Patent Publication Number: US-4548675-A

Title: Nonsulfur chemimechanical pulping process

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 494,703, filed May 16, 1983, abandoned, which application was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 303,944, filed Sept. 21, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,712, which application was a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 237,723, filed Feb. 24, 1981 abandoned, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 083,784, filed Oct. 11, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,147, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 842,262, filed Oct. 4, 1977, now abandoned, which in turn was a continuation of Ser. No. 551,259, filed Feb. 20, 1975, now abandoned. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 083,785, filed Oct. 11, 1979, now U.S. Pat No. 4,259,151, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 962,971, filed Nov. 22, 1978, now abandoned, which in turn was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 959,620, filed Nov. 13, 1978, now abandoned, which in turn was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 821,468, filed Aug. 3, 1977, now abandoned, which in turn was a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 551,259, filed Feb. 20, 1975. Accordingly, the disclosures of said parent U.S. patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     This invention relates to a nonsulfur chemimechanical pulping process (NSCMP) for producing pulp from woody materials. The process of this invention involves the discovery that a wide variety of woody constituents can be pulped in a dilute aqueous solution of a lower alkanolamine catalyzed by ammonia to produce a superior pulp in very high yields. 
     This invention also relates to an improved wood pulping process for removing lignin constituents thereof without contamination so that the pulping solution can be repeatedly reused, the pulping chemicals distilled therefrom, and the residue used as a fuel. The residue may be burned in conventional equipment and does not produce noxious or poisonous gaseous by-products normally associated with the by-products of conventional pulping operations. 
     In the above-identified parent patent applications, processes and an apparatus for producing different grades of wood pulp from a variety of wood species were disclosed. The processes produced, in high yields, pulps from dissolving grade to container grade, or an intermediate fibrous material and readily reusable by-products. Most importantly, however, the parent processes pulped wood without the use of toxic liquors or noxious gases generally associated with conventional pulp processes. The lignin constituents were removed from the pulp as uncontaminated by-products suitable for commercial utilization. 
     It was also disclosed that a lignin dissolving mild organic base could be used to produce a corrugating medium pulp of superior quality and that such base could be reused as a pulping solution subsequently. Specifically, a lignin dissolving, mild organic base such as monoethanol amine, in vapor phase cooking, was found to be capable of initiating a lignin depolymerization reaction in wood chips whereby the lignin constituents could be extracted. The chips could then be refined and used to produce corrugating medium pulp. The resulting by-product solution when diluted could be reused many times as a pulping medium. 
     It has now been discovered that in a batch, a batch continuous, or a continuous process, a pulping solution consisting of a dilute aqueous solution of the lignin dissolving solvent, a lower alkanolamine catalyzed with ammonium hydroxide will produce superior results. Ammonium hydroxide may, in a batch or batch continuous process, be present as a major ingredient in the pulping solution, and in one preferred embodiment ammonium hydroxide is present in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to the lower alkanolamine. 
     In continuous application, whereas the preferred weight ratio of the lignin dissolving solvent to the woody materials remains unchanged, and the liquid to chips ratio also remains essentially unchanged, optimum results are achieved with a lower concentration of ammonium hydroxide. Although the ratio of 3:1, ammonium hydroxide to amine, preferred in batch and batch continuous operation, will produce acceptable strength results in continuous operation, optimum results in continuous operation have been found to be produced by a weight ratio of ammonium hydroxide to amine of about 1:1, or less. 
     The alkanolamine, monoethanolamine, has been disclosed as the pulping agent in U.S. Pat. No. 2,192,202 to Peterson et al. In that patent, however, the process disclosed required an unusually long cooking time of from 4 to 20 hours in a cooking liquid containing 70-100% of the alkanolamine. Clearly such a long cooking time is not commercially desirable, and the quantities of chemicals involved also rendered the process quite expensive. Recently the use of certain alcohols and amines as additive in alkaline pulping was also described. See &#34;Alkaline Pulping in Aqueous Alcohols and Amines&#34; by Green et al, TAPPI, Vol. 65, No. 5, p. 133 (May 1982). In that article, tests of monoethanolamine, ethylene diamine, and methanol as solvent systems in soda (sodium hydroxide) pulping were described. The article, however, concluded that the pulps produced at low amine charges did not possess sufficient burst and tensile strengths. At high amine levels a lower alkali content was required, but this resulted in a deterioration of cellulose viscosity and pulp mechanical properties. 
     It has been discovered, however, that a lower alkanolamine such as monoethanolamine in dilute aqueous solution with ammonium hydroxide will pulp a wide variety of different wood species in extremely high yields of 85-95% and will produce a superior hardwood pulp suitable for corrugating medium. The process also may be adapted to produce other pulps as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Pulping time required is normally about 15 minutes, but may extend up to 1 hour depending upon the wood species and pulp produced. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to produce a nonsulfur chemimechanical pulping process which will rapidly and efficiently pulp a wide variety of different wood species. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a nonsulfur process for producing a superior grade of corrugating medium pulp from hardwoods. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pulping solution consisting of an alkanolamine and ammonium hydroxide in dilute aqueous solution which may be repeatedly reused to pulp green wood chips without noxious or harsh chemical by-products. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a continuous wood pulping process for producing superior grades of corrugating media from hardwoods such as aspen, alder and the like in a reusable pulping solution of a lower alkanolamine, ammonium hydroxide, and water which when spent may be efficiently and easily distilled to salvage chemical constituents thereof producing a concentrated lignin containing solution suitable for disposal as, for example, a fuel, without problems normally associated with by-products from commercial pulping processes. 
     These and other objects of this invention will become readily apparent with reference to the following description: 
     One of the important features of this invention is the discovery that a pulping media consisting of a lower alkanolamine catalyzed by ammonium hydroxide will produce a superior grade pulp in unexpectedly high yields from virtually any type of woody material. While the preferred embodiment of this invention utilizes monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and monoisopropanolamine, as well as other lower alkanolamines, are intended within the scope of this invention as lignin dipolymerizing agents. 
     Furthermore, high concentrations of said depolymerizing agents are not needed for effective pulping when the pulping media is an aqueous solution thereof catalyzed by the presence of ammonium hydroxide. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, corrugating media pulp can be produced from preferably any type of hardwood in a pulping solution which can be repeatedly reused until the lower alkanolamine is virtually completely reacted. The spent pulping solution then may be concentrated by distillation to remove the chemical constituents for reuse, if desired, leaving a lignin-containing residue which has a very high fuel value and virtually none of the pollution problems associated with the residues from standard pulping processes. In fact, the lignin-containing residue may be used as, for example, a boiler fuel, in conventional equipment because it produces none of the noxious gaseous by-products associated with the burning of residues from conventional pulping processes. 
     The process of this invention may utilize an initial impregnation step with pulping solution followed by a vapor phase digestion step under a vapor dome. Preferably, however, the pulping solution may be used in a combined impregnation and digestion step optionally preceded or followed by a steam treatment step. The treatment time, as will be subsequently described, will vary with the wood species used and the type of pulp produced. However, corrugating media pulp of superior quality has been produced in very high yields with a digestion-impregnation time of about 15 minutes. 
     The process of this invention is suitable for batch digestion equipment, batch continuous digestion in multiple digesters, or continuous pulping in conventional equipment. However, it is preferred to utilize the digestion equipment as described in, for example, my U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,151, and given commercial requirements multiple of such digesters in a batch continuous process. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, however, that the type of digestion equipment is not intended to be limitative of the scope of this invention. 
     As an example of a preferred embodiment of this invention, used to produce corrugating medium pulp, fresh, green hardwood chips of woods such as alder, aspen, oak, and the like are used. The pulping solution is prepared as a dilute aqueous solution of a lignin dissolving solvent, such as a lower alkanolamine, and ammonium hydroxide. 
     Monoethanolamine, the preferred solvent, is mixed with ammonium hydroxide in proportions of about 10-12 gal. of monoethanolamine having a concentration of 8 lbs. per gal. to 36-40 gal. of ammonium hydroxide. The weight ratio then is about 100 lbs. of monethanolamine to about 300 lbs. of commercial grade ammonium hydroxide. The mixture is then diluted with about 1,000 gal. of water. Accordingly, about 50 gal. of the mixture is diluted with about 1,000 gal. of water. Then about 600 gal. of the dilute mixture is combined with 2,000 lbs. of green hardwood chips in a digester. 
     Typically in utilizing the preferred digester superior grade of corrugating medium pulp is produced in yields of up to about 95% by digesting the chips under a pressure of about 50 psi and a temperature of about 285° F. for about 15 minutes. As will be subsequently explained the digestion procedure may vary as required. Typically, however, the chips are initially impregnated for a few minutes as the digester is heated to remove entrained air. Subsequently the liquid level in the digester is dropped below the chip mass and the chips are digested under the above conditions in vapor phase. 
     Following digestion, the digester vessel is typically vented to a heat exchanger to recover the heat value of the digester gases and the liquid from the digester is routed to a blow tank containing an equal volume, i.e. 600 gal., of dilution water. The chips are then washed in another volume, i.e. 600 gal., of water and the wash water and dilute pulping solution are combined. The pulping solution is ultimately returend to storage tanks for reuse. The above quantities are sufficient for at least about four digestion procedures with hardwood chips. 
     The pulping solution is recovered for reuse by preferably distillation. Condensate recovery returns the cooking chemicals back to the process, lowering chemical costs and process water requirements. The thick liquor residue resulting from distillation has been found to have a high BTU value, up to 10,000 BTU per oven dry pound. This residue is easily burned in a standard boiler utilizing either oil or wood and has been found to have a very low inorganic content. It therefore produces only small quantities of ash and no substantial chemical residues such as found in conventional kraft process residues and the residues of other commercial processes including the neutral sulfite process. 
     After separation of the pulp from the pulping solution, the pulp is subjected to standard screening and pulp washing processes to form a low consistency pulp solution. The low consistency pulp is then pumped to, for example, a continuous pulp presser to separate water and increase the consistency of the pulp to a desired consistency number. Typically pulp consistency of 12-40% is obtained. 
     The high consistency pulp is then refined. Refining is used to reduce the Shive content of the pulp and to develop the desired paper properties. It is necessary in the production of corrugating medium pulps, and other pulps, that the pulp have a good tensile and wet web strength so that the wet pulp sheet will have sufficient strength to prevent tearing and consequent shutdown of the paper machine. Refining also serves to separate individual fibers more fully, make the fibers more flexible, and to give the fibers a &#34;fibrillated&#34; surface in order to enlarge the contact area between the fibers in the final paper and to increase pulp strength. 
     The process of this invention produces corrugating medium pulps having desired properties such as high tensile strength, high wet web strength, high concora numbers, and similar requirements. Corrugating medium pulps produced by other processes do not yield the necessary tensile and web web strength properties. It is therefore necessary with other processes to add expensive chemical pulps to the corrugating medium pulp to develop these properties. By eliminating the requirement for expensive chemical pulp additives the process of this invention then substantially decreased production costs. 
     After high consistency refining, the corrugating medium pulp is pumped to a second pulp press, and the pulp is de-watered to an oven dry content of about 30%. The pump at this point is sufficiently dry to handle as a solid and is in the form of nodular pulp (pulp flakes). The flakes may be stored in fiber drums or other suitable containers depending upon market conditions, and stored in a warehouse. 
     In another embodiment of the process of this invention utilizing two digester vessels such as those described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,151, batch continuous operation is possible. 
     Initially, 2,000-3,000 lbs. of green chips, for example 50% oak-50% aspen, are loaded into the first digester with 600 gal. of the pulping solution of this invention. The digester is then heated to about 212° F. with steam, leaving the overflow vents open to remove entrained air. 
     While the first digester is heating, the second digester is evacuated. The second digester is also cooled, as, for example, by circulating cooling water through the heating jacket or coils. This procedure allows the venting of digester No. 1 into digester No. 2 in a very short period of time. 
     After digester No. 1 reaches 212° F., the vents are closed and the digester heated to 75-100 psi for a period of about 15-30 minutes to cook the chips. In the preferred process, the cooking occurs in vapor phase under a vapor dome of the cooking solution. However, within the scope of this invention, the chips may be initially impregnated with the cooking solution, and cooked in a steam atmosphere. In an alternative, this invention is intended to comprehend a continuous digestion process with, for example, a screw type conventional digester for continuous digestion in liquid phase. In each of these embodiments, however, the cooking solution utilizing dilute amine lignin dissolving solvent with an ammonia catalyst has been found to produce unexpectedly high yields in very short cooking times. While corrugating medium pulp is of primary interest herein, it must also be recognized that other types of pulps may be produced, and that the process of this invention is equally suitable for pulping hardwood chips, softwood chips, and mixed hardwood and softwood chips. 
     At the end of the initial cook, digester No. 1 is vented into digester No. 2. Venting time as noted above is decreased by evacuation and cooling of digester No. 2 and should occur in about 10-15 minutes. When the pressure in digester No. 1 reaches about 10 psi, the spent cooking solution and cooked chips are blown into a blow tank. During the blow down of digester No. 1, digester No. 2 is filled with green chips and cooking solution and cooked as described above relative to digester No. 1. Digester No. 1, after blow down, is evacuated and cooled in preparation for venting from digester No. 2. 
     The use of two digester vessels results in an efficient batch-continuous operation utilizing heat in the digesters. Cooling water is returned to wash water storage tanks. 
     After blow down, the chips and pulping solution are agitated in the blow tank with mixers to provide initial defibrating and easier pulping of the partially defibered chips. After the initial defibrating step, the defibrated chips and pulping solution are pumped to a first refiner. The first refiner serves as a further defibrator to ensure complete defibration of the cooked chips. The defibered pulp and the pulping solution are then pumped to a series of screens where the defibered pulp is separated from the pulping solution. The pulping solution is pumped to storage and processed in a spent liquor evaporator to recover condensate. The condensate is then utilized in the preparation of new cooking solution. 
     After separation of the pulping solution the pulp is washed and is in the form of low consistency pulp solution. The low consistency pulp solution is then de-watered to produce high consistency pulp which is then subjected to a refining step. 
    
    
     The following tables illustrate test data from different cooking times. The chips cooked were 100% aspen or 50% aspen, 50% oak. The yields, as shown, generally were between 85 and 95%. Most importantly, the necessary pulp characteristics for a high grade corrugating media pulp were produced. 
     
                       TABLE 1                                                     
______________________________________                                    
100% ASPEN                                                                
Sample LDC-0803 - 100% Aspen                                              
Cooking Time = 15 minutes                                                 
Cooking Sol. - 1 part MEA. 3 NH.sub.4 OH                                  
Cooking Yield = 93.11%                                                    
BEATING TIME, MINUTES                                                     
                 30      40      47    65                                 
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc                                                         
                 489     382     290   101                                
O.D. Sheet Wt.   2.62    2.67    2.54  2.62                               
grams/meter (sq) 131.11  133.54  126.97                                   
                                       131.12                             
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                 .357    .331    .267  .251                               
Std. dev.        .012    .004    .008  .003                               
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                 .367    .403    .476  .522                               
Bulk, cc/g       2.72    2.48    2.10  1.92                               
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                 145.45  189.13  230.68                                   
                                       312.67                             
Std. dev.        6.28    8.93    25.11 22.73                              
Burst Index mN m(sq)/g                                                    
                 1.11    1.42    1.82  2.38                               
Tensile Avg. kg/m                                                         
                 231.98  320.77  350.63                                   
                                       557.94                             
Std. dev.        30.42   29.36   21.78 95.90.                             
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                 1.77    2.40    2.76  4.26                               
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                 17.35   23.56   27.08 41.73                              
Stretch Avg., %  0.80    0.84    0.96  1.14                               
Std. dev.        0.00    0.94    0.05  1.25                               
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                 602.73  646.68  612.14                                   
                                       502.27                             
Std. dev.        26.26   105.53  139.51                                   
                                       105.68                             
Tear Index mH m(sq)/g                                                     
                 4.60    4.84    4.82  3.83                               
Double Folds Avg., 1.0 kg                                                 
                 NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Std. dev.        NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                 9.2     23.53   53.47 409.70                             
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                 26.47   27.50   27.00 25.87                              
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                 159.39  243.16  286.15                                   
                                       143.61                             
Std. dev.        29.56   14.53   4.27  1.38                               
Ring Crush, kN/m 1.21    1.66    1.71  1.80                               
Std. dev.        0.04    0.07    0.10  0.11                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 2                                                     
______________________________________                                    
100% Aspen                                                                
LDC-0804 - 100% aspen                                                     
Cooking Time = 30 minutes                                                 
Cooking Sol. - 1 part MEA, 3 parts NH.sub.4 OH                            
Cooking Yield = 93.42%                                                    
BEATING TIME, MINUTES                                                     
                 40      48      57    80                                 
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc                                                         
                 495     412     312   112                                
O.D. Sheet Wt.   2.06    2.05    2.07  2.06                               
grams/meter (sq) 103.25  102.38  103.37                                   
                                       102.95                             
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                 .299    .28     .294  .234                               
Std. dev.        0.14    .031    .007  .006                               
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                 .345    .366    .352  .44                                
Bulk, cc/g       2.90    2.273   2.84  2.27                               
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                 190.44  253.00  275.32                                   
                                       349.05                             
Std. dev.        9.46    10.26   11.71 36.25                              
Burst Index mN m(sq)/g                                                    
                 1.84    2.47    2.66  3.39                               
Tensile Avg. kg/m                                                         
                 387.96  511.95  579.94                                   
                                       738.59                             
Std. dev.        28.83   15.20   10.54 58.38                              
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                 3.76    5.00    5.61  7.17                               
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                 36.85   49.04   55.02 70.36                              
Stretch Avg., %  0.90    1.18    0.94  1.20                               
Std. dev.        0.00    0.11    0.09  0.14                               
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                 627.84  1067.33 774.34                                   
                                       549.36                             
Std. dev.        36.25   456.00  9.06  104.12                             
Tear Index mH m(sq)/g                                                     
                 6.08    10.42   7.49  5.34                               
Double Folds Avg., 1.0 kg                                                 
                 NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Std. dev.        NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                 16.6    30.67   57.23 1220.67                            
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                 21.17   20.87   21.80 21.13                              
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                 198.68  244.64  273.55                                   
                                       398.10                             
Std. dev.        20.02   5.63    9.09  7.92                               
Ring Crush, kN/m 1.40    1.41    1.80  1.83                               
Std. dev.        0.21    0.30    0.19  0.15                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 3                                                     
______________________________________                                    
100% Aspen                                                                
Cooking Time = 45 minutes                                                 
Cooking Sol. = 1 part MEA, 3 parts NH.sub.4 OH                            
Cooking Yield = 94.7%                                                     
BEATING TIME, MINUTES                                                     
                 35      40      48    63                                 
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc                                                         
                 483     398     316   105                                
O.D. Sheet Wt.   2.56    2.66    2.64  2.65                               
grams/meter (sq) 127.96  133.23  132.06                                   
                                       132.35                             
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                 .304    .291    .259  .247                               
Std. dev.        .014    .009    .007  .015                               
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                 .421    .458    .51   .536                               
Bulk, cc/g       2.38    2.18    1.96  1.87                               
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                 213.18  267.19  332.51                                   
                                       400.65                             
Std. dev.        11.92   9.98    30.40 19.05                              
Burst Index mN m(sq)/g                                                    
                 1.67    2.01    2.52  3.03                               
Tensile Avg. kg/m                                                         
                 409.29  482.62  644.10                                   
                                       875.91                             
Std. dev.        36.92   21.91   146.69                                   
                                       59.73                              
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                 3.20    3.62    4.88  6.62                               
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                 31.37   35.52   47.83 64.90                              
Stretch Avg., %  0.96    1.02    1.08  1.12                               
Std. dev.        0.05    0.04    0.17  0.11                               
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                 740.85  706.32  815.41                                   
                                       651.38                             
Std. dev.        25.79   29.36   110.85                                   
                                       164.37                             
Tear Index mH m(sq)/g                                                     
                 5.79    5.30    6.17  4.92                               
Double Folds Avg., 1.0 kg                                                 
                 NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Std. dev.        NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                 17.90   29.50   73.43 669.70                             
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                 19.13   19.13   19.07 18.47                              
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                 229.07  264.66  318.7 446.28                             
Std. dev.        27.81   9.22    2.25  3.67                               
Ring Crush, kN/m 1.59    1.72    1.97  1.77                               
Std. dev.        0.13    0.08    0.10  0.05                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 4                                                     
______________________________________                                    
50% Aspen, 50% Oak                                                        
Cooking Time = 15 min.                                                    
Cooking Sol. - 1 part MEA, 3 parts NH.sub.4 OH                            
Cooking Yield = 85.46%                                                    
BEATING TIME, MINUTES                                                     
                 50      62      72    91                                 
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc                                                         
                 504     408     308   117                                
O.D. Sheet Wt.   2.54    2.58    2.67  2.76                               
grams/meter (sq) 126.83  129.19  133.28                                   
                                       137.98                             
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                 .408    .417    .354  .376                               
Std. dev.        .024    .021    .013  .007                               
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                 .311    .31     .377  .367                               
Bulk, cc/g       3.22    3.23    2.65  2.72                               
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                 102.52  117.75  169.49                                   
                                       197.74                             
Std. dev.        12.42   8.00    12.99 14.21                              
Burst Index mN m(sq)/g                                                    
                 0.81    0.91    1.27  1.43                               
Tensile Avg. kg/m                                                         
                 262.64  292.64  363.96                                   
                                       396.07                             
Std. dev.        15.88   16.40   42.51 59.56                              
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                 2.07    2.27    2.73  2.87                               
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                 20.31   22.21   26.78 28.15                              
Stretch Avg., %  0.72    0.78    0.80  0.93                               
Std. dev.        0.04    0.13    0.10  0.05                               
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                 464.60  447.34  517.97                                   
                                       423.79                             
Std. dev.        26.26   11.10   66.59 22.53                              
Tear Index mH m(sq)/g                                                     
                 3.66    3.46    3.89  3.07                               
Double Folds Avg., 1.0 kg                                                 
                 NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Std. dev.        NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                 3.57    6.07    19.27 51.23                              
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                 19.10   18.77   18.90 20.07                              
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                 53.38   94.52   221.66                                   
                                       355.84                             
Std. dev.        8.90    37.98   4.71  5.35                               
Ring Crush, kN/m 0.90    1.11    1.50  1.81                               
Std. dev.        0.04    0.05    0.08  0.11                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 5                                                     
______________________________________                                    
50% Aspen, 50% Oak                                                        
Cooking Time = 30 min.                                                    
Cooking Sol. = 1 part MEA, 3 parts NH.sub.4 OH                            
Cooking Yield = 87.29%                                                    
BEATING TIME, MINUTES                                                     
                 50      60      68    90                                 
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc                                                         
                 494     389     301   108                                
O.D. Sheet Wt.   2.50    2.78    2.71  2.65                               
grams/meter (sq) 124.89  138.93  135.50                                   
                                       132.56                             
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                 .385    .42     .369  .321                               
Std. dev.        .022    .018    .02   .018                               
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                 .324    .331    .367  .413                               
Bulk, cc/g       3.09    3.02    2.72  2.42                               
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                 116.30  150.48  237.29                                   
                                       247.35                             
Std. dev.        9.79    6.76    10.44 14.27                              
Burst Index mN m(sq)/g                                                    
                 0.93    1.08    1.75  1.87                               
Tensile Avg. kg/m                                                         
                 267.97  344.63  483.95                                   
                                       523.95                             
Std. dev.        7.67    58.66   17.54 47.28                              
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                 2.15    2.48    3.57  3.95                               
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                 21.04   24.33   35.03 38.76                              
Stretch Avg., %  0.74    0.92    1.06  1.06                               
Std. dev.        0.05    0.08    0.09  0.05                               
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                 530.52  740.85  684.35                                   
                                       483.44                             
Std. dev.        35.79   257.29  56.16 28.08                              
Tear Index mH m(sq)/g                                                     
                 4.25    5.33    5.05  3.65                               
Double Folds Avg., 1.0 kg                                                 
                 NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Std. dev.        NA      NA      NA    NA                                 
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                 4.00    6.77    18.13 80.70                              
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                 16.27   16.60   15.80 17.43                              
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                 100.82  163.69  286.90                                   
                                       362.51                             
Std. dev.        5.14    18.98   1.64  3.62                               
Ring Crush, kN/m 0.97    1.49    1.60  1.81                               
Std. dev.        0.04    0.23    0.17  0.11                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     As another example of a preferred embodiment of this invention, used to produce corrugating media pulp, fresh aspen chips were used. The chips were classified with a 1 inch screen and with a 1/4 inch screen so that only material passing through the 1 inch screen and not passing through the 1/4 inch screen was used. In order to optimize the composition of the pulping solution, initially, three laboratory cooks were used. The chips were initially presteamed for 10 minutes at 100 degrees C. The pulping solution was preheated to 160 degrees C. in a vertical digester, and the chips were then preheated to 142 degrees C. In the three cooks, a ratio of 4:1 liquor-to-wood was maintained although some water was added to the chips to prevent burning during the preheating process. In each cook, the chips were held for 15 minutes at 165 degrees C. and constant pressure. 
     After cooking, the chips were removed from the digester and fiberized hot in a refiner. Fiberized pulp was then washed with 150 degree F. water and dewatered using a press. At this point total yield was obtained. 
     Table 6 below sets forth the condition used in three separate tests of the process of this invention, and Tables 8-10 provide the physical data from said tests. Clearly the test utilizing equal quantities of monoethanolamine and ammonium hydroxide provided the optimum results. These laboratory tests were conducted in a McConnell horizontal rotary stainless steel digester. Refining was carried out with a Sprout Waldron Model 105 10 h.p. disc refiner equipped with spiked tooth plate Nos. 17780R and 17779S. 
     The pulping conditions were the same in all three laboratory cooks set forth in Table 1. The cooks were presteamed for 10 minutes at 100 degrees C. The NSCMP liquor was preheated to 160 degrees C. and the aspen chips were preheated to 142 degrees C. A 4:1 liquor to wood ratio was retained in these tests although some water was added to the chips to prevent burning during the preheating process. The cooks were held for 15 min. at 165 degrees C. after transferring the NSCMP liquor onto the chips. 
     After cooking the chips were removed from the digester and fiberized hot in the refiner. The fiberized pulp was then washed with 150 degree F. water and dewatered using a press. At this point the total yield was obtained by determining the oven dry weight of the pulp from a consistency determination and dividing the pulp weight by the oven dry weight of the initial charge. 
     
                       TABLE 6                                                     
______________________________________                                    
LABORATORY COOKING DATA                                                   
Cook No.          300      301      302                                   
Identification    NSCMP    NSCMP    NSCMP                                 
                  CTMP     CTMP     CTMP                                  
Chip Type         ASPEN    ASPEN    ASPEN                                 
______________________________________                                    
Conditions                                                                
Chip Solids, %    53.54    53.63    54.35                                 
Chip Charge, O.D. Grams                                                   
                  1500     1500     1500                                  
Pre-Steam Time, min.                                                      
                  10       10       10                                    
Pre-Steam Temp, C.                                                        
                  100      100      100                                   
Water from Steam, ML                                                      
                  427      453      424                                   
&#34;Prex&#34; Time, min. --       --       --                                    
&#34;Prex&#34; Weight, tons                                                       
                  --       --       --                                    
Liquor: Wood Ratio                                                        
                  4:1      4:1      4:1                                   
Total Liquid, ML  6000     6000     6000                                  
Liquor Pre-Heat Temp, C.                                                  
                  160      160      160                                   
Liquor Pre-Heat Press, psi                                                
                  112      96       83                                    
Chip Pre-Heat Temp, C.                                                    
                  142      142      142                                   
Chip Pre-Heat Pressure, psi                                               
                  54       50       46                                    
Initial Digester Temp w/Liquor                                            
                  151      151      151                                   
Added, C.                                                                 
Initial Digester Press w/Liquor                                           
                  82       64       62                                    
Added, psi                                                                
Time Up, min.     10       10       12                                    
Hold Time w/Liquor, min.                                                  
                  15       15       15                                    
Cooking Temp, C.  165      165      165                                   
Cooking Pressure, average psi                                             
                  113      103      94                                    
Vapor Phase Hold Time, min.                                               
                  --       --       --                                    
Vapor Phase Hold Temp, C.                                                 
                  --       --       --                                    
Vapor Phase Hold Press, psi                                               
                  --       --       --                                    
Chemicals                                                                 
Chemical K-1, mls. (amine)                                                
                  125      125      125                                   
Chemical K-2, mls. (ammonium                                              
                  375      125      62.5                                  
hyd.)                                                                     
Water added, mls. 3762     4000     4097                                  
Steam Conden. pH  7.8      7.8      7.8                                   
Initial Liquor pH 11.43    11.20    11.13                                 
Residual Liquor pH                                                        
                  9.35     8.65     8.58                                  
Pulp Results                                                              
Total Yield, %    84.66    88.84    89.75                                 
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 7                                                     
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR COOK 300                                           
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  12       25       32                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 482      380      306                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.57     2.52     2.55                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  128.63   126.13   127.47                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .232     .213     .203                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .006     .005     .004                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .554     .592     .628                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.81     1.69     1.59                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  253.55   361.79   400.24                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  14.96    16.05    20.30                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  5.90     4.44     5.07                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  1.97     2.87     3.14                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 296.45   400.21   455.14                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  27.05    3.27     21.00                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  9.12     0.82     4.61                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  3.52     4.85     5.46                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  34.56    47.58    53.54                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.76     2.24     2.76                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.36     0.33     0.26                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  20.33    14.67    9.45                                  
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  659.23   648.36   627.84                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  89.48    79.30    55.49                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  13.57    12.23    8.84                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  5.13     5.14     4.93                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  33.45    108.40   248.95                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  19.80    19.40    19.20                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  231.30   299.80   350,06                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  8.65     4.30     2.21                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  3.74     1.43     0.63                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.26     1.65     1.65                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.14     0.07     0.12                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  10.85    4.43     7.19                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 8                                                     
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR COOK 301                                           
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  37       5        62                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 507      418      303                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.55     2.48     2.61                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  127.59   123.80   130.66                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mn                                                       
                  .236     .207     .202                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .005     .005     .005                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .541     .598     .647                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.85     1.67     1.55                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  278.36   345.95   439.31                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  15.26    23.60    30.68                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  5.48     6.82     6.98                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  2.18     2.79     3.36                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 345.28   413.29   490.89                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  16.71    3.27     22.53                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.84     0.79     4.59                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  4.14     5.10     5.74                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  40.58    50.06    56.33                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.82     2.26     2.94                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.22     0.23     0.17                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  11.91    10.19    5.69                                  
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  871.13   761.26   855.43                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  42.99    21.49    32.83                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.93     2.82     3.84                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  6.83     6.15     6.55                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  43.10    149.35   368.20                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  20.80    20.60    20.30                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  239.75   308.69   378.97                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  10.78    25.35    4.13                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.50     8.21     1.09                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.41     1.68     1.69                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.19     0.12     0.11                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  13.62    7.12     6.43                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 9                                                     
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR COOK 302                                           
Beating Times, Min.  178     198                                          
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc    407     307                                          
O.D. Sheet Wt.       2.58    2.56                                         
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                     128.92  128.11                                       
Caliper Avg. SS, mm  .224    .205                                         
Standard Deviation   .005    .005                                         
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                     .576    .625                                         
Bulk, cc/g           1.74    1.60                                         
Burst Average, Kpa   272.84  367.37                                       
Standard Deviation   17.35   32.10                                        
Coef. of Variation   6.36    8.74                                         
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                     2.12    2.87                                         
Tensile Avg. kN/m    367.51  455.55                                       
Standard Deviation   16.28   22.74                                        
Coef. of Variation   4.43    5.10                                         
Breaking Length, Km  4.36    5.32                                         
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                     42.74   52.15                                        
Stretch Avg., %      2.16    2.36                                         
Standard Deviation   0.17    0.22                                         
Coef. of Variation   7.75    9.28                                         
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN 722.02  690.62                                       
Standard Deviation   102.33  65.66                                        
Coef. of Variation   14.17   9.51                                         
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                     5.60    5.39                                         
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                     57.70   241.10                                       
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho  21.80   21.40                                        
Concora Med. Test, N 251.76  328.71                                       
Standard Deviation   10.31   8.76                                         
Coef. of Variation   4.10    2.66                                         
Ring Crush, kN/m     1.53    1.68                                         
Standard Deviation   0.10    0.14                                         
Coef. of Variation   6.43    8.21                                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The pulping conditions were based on a constant temperature instead of pressure. It was found that excessive vapor pressure resulted with the NSCMP liquor. As the percentage of ammonium hydroxide increased, the vapor pressure increased; and the yield systematically dropped, indicative of a greater degree of pulping. 
     The conditions and chemical concentrations from cook 301 were chosen as superior due to the physical strengths and yield. The concorra, ring crush and percent stretch increase slightly in cook 301. 
     A marked trend or significant increase in physical strength was not evident when comparing the three cooks. 
     Further tests to optimize were conducted at pilot plant level using a Sunds defibrator which is a continuous digester. It was found that vapor equilibrium, however, was maintained more efficiently in a batch digester which therefore may be more chemically economical. 
     A total of six pulping trials were made to duplicate and optimize cooking conditions. The ratio of monoethanolamine to ammonia was varied from 1:1 to 1:3.5 to obtain best pulping kenetics. In addition several refiner plate clearances were tried. 
     The pulping and refining conditions are shown in Table 10 and the physical tests are shown in Tables 11-15. 
     
                                           TABLE 10                                
__________________________________________________________________________
CONDITIONS USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF                                     
NSCMP CHEMITHERMOMECHANICAL PULP                                          
Run No. 2299     1  2   3   4   4A  5                                     
__________________________________________________________________________
Chip Moisture, % 47.64                                                    
                    47.64                                                 
                        47.64                                             
                            47.64                                         
                                47.64                                     
                                    47.64                                 
Infeed Hopper, Speed, r.p.m.                                              
                 13.0                                                     
                    13.5                                                  
                        13.5                                              
                            15.0                                          
                                15.0                                      
                                    15.0                                  
Presteaming Time, mins.                                                   
                 10 10  10  10  10  10                                    
Preheater Pressure, psig                                                  
                 90 90  90  95  98  98                                    
Temperature, degrees F.                                                   
                 330                                                      
                    330 330 325 325 325                                   
Retention Time, mins.                                                     
                 12.5                                                     
                    12.0                                                  
                        12.0                                              
                            12.5                                          
                                12.5                                      
                                    12.0                                  
Chip Level in Preheater, % Full                                           
                 90 80  80  80  80  80                                    
Refiner Pressure, psig                                                    
                 90 90  90  95  98  98                                    
Plate Clearance, mm                                                       
                 0.6                                                      
                    0.6 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.0                                   
Discharge Screw, r.p.m.                                                   
                 10 10  10  10  10  10                                    
Refiner Dilution Water, 1/min.                                            
                 0.6                                                      
                    0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4                                   
Chip Plug Pressure, psig                                                  
                 45 45  45  45  45  45                                    
Discharge Consistency, %                                                  
                 19.5                                                     
                    17.1                                                  
                        --  16.63                                         
                                --  --                                    
Pulp Freeness, C.S., cc                                                   
                 -- 746 748 --  742 766                                   
Production Rate, OD Tons/Day                                              
                 -- --  --  --  --  --                                    
Power Used (net) Kwh/Ton                                                  
                 -- --  --  --  --  --                                    
Yield, %         -- --  --  --  --  --                                    
Liquor-to-Digester, 1/min.                                                
                 1.70                                                     
                    1.70                                                  
                        2.20                                              
                            2.16                                          
                                2.16                                      
                                    2.16                                  
K-1:K-2 Ratio, as rec&#39;d.                                                  
                 1:1                                                      
                    1:1.37                                                
                        1:1.35                                            
                            1:1.35                                        
                                1:1.35                                    
                                    1:1.35                                
Liquor-to-Wood Ratio, Ca.                                                 
                 4:1                                                      
                    4:1 4:1 4:1 4:1 4:1                                   
__________________________________________________________________________
 Refiner Used                                                             
 Defibrator Pilot Plant Unit 300 with 200 hp. motor (3565 r.p.m.)         
 Discs Employed                                                           
 (a) Defibrator disc No. RW 3801 AGSE on Stator                           
 (b) Defibrator disc No. RW 3809 AGSE on Rotor                            
 Disc Diameter                                                            
 12 inches                                                                
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 11-A                              
__________________________________________________________________________
CONDITIONS USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF                                     
NSCMP CHEMITHERMOMECHANICAL PULP                                          
Run No. 2299     6*  Production                                           
__________________________________________________________________________
Chip Moisture, % 48.13                                                    
                     48.13                                                
                         48.13                                            
                             48.13                                        
                                 48.13                                    
                                     48.13                                
Infeed Hopper, Speed, r.p.m.                                              
                 16.0                                                     
                     16.0                                                 
                         16.0                                             
                             16.0                                         
                                 16.0                                     
                                     16.0                                 
Presteaming Time, mins.                                                   
                 10  10  10  10  10  10                                   
Preheater Pressure, psig                                                  
                 100 108 102 102 104 100                                  
Temperature, degrees F.                                                   
                 325 330 326 332 330 325                                  
Retention Time, mins.                                                     
                 12.0                                                     
                     12.0                                                 
                         12.0                                             
                             12.0                                         
                                 12.0                                     
                                     12.0                                 
Chip Level in Preheater,                                                  
                 80  80  80  80  80  80                                   
% Full                                                                    
Refiner Pressure, psig                                                    
                 100 108 102 102 104 100                                  
Plate Clearance, mm                                                       
                 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0                                  
Discharge Screw, r.p.m.                                                   
                 10  10  10  10  10  10                                   
Refiner Dilution Water, 1/min.                                            
                 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4                                  
Chip Plug Pressure, psig                                                  
                 47  47  47  47  47  47                                   
Discharge Consistency, %                                                  
                 19.95                                                    
                     19.95                                                
                         19.95                                            
                             19.95                                        
                                 19.95                                    
                                     19.95                                
Pulp Freeness, C.S., cc                                                   
                 747 747 747 747 747 747                                  
Production Rate, OD Tons/Day                                              
                 1.06                                                     
                     1.06                                                 
                         1.06                                             
                             1.06                                         
                                 1.06                                     
                                     1.06                                 
Power Used (net) Kwh/Ton                                                  
                 90.9                                                     
                     90.9                                                 
                         90.9                                             
                             90.9                                         
                                 90.9                                     
                                     90.9                                 
Yield, %         91.59                                                    
                     91.59                                                
                         91.59                                            
                             91.59                                        
                                 91.59                                    
                                     91.59                                
Liquor-to-Digester, 1/min.                                                
                 2.33                                                     
                     2.33                                                 
                         2.30                                             
                             2.30                                         
                                 2.12                                     
                                     2.12                                 
K-1:K-2 Ratio, as rec&#39;d.                                                  
                 1:1.35                                                   
                     1:1.35                                               
                         1:1.35                                           
                             1:1.35                                       
                                 1:1.35                                   
                                     1:1.35                               
Liquor-to-Wood Ratio, Ca.                                                 
                 4:1 4:1 4:1 4:1 4:1 4:1                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
 *Run No. 6 includes all production runs.                                 
 Refiner Used                                                             
 Defibrator Pilot Plant Unit 300 with 200 hp. motor (3565 r.p.m.)         
 Discs Employed                                                           
 (a) Defibrator disc No. RW 3801 AGSE on Stator                           
 (b) Defibrator disc No. RW 3809 AGSE on Rotor                            
 Disc Diameter                                                            
 12 inches                                                                
 
    
     
                                           TABLE 11-B                              
__________________________________________________________________________
CONDITIONS USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF                                     
NSCMP CHEMITHERMOMECHANICAL PULP                                          
Run No. 2299     Production    7    8                                     
__________________________________________________________________________
Chip Moisture, % 48.13                                                    
                      48.13                                               
                          48.13                                           
                               48.13                                      
                                    48.13                                 
Infeed Hopper, Speed, r.p.m.                                              
                 16.0 16.0                                                
                          16.0 16.0 16.0                                  
Presteaming Time, mins.                                                   
                 10   10  10   10   10                                    
Preheater Pressure, psig                                                  
                 110  108 100  102  102                                   
Temperature, degrees F.                                                   
                 3285 332 3306 3302 330                                   
Retention Time, mins.                                                     
                 12.0 12.0                                                
                          12.0 24.0 24.0                                  
Chip Level in Preheater,                                                  
                 80   80  80   80   80                                    
% Full                                                                    
Refiner Pressure, psig                                                    
                 110  108 100  102  --                                    
Plate Clearance, mm                                                       
                 1.0  1.0 1.0  1.0  --                                    
Discharge Screw, r.p.m.                                                   
                 10   10  10   10   --                                    
Refiner Dilution Water, 1/min.                                            
                 0.4  0.4 0.4  0.4  --                                    
Chip Plug Pressure, psig                                                  
                 47   48  48   48   48                                    
Discharge Consistency, %                                                  
                 19.95                                                    
                      19.95                                               
                          19.95                                           
                               --   --                                    
Pulp Freeness, C.S., cc                                                   
                 747  747 747  745  773                                   
Production Rate, OD Tons/Day                                              
                 1.06 1.06                                                
                          1.06 --   --                                    
Power Used (net) Kwh/Ton                                                  
                 90.9 90.9                                                
                          90.9 --   --                                    
Yield, %         91.59                                                    
                      91.59                                               
                          91.59                                           
                               --   --                                    
Liquor-to-Digester, 1/min.                                                
                 2.12 2.24                                                
                          2.24 2.24 2.24                                  
K-1:K-2 Ratio, as rec&#39;d.                                                  
                 1:1.35                                                   
                      1:1.35                                              
                          1:1.35                                          
                               1:1.35                                     
                                    1:1.35                                
Liquor-to-Wood Ratio, Ca.                                                 
                 4:1  4:1 4:1  4:1  4:1                                   
__________________________________________________________________________
 Refiner Used                                                             
 Defibrator Pilot Plant Unit 300 with 200 hp. motor (3565 r.p.m.)         
 Discs Employed                                                           
 (a) Defibrator disc No. RW 3801 AGSE on Stator                           
 (b) Defibrator disc No. RW 3809 AGSE on Rotor                            
 Disc Diameter                                                            
 12 inches                                                                
 
    
     
                       TABLE 12                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR DEFIBRATOR COOK 2                                  
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  74       92       105                                   
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 496      390      293                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.55     2.58     2.55                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  127.41   129.11   127.41                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .266     .26      .213                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .005     .004     .005                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .479     .497     .598                                  
Bulk, cc/g        2.09     2.01     1.67                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  110.79   155.30   216.55                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  9.73     5.89     14.20                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  8.79     3.79     6.56                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  0.87     1.20     1.70                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 196.18   247.62   307.79                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  9.75     20.31    15.90                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.97     8.20     5.17                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  2.35     2.93     3.69                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  23.09    28.76    36.22                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.28     1.44     1.60                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.11     0.30     0.20                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  8.56     20.60    12.50                                 
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  251.14   261.60   266.83                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  35.10    45.31    42.99                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  13.98    17.32    16.11                                 
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  1.97     2.03     2.09                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  12.27    28.27    91.60                                 
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  30.60    31.20    29.90                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  157.01   221.96   283.78                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  7.28     9.01     2.70                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.64     4.06     0.95                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  0.98     1.18     1.64                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.05     0.02     0.14                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  5.10     2.09     8.70                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 13                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR DEFIBRATOR COOK 3                                  
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  73       90       100                                   
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 494      408      311                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.52     2.60     2.57                                  
grams/meter(sq), oven dry                                                 
                  125.99   130.03   128.32                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .255     .243     .202                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .007     .005     .002                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .494     .535     .635                                  
Bulk, cc/g        2.02     1.87     1.57                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  118.03   185.69   230.75                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  9.03     6.04     10.66                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  7.65     3.25     4.62                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  0.94     1.43     1.80                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 212.75   287.73   335.25                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  22.10    17.97    16.63                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  10.39    6.25     4.96                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  2.58     3.38     3.99                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  25.32    33.18    39.17                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.28     1.68     1.92                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.23     0.23     0.23                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  17.82    13.57    11.88                                 
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  266.83   313.92   345.31                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  42.99    55.49    42.99                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  16.11    17.68    12.45                                 
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  2.12     2.41     2.69                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  12.43    40.97    137.30                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  30.00    30.20    29.00                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  159.68   254.87   310.47                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  6.10     9.39     1.40                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  3.82     3.68     0.45                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.00     1.42     1.56                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.07     0.07     0.17                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  6.60     5.17     10.63                                 
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 14                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR DEFIBRATOR COOK 4A                                 
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  52       65       76                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 479      402      303                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.52     2.51     2.56                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  126.19   125.56   127.81                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm.                                                      
                  .23      .215     .201                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .003     .003     .003                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .549     .584     .636                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.82     1.71     1.57                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  208.56   258.44   349.32                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  9.83     11.09    6.01                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.71     4.29     1.72                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  1.65     2.06     2.73                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 266.81   314.32   384.08                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  25.68    3.27     32.42                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  9.63     1.04     8.44                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  3.23     3.83     4.59                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  31.70    37.54    45.06                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.92     2.16     2.56                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.30     0.46     0.33                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  15.80    21.11    12.84                                 
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  517.97   549.36   565.06                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  70.19    0.00     35.10                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  13.55    0.00     6.21                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  4.10     4.38     4.42                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  17.47    48.97    158.63                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  27.40    27.50    27.00                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  243.75   292.01   346.28                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  14.94    17.73    5.42                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  6.13     6.07     1.56                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.11     1.42     1.56                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.20     0.11     0.13                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  17.90    7.70     8.61                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 15                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR DEFIBRATOR COOK 5                                  
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  59       74       87                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 505      393      282                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.53     2.55     2.54                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  126.74   127.46   126.92                                
Caliper.Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .235     .212     .191                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .002     .005     .006                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .539     .601     .665                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.86     1.66     1.50                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  204.22   246.46   329.20                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  9.59     20.05    17.94                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.70     8.14     5.45                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  1.61     1.93     2.59                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 269.42   325.22   379.72                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  17.61    3.27     10.04                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  6.54     1.01     2.64                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  3.25     3.90     4.57                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  31.88    38.26    44.86                                 
Stretch Avg., %.  2.00     2.16     2.28                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.14     0.09     0.36                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  7.07     4.14     15.94                                 
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  502.27   565.06   568.98                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  70.19    65.66    39.24                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  13.98    11.62    6.90                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  3.96     4.43     4.48                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  18.63    44.73    273.43                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  29.80    28.90    28.60                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  218.84   269.10   344.28                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  7.79     9.44     2.76                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  3.56     3.51     0.80                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.02     1.20     1.51                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.11     0.12     0.10                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  10.33    10.35    6.45                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 16                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR                                                    
PRODUCTION SAMPLE DRUM NO. 1 DIFIBRATOR                                   
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  45       57       64                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 492      391      302                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.58     2.56     2.57                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  128.93   127.85   128.57                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .206     .193     .18                                   
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .003     .004     .006                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .626     .662     .714                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.60     1.51     1.40                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  248.25   300.13   362.14                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  20.42    16.06    21.98                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  8.22     5.35     6.07                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  1.93     2.35     2.82                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 304.30   350.51   400.21                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  32.83    3.27     21.93                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  10.79    0.93     5.48                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  3.61     4.19     4.76                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  35.39    41.11    46.67                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.92     2.24     2.64                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.46     0.26     0.38                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  23.98    11.64    14.57                                 
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  580.75   565.06   580.75                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  42.99    35.10    42.99                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  7.40     6.21     7.40                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  4.50     4.42     4.52                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  51.83    121.93   310.10                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  26.60    26.40    26.10                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  295.79   323.81   350.50                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  11.00    11.73    3.58                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  3.72     3.62     1.02                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.36     1.40     1.47                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.19     0.16     0.13                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  14.33    11.12    8.58                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Run Nos. 2299-7 and 2299-8 were made to determine if the Sunds refiner plates were ideally suited to preserve tear and if extending pulping time would increase the physical paper properties significantly. 
     The retention time was increased from 12 to 24 minutes in both cooks. Run No. 2299-7 was treated identically to the production run with the exception of retention time. Run No. 2299-8 was held 24 minutes in the digester and then the chips were removed and defibered in the Sprout Walden refiner. Secondary refining was performed on both samples in a valley beater to ensure identical treatment. The physical test data are shown in Tables 17 and 18. As shown, the physical properties are improved when different refining conditions are used. 
     The pulp was then fed to a Sprout Waldron 36-2 disc refiner powered by a 4-speed, 300 hp motor operated at 1800 r.p.m., wherein deshiving occurred. Deshiving data are shown in Table 19. 
     Deshived pulp was then washed by processing over the wet end of a 36&#34; Fourdrinier paper machine. Washed pulp was refined in a 3-pass operation at a consistency of 3.1% to a C.S. (Canadian Standard) freeness of 365. Refining was accomplished by pulping from one chest through the refiner into another chest. Refining data are shown at Table 20. 
     Waste clippings were dispersed in a hydrapulper and passed through a twin flow refiner at a wide plate clearance to disperse any fiber bundles. Freeness before the twin flow was 541 C.S.F. and after the twin flow was 435 C.S.F. 
     Two papers were produced. One paper consisted of 85% NSCMP aspen and 15% clippings and the other was 100% NSCMP aspen. Both papers ran well and a large role was produced from each. Each furnish was pumped from the machine chest through a Foxboro Flow Controller to the suction of a fan pump. Thick stock was diluted with white water from the wire to the required paper making consistency at the fan pump. The fiber slurry was pumped from the fan pump through a 5-pipe manifold inlet to the head box. Paper produced was wound on 3-inch fiber cores. 
     The paper making test data are shown on Table 21. Dry end paper test data are shown on Table 22. 
     
                       TABLE 17                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR                                                    
PULP SAMPLE PASSING THROUGH REFINER                                       
(DIGESTER HOLD TIME: 24 MIN.)                                             
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  41       51       60                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 494      389      315                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.55     2.57     2.54                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  127.63   128.27   126.90                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .224     .216     .199                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .005     .006     .004                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .57      .594     .638                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.75     1.68     1.57                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  236.05   281.53   356.76                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  15.23    10.68    11.30                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  6.45     3.79     3.17                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  1.85     2.19     2.81                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 5.17     5.36     6.33                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.18     0.18     0.53                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  3.58     3.36     8.37                                  
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                  4.13     4.26     5.08                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  40.46    41.79    49.84                                 
Stretch Avg., %   2.20     1.80     3.15                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.14     0.28     0.21                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  6.43     15.71    6.73                                  
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  674.93   627.84   612.14                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  32.83    27.75    35.10                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.86     4.42     5.73                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  5.29     4.89     4.82                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  21.40    46.93    137.33                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  24.80    24.73    24.63                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  264.21   310.47   370.52                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  11.13    11.25    3.62                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.21     3.62     0.98                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.39     1.45     1.61                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.13     0.11     0.07                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  9.11     7.62     4.23                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 18                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR                                                    
CHIPS REMOVED FROM THE DIGESTER AND                                       
DEFIBERED IN A LABORATORY REFINER (12&#34; DISC)                              
(DIGESTER HOLD TIME: 25 MIN.)                                             
Beating Times, Min.                                                       
                  36       47       62                                    
______________________________________                                    
Freeness C.S., cc 502      404      305                                   
O.D. Sheet Wt.    2.56     2.56     2.57                                  
grams/meter (sq), oven dry                                                
                  127.89   127.80   128.43                                
Caliper Avg. SS, mm                                                       
                  .23      .227     .2                                    
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  .003     .006     .003                                  
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                  .556     .563     .642                                  
Bulk, cc/g        1.80     1.78     1.56                                  
Burst Average, Kpa                                                        
                  233.09   280.97   381.02                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  22.22    11.42    18.93                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  9.53     4.06     4.97                                  
Burst Index kPa*m(sq)/g                                                   
                  1.82     2.20     2.97                                  
Tensile Avg. kN/m 5.02     5.92     7.36                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.39     0.14     0.09                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  7.77     2.36     1.22                                  
Breaking Length, Kmw                                                      
                  4.00     4.72     5.84                                  
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                  39.23    46.29    57.26                                 
Stretch Avg., %   1.85     2.10     2.55                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.35     0.14     0.21                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  19.11    6.73     8.32                                  
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                  753.41   729.86   706.32                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  32.83    35.10    27.75                                 
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  4.36     4.81     3.93                                  
Tear Index mN*m(sq)/g                                                     
                  5.89     5.71     5.50                                  
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                  31.07    66.40    176.90                                
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                  26.17    26.73    25.97                                 
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                  237.97   283.78   335.38                                
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  8.45     10.85    2.01                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  3.55     3.83     0.60                                  
Ring Crush, kN/m  1.34     1.53     1.62                                  
Standard Deviation                                                        
                  0.13     0.08     0.08                                  
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                  9.67     5.18     4.81                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 19                                                    
______________________________________                                    
DESHIVING DATA, 36-2 DISC REFINER                                         
Run No. 2299-1                                                            
______________________________________                                    
Plate Pattern, Rotor                                                      
                   D14A002                                                
Stator             D14A002                                                
Ring Pattern       17709                                                  
Refiner Speed, r.p.m.                                                     
                   1800                                                   
Type Feed          Belt Conveyor                                          
Type Pulp          NSCMP Aspen                                            
Refining Consistency, %                                                   
                    25                                                    
OD Tons/Day Production                                                    
                   6.12                                                   
HP Days/OD Ton, Gross                                                     
                   11.4                                                   
Net                 5.8                                                   
Freeness to Refiner, 3 g., C.S.                                           
                   750                                                    
from Refiner, 3 g., C.S.                                                  
                   654                                                    
Plate Clearance, Mils                                                     
                   +8                                                     
Ring Clearance, Mils                                                      
                   Off                                                    
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 20                                                    
______________________________________                                    
12&#34; TWIN FLOW REFINER DATA                                                
Pass No.          1        2        3                                     
______________________________________                                    
Plate Patter, Stator Motor End                                            
                  D5A007                                                  
Rotor Motor End   D5A007                                                  
Rotor Cylinder End                                                        
                  D5A008                                                  
Stator Cylinder End                                                       
                  D5A008                                                  
Refiner Speed, r.p.m.                                                     
                  1800                                                    
Total Amperage    90       90       80                                    
Idle Amperage     70       70       70                                    
Refining Amperage 20       20       10                                    
Refining Consistency, %                                                   
                  3.10     3.10     3.10                                  
Flow Rate, g.p.m. 120      120      140                                   
OD Tons/Day Production                                                    
                  22.3     22.3     26.1                                  
HP Days/OD Ton, Gross                                                     
                  3.6      3.6      2.7                                   
Net               0.79     0.79     0.34                                  
Freeness to Refiner, 3 g, C.S.                                            
                  636      536      426                                   
from Refiner, 3 g., C.S.                                                  
                  536      426      365                                   
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 21                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PAPER MACHINE DATA                                                        
Run Number             2299-1  2299-2                                     
______________________________________                                    
Furnish, %                                                                
NSCMP Aspen            85      100                                        
Clippings              15      --                                         
Chest Freeness, C.S., ml.                                                 
                       410     386                                        
Consistency, %         2.29    2.63                                       
pH                     8.2     8.3                                        
Headbox Freeness, C.S., ml.                                               
                       356     369                                        
Consistency, %         0.63    0.60                                       
pH                     8.1     8.1                                        
Homogenizing Roll, r.p.m.                                                 
                       150     150                                        
Top                                                                       
Shake, Strokes per Minute                                                 
                       190     190                                        
Machine Speed, f.p.m.  70      70                                         
Vacuum in Hg., 1st Box 4.0     4.0                                        
2nd Box                4.5     4.5                                        
3rd Box                4.5     4.5                                        
4th Box                4.0     4.0                                        
Couch                  7.0     6.0                                        
Pressing PLI, 1st Press                                                   
                       180     180                                        
2nd Press              160     160                                        
Pressing PLI, Calender, 1 Nip                                             
                       50      50                                         
Drier Pressure, psig                                                      
1st Section, Drier #1  30      20                                         
#2                     30      20                                         
#3 &amp; #4                30      20                                         
#5, #6, &amp; #7           30      20                                         
2nd Section, Drier #                                                      
#8, #10, &amp; #12         30      20                                         
#9 &amp; #11               30      20                                         
Target, g/m.sup.2      118     118                                        
Date of Run, July 1983 29      29                                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 22                                                    
______________________________________                                    
DRY END PAPER TEST DATA                                                   
Run  Basis Wt.                 Moisture Content                           
No.  gm/.sup.2  Caliper - Mils        %                                   
2299 Front   Back   Front Middle                                          
                                Back % O.D. Moisture                      
______________________________________                                    
Start                                                                     
     119.8   119.8  8.6   8.7   8.8  95.0   5.0                           
End  123.0   123.0  8.9   8.9   8.9  94.4   5.6                           
Start                                                                     
     117.5   117.5  8.4   8.5   8.2  94.9   5.1                           
2                                                                         
End  118.5   118.5  8.3   8.5   8.4  94.0   6.0                           
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE 23                                                    
______________________________________                                    
PHYSICAL TEST DATA FOR SAMPLES FROM                                       
RUN 1 AND 2                                                               
                 Run 1   Run 1   Run 2 Run 2                              
Sample ID        MD      CD      MD    CD                                 
______________________________________                                    
grams/meter (sq.),                                                        
                 132.00          128.30                                   
conditioned basis                                                         
grams/meter (sq.), Oven dry                                               
                 121.50          117.82                                   
Caliper Avg. SS, mm.                                                      
                 .225            .214                                     
Std. dev.        .004            .007                                     
Apparent Density g/cc                                                     
                 .587            .6                                       
Bulk, cc/g       1.70            1.67                                     
Burst Average, kPa                                                        
                 232.81          193.13                                   
Standard Deviation                                                        
                 11.94           27.79                                    
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                 5.13            14.39                                    
Burst Index mN*m(sq.)/g                                                   
                 1.76            1.51                                     
Tensile Avg. kN/m                                                         
                 6.45    3.95    6.02  2.81                               
Standard Deviation                                                        
                 0.57    0.10    0.41  0.04                               
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                 8.87    2.44    6.89. 1.36                               
Breaking Length, Km                                                       
                 4.99    3.05    4.79  2.23                               
Tensile Index, kN*m/kg                                                    
                 48.88   29.91   46.96 21.89                              
Tensile MD/CO Ratio                                                       
                 1.63            2.15                                     
Stretch Avg., %  1.66    2.69    1.34  2.43                               
Standard Deviation                                                        
                 0.11    0.18    0.13  0.15                               
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                 6.67    6.69    9.89  6.26                               
Tear Avg., 16 ply mN                                                      
                 903.15  1017.10 432.58                                   
                                       725.16                             
Standard Deviation                                                        
                 91.16   128.19  77.45 23.28                              
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                 10.09   12.60   17.90 3.21                               
Tear Index mN*m(sq.)/g                                                    
                 6.84    7.71    3.37  5.65                               
Wet Web Breaking 44.90           23.00                                    
Length, m                                                                 
Wet Web Stretch, %                                                        
                 3.4             2.22                                     
Gurley Air Resistance                                                     
                 8.77            9.37                                     
sec/100 cc 20 oz. cyl.                                                    
Brightness, Elrepho                                                       
                 21.10           21.83                                    
Concora Med. Test, N                                                      
                 255.76          269.10                                   
Standard Deviation                                                        
                 24.29           6.26                                     
Coef. of Variation                                                        
                 9.5             2.33                                     
Ring Crush, kN/m         1.22          1.02                               
Standard Deviation       .07           .15                                
Coef. of Variation       6.00          14.75                              
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     In summary, it has been discovered that superior container media pulp can be produced from hardwood according to the process of this invention on a continuous basis wherein the pulping liquor is a dilute aqueous solution of a lower alkanolamine and ammonium hydroxide wherein the weight ratio is one part amine to about one to about three parts ammonium hydroxide. In one preferred embodiment substantially equal concentrations of the amine and ammonium hydroxide are present. In another preferred embodiment a ratio of 1:3 was preferred. Successful tests have been conducted at other ratios. While the strength characteristics remain roughly equivalent between pulps produced with higher concentrations of ammonia, in a continuous process superior pulps are produced when the concentration of ammonia remains about equal to that of the amine. In the preferred embodiments the weight ratio of liquor to chips is maintained at about 4:1. While the ratio of amine to chips remains unchanged, in a continuous operation a greater yield is achieved by lowering the concentration of ammonia. 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.