for papermaking and organic fertilizer from by-products. This universal approach allows one processing system to serve multiple purposes, maximizing resource utilization without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional mechanical pulping is used, then the process is simple, but energy consumption is high and fiber quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional high-energy mechanical pulping with a bio-chemical approach using alkaline biological enzymes to预处理 wheat straw, followed by low-energy mechanical refining. This substitution dramatically reduces energy consumption while improving fiber quality through selective chemical degradation of lignin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary enzyme treatment to degrade lignin and hemicellulose before mechanical pulping, which softens the straw and makes subsequent mechanical refining much more energy-efficient. This preliminary biochemical action reduces the mechanical energy required by 40% or more.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enhances the utilization of wheat straw, reduces energy consumption by 40%, produces high-strength pulp for packaging paper, and creates environmentally friendly fertilizers with high added value, addressing economic and social benefits.

Implementation Method 1

charging hot steam whose temperature is 100-120℃ for treatment for 15-60 min

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

reacting the split wheat straw with an alkaline biological complex enzyme at a temperature of 40-60℃ for 30-90 min

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme degradation: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

treating the waste lye, the wastewater from the extrusion stage, the wastewater generated in the enzyme treatment stage, and the refining washing water with a multi-effect evaporator to evaporate and concentrate to obtain a residue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12428784B2Method for preparing unbleached biomechanical pulp by hot steam in coordination with biological enzyme treatment of wheat straw and full utilization of by-products thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.30 QILU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (SHANDONG ACADEMY OF SCIENCES)

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for preparing unbleached biomechanical pulp by hot steam and biological enzyme treatment and full utilization of by-products thereof, and belongs to the technical field of papermaking technology and comprehensive utilization of waste. The present disclosure proposes a method for preparing high-strength unbleached biomechanical pulp, using whole wheat straw as a raw material, by using hot water in coordination with an alkaline biological enzyme to treat whole wheat straw, thereby meeting the requirements for the production of unbleached linerboard and paper-based materials, and recycling by-products thereof to prepare biomass compound fertilizers, which creates wealth from solid waste and realizes the high-value full utilization of wheat straw. The preparation method of the disclosure is simple, green, clean and efficient, and has good practical application value and broad application prospects.