Wheat Straw Biomechanical Pulp via Enzymatic Steam Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The papermaking industry in China faces a significant shortage of papermaking raw materials, with a high dependence on imports, and traditional pulping processes inefficiently utilize wheat straws by discarding leaves and sheaths, leading to increased costs and reduced material utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the treatment of whole wheat straws with heat steam in synergy with biological enzymes to produce unbleached biomechanical pulp, where the by-products are recycled to create a biomass compound fertilizer, optimizing the use of wheat straw waste and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If wheat straw leaves and sheaths are removed in traditional pulping, then the pulping quality is improved, but the material utilization rate decreases and preparation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the enzyme dosage (1-5% of straw weight), controlling temperature (40-60°C), and optimizing treatment time (2-8 hours) to enable effective pulping of wheat straw leaves and sheaths without removal, transforming the chemical composition to improve pulping quality while utilizing the entire straw structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biological enzymes as an intermediary substance to mediate the pulping process. These enzymes act as catalysts that break down the complex structure of wheat straw leaves and sheaths, enabling them to be effectively pulped without mechanical removal, thus improving material utilization while maintaining pulping quality
2Device complexity
If wheat straw leaves and sheaths are removed, then the pulping process is simplified, but the preparation cost increases and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
Biological enzymes are introduced as an intermediary to simplify the overall process by enabling direct pulping of all straw components without mechanical separation equipment, reducing device complexity while lowering preparation costs through biological catalysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical removal systems with a biological-chemical pulping system using enzymes, substituting complex mechanical separation equipment with a simpler biological treatment process that handles all straw components uniformly
3Productivity
If conventional pulping methods are used, then the process is straightforward, but energy consumption is high and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-energy mechanical and chemical pulping systems with a biological enzyme-based system that operates at lower temperatures (40-60°C) and pressures, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining pulping efficiency through biological catalysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from high-temperature high-pressure conventional pulping to low-temperature long-duration enzymatic treatment, optimizing the balance between pulping efficiency and energy consumption by operating in a milder parameter range
4Device complexity
If by-products are discarded in the pulping process, then the process is simple, but resource utilization is low and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional system where the enzymatic pulping process simultaneously produces paper pulp and generates valuable organic fertilizer from all straw components, including previously discarded leaves and sheaths, maximizing resource utilization without increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by collecting all organic materials from the pulping process that would normally be discarded and transforming them into valuable organic fertilizer through composting, thereby recovering resources and eliminating waste disposal needs
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 effectively addresses the raw material shortage by producing high-strength unbleached pulp for packaging paper and a high-value fertilizer, reducing energy consumption by over 40% and promoting sustainable resource utilization, while minimizing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
introducing hot water steam with a temperature of 100-120° C. for hot water steam treatment for 15-60 min
Implementation Method 2
treating the fibrillated wheat straw with alkaline biological compound enzymes at 40-60° C. for 30-90 min
Implementation Method 3
Evaporating and concentrating the lye wastewater, wastewater generated in the straw rubbing stage, wastewater generated in the enzyme treatment stage, and washing water of refining by a multi-purpose evaporator to obtain a residue, and recovering the heat energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing an unbleached biomechanical pulp and fully utilizing by-products by treating wheat straws with heat steam in synergy with biological enzymes, which belongs to the technical field of papermaking technology and waste comprehensive utilization. The present disclosure provides a method for preparing an unbleached biomechanical pulp by treating whole wheat straws with heat steam in synergy with biological enzymes, where the prepared high-strength biomechanical pulp can meet the requirements of producing unbleached packaging paper and paper-based materials. At the same time, the by-products are recycled to prepare a biomass compound fertilizer, which turns solid waste into treasure and realizes the high-value full utilization of wheat straw. Therefore, the method in the present disclosure is simple, green, clean and efficient, which has good practical application value and broad application prospects.