Features of Larix Sibirica Ledeb Wood Processing Into High Yield Fibrous Semi-Finished Products

Abstract

About 40 % of the forest area in the Russian Federation is occupied by larch trees growing in the southern regions of Eastern Siberia and the Far East, where existing and reconstructed woodworking enterprises are located. In this regard, the use of larch wood in the production of fibrous semi-finished products is an urgent task for the Russian forest complex. As is known, larch wood contains a large number of extractive substances that have a significant impact on the process of its deep chemical processing. Therefore, it can be assumed that the production of wood (mechanical) pulp from larch wood, in particular chemical-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), will be very effective, but with its own specific features. In this paper, it is proposed to modify the technology by using enzymes – protein catalysts of various reactions. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential of using larch wood enzymatic treatment in CTMP-technology, to evaluate the effect of enzymes on the physical and mechanical parameters of the fiber and the specific energy consumption during refining. Industrial samples of Larix sibirica Ledeb (Pinaceae) wood chips were used to obtain CTMP. Five commercially available enzymatic agents were used to treat wood chips. CTMP was obtained using laboratory equipment that simulates the industrial stages of production. Enzymatic treatment of larch wood has shown an improvement in the technological parameters of CTMP production, namely, a decrease in the specific energy consumption for refining and an increase in the quality of finished products.