Abstract: An improved pulping process for producing high yield pulps from woody lignocellulosic material wherein the lignocellulosic material is treated with a pulping chemical and mechanically defibrated. The improvement comprises pre-treating the lignocellulosic material by impregnating same with a loweralkanolamine so as to cause softening of lignin in the material and to promote fiber separation. As a result, pulping chemical and refining energy consumption as well as vapor and liquid effluent pollution are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A nonsulfur chemimechanical pulping process for producing pulp from woody materials is disclosed. The process is particularly suited for producing corrugating medium pulp from hardwood chips although the process can be adapted to production of other types of pulp and can use other types of woody materials. The process comprises impregnation and dilution of the chips in a dilute aqueous pulping solution of a lower alkanolamine catalyzed with ammonium hydroxide. The preferred alkanolamine is monoethanolamine present in a weight ratio to ammonium hydroxide of about 1 part to 1 part or less to 1 part to 3 parts or more. The pulping solution may be repeatedly reused and the process of this invention does not produce environmentally objectionable by-products.

Abstract: A process for producing corrugating medium pulp, fuel, and other products from a wide variety of woody materials is disclosed. In one embodiment a pulping solution is produced by cooking green chips in a water solution of monoethanolamine and subsequently collecting the liquor produced. Pulp is then produced by digesting chips under a vapor dome of the pulping solution, or cooking the chips in the solution and subsequently digesting under a vapor dome. Digested chips are then refined in pulping solution to produce corrugated medium pulp. In another embodiment, fuel may be produced by digesting woody material under a vapor dome with sulfur dioxide and ammonia. The digested chips then yield a lignin containing liquor which has a good fuel value and may be used as a liquid fuel or impregnate for woody material. In another embodiment the pulping solution is used as a hard wood conversion resin. Wood is impregnated and pressed. The pressed wood may have a density of twice the original wood.

Abstract: A versatile process and apparatus is presented for producing, in high yields, many different grades of pulp from a single wood specie or for pulping any specie or type of woody material, and for storage and recycling of the by-product liquid and gaseous materials. The process of this invention is virtually pollution free, and the reactant chemicals are recoverable from the by-products. In the alternative, the by-products themselves have a commercial value which may forestall recovery of the reactants. The lignin constituent extracted from the pulp is usable as a resin binder, a wood rehardening agent, or a glue.

Abstract: A versatile process and apparatus is presented for producing, in high yields, many different grades of pulp from a single wood specie or for pulping any specie or type of woody material, and for storage and recycling of the by-product liquid and gaseous materials. The process of this invention is virtually pollution free, and the reactant chemicals are recoverable from the by-products. In the alternative, the by-products themselves have a commercial value which may forestall recovery of the reactants. The lignin constituent extracted from the pulp is usable as a resin binder, a wood rehardening agent, or a glue.