制浆造纸专业单词9.docVIP

PAGE 48 PAGE 49 Pulping refers to any process by which wood (or other fibrous raw material) is reduced to a fibrous mass. Basically, it is the means by which the bonds are systematically ruptured within the wood structure. The task can be accomplished mechanically, thermally, chemically, or by combinations of these treatments. Existing commercial processes are broadly classified as mechanical, chemical or semichemical. The general characteristics of these processes are summarized in Table 4-1. Current annual pulp production by each major process is shown in Table 4-2. Chemical pulping accounts for 70% of North American production, of which 95% is produced by the dominant kraft process. The tabulation shows that semichemical pulping accounts for only about 5% of production; however, high-yield kraft and high-yield sulfite tonnage now included in the totals for unbleached kraft and sulfite should more appropriately be included under semichemical. table 4-2. North American pulp production 1990 (000 000 short tons). Sources: API CPPA. USA Canada Dissolving 1,293 221 Chemical pulp, paper grades Total sulfite 1,561 1,603 Bleached hardwood kraft 1,764 Bleached softwood kraft 7,006 Total bleached kraft 27,562 8,770 Unbleached kraft 22,188 1,503 Total kraft 49,750 10,273 Semimechanical 4,219 514 Mechanical 6,452 11,637 Total 63,275 25,234 A tally of North American forest-based pulp mills situated in the principal pulp-producing states and provinces (Table 4-3) helps to provide a geographical perspective. It is of interest to note that most of the sulfite mills are located in traditional pulp-producing areas (e.g., Washington. Wisconsin. Ontario, Quebec), while more-recently exploited areas (e.g., Alabama. Georgia, Louisiana. British Columbia) are relying principally on the kraft process for chemical pulping. table 4-3. Geographica