Akt/Protein Kinase B plays an important role in many biological responses including cell survival, proliferation, and nutrient metabolism. Activation of Akt/PKB by growth factors involves PIP3 binding, membrane translocation and the phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473 residues by PDK1 and PDK2, respectively. Dephosphorylation and AKT binding proteins were two inhibitory mechanisms for AKT. Carboxyl-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) has been demonstrated to bind to carboxyl-terminus of Akt and as a regulator on plasma membrane. However, the interaction region of CTMP to Akt is still unknown. On the other hand, contradict results of positive and negative effects to AKT activity were reported. In this study, we firstly demonstrated the CTMP protein level shows positive correlation with Akt phosphorylation and cell proliferation in human breast cancer cell. The interaction of CTMP and phosphorylation Akt by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence experiments shows that CTMP may be involved in regulating Akt phosphrylation. The results of GST pull down assay demonstrated that the direct binding and revealed more then one interaction region of CTMP to Akt. Interestingly, in HeLa cells, transiently or stably expressing CTMP can directly promote Akt phosphorylation even in basal state and significantly increase the phosphorylation at both Thr308 and Ser473 of Akt upon the insulin stimulation in the pre-starvation condition. When compared the cell growth of HeLa cells in 10% serum condition using cell proliferation and soft-agar colony forming assay, rapid cell proliferation and colony number increase were observed in cells stably expressing CTMP suggesting that CTMP may be involved in the regulation of Akt-mediated cell growth. The analogous results were also obtained from colony formation assay with different condition from 10% to 1% serum. The result of cell cycle distribution shows that the increasment of cell proliferation rate may due to the increasment of cell cycle progression in CTMP stable clones. Furthermore, CTMP stable clone promote tumor growth and metastasis in xenograft animal model. Together, these results indicated that the binding of CTMP positively modulate Akt and thus increase insulin sensitivity in HeLa cells.

Na escala evolutiva dos processos de polpação de alto rendimento (PAR), a mais recente promessa é a biopolpação, ou seja, o pré-tratamento microbiológico do cavaco de madeira utilizado na polpação. Esse pré-tratamento tem o potencial de reduzir o consumo de energia necessária ao refino em até 38%, e ainda, ou consequentemente, melhorar importantes propriedades mecânicas deficientes nas PAR, como rasgo, estouro, e tração. Enorme atenção foi dispensada ao assunto nos últimos 20 anos com importantes avanços na compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos, e ainda, com a condução de testes em escala piloto (50 ton de cavacos) por inoculação direta do fungo. Entretanto, esses testes foram conduzidos e se mostraram eficazes num clima temperado, com madeira típica da América do Norte. O presente trabalho detalha o desenvolvimento, implantação e operação de uma planta piloto para biotratamento de cavacos (inoculação e incubação) de Eucalyptus grandis, usados num processo de escala industrial de polpação termimecânica (TMP) e quimiotermomecânico (CTMP). Também estão detalhados nessa tese os esforços para se alcançar a eficácia desejada desse biotratamento. Vários testes em diferentes escalas - incluindo 40-50 ton - foram conduzidos em diferentes épocas do ano, sob as condições normalmente encontradas nos pátios de cavacos da indústria de celulose. Diferentes fungos (Ceriporiopsis subvermispora e Phanerochaete chrysosporium) e sistemas de inoculação (inoculação por aspersão e inoculação por semente) foram testados, e o escalonamento de um processo anteriormente factível apenas em nível laboratorial foi desenvolvido. Os resultados mostram que os sistemas de inoculação de C. subvermispora por aspersão com micélio suspenso em água e um auxiliar de crescimento foram sujeitos à contaminação dos cultivos por bolores primários, de ocorrência natural no ambiente de pátios de cavacos de indústrias de celulose. Por outro lado, o sistema de inoculação com cavacos pré-cultivados (inoculação por semente) mostrou-se eficaz na escala piloto, pois não esteve sujeito a ocorrência de contaminantes durante a incubação dos cavacos. Esse sistema de inoculação gerou resultados condizentes com a literatura em termos de economia de energia de refino que foram de 18% e 27% nos processos TMP e CTMP, respectivamente. No caso da inoculação por aspersão com P. chrysosporium, os cultivos não apresentaram contaminação por bolores primários, provavelmente devido à temperatura de incubação que nesse caso foi de 38 oC. Nesse experimento foi possível reduzir o consumo de energia em 18,5% no processo CTMP. Uma avaliação da viabilidade financeira do processo é apresentada e simulações de benefícios econômicos foram feitas para diferentes cenários de custo de energia elétrica e níveis de redução no consumo de energia. As simulações mostraram que benefícios econômicos da ordem de R$10/ton de polpa produzida podem ser obtidos para uma redução no consumo de energia da ordem de 20% advinda do biotratamento. Embora esperados, ganhos de propriedades mecânicas das biopolpas quando comparadas às polpas convencionais não foram observados, fato que limitou a extensão da análise econômica de considerar um processo integrado com máquina de papel na substituição de polpa kraft por polpas bio-CTMP ou bio-TMP. / In the evolution of the high yield pulping processes (HYP) biopulping have been considered the latest promise. Biopulping, defined as the microbiological pretreatment of wood chips prior to the pulping process, have the potential to reduce the refining energy consumption in 38%. Besides this benefit, or consequently, it can also enhance important mechanical properties usually poor in HYP pulps like tear, burst and tensile strength. Considerable efforts have been deposited in this issue during the last 20 years with important advances on understanding the involved mechanisms. Between these efforts trials were conducted in a pilot scale (50 ton of wood chips) by the direct spraying of the fungus. However such successful tests were conducted in a region of temperate climate, with a wood typically found in North America. The present work details the development, installation and operation of a pilot plant to biotreat (inoculation and incubation) Eucalyptus grandis wood chips used in an industrial thermomechanical (TMP) and chemithermomechanical (CTMP) mill. The efforts spent to reach the desired efficacy of this biotreatment are also presented. Several trials with different scales - including 40-50 ton trials - were conducted in different seasons, under the conditions normally found in woodyards of a tropical pulp mill. Different fungi (Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Phanerochaete chrysosporium) and different inoculation systems (by direct spraying and by seed introduction) were tested, and one of them developed at the first time in this pilot scale. The results show that when C. subvermispora was used with the direct spraying systems of the mycelium suspended in water with corn steep liquor the pile was strongly contaminated by primary molds of natural occurrence at an industrial woodyard tropical environment. On the other hand, the inoculation using pre-cultivated wood chips (seed system) was successfully conducted in pilot scale since it does not showed expressive contamination during the incubation period. The refining of the wood chips prepared by seed inoculation resulted in energy savings of 18% and 27% for the TMP and CTMP processes, respectively. By using the P. chrysosporium the pile was not contaminated by primary molds either, probably due to the higher incubation temperature, around 38 oC. The CTMP processing of the wood chips incubated in this experiment refining energy saving of 18.5% was observed. An economic evaluation of the biopulping process is presented and saving of R$10/ton was simulated for a 20% reduction in refining energy saving. The enhancement of the mechanical properties of the biopulp compared to the reference was not observed, regardless being expected. This fact limited the extension of the economical simulation, since the replacement of kraft pulp by bio-TMP or bio-CTMP is usually considered in an integrated paper mill.

O branqueamento de polpa quimiotermomecânica (CTMP) normalmente é realizado empregando peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) em meio alcalino. Esta etapa produz elevados volumes de efluentes, que por necessitarem de tratamento adequado, favorecem o aumento dos gastos no processo industrial. A utilização de dióxido de carbono (CO2) líquido em condições sub/supercríticas pode contribuir para a redução na quantidade de efluentes líquidos, gerados nas etapas de branqueamento, devido à volatilização do dióxido de carbono ao final da reação, minimizando gastos e possíveis impactos ambientais. O presente trabalho foi realizado visando melhorias na etapa de branqueamento de polpa CTMP de Eucalyptus, tendo por objetivo principal o estudo exploratório do comportamento da polpa, ao empregar soluções aquosas de H2O2, na presença de CO2 em estado sub/supercrítico, em pH ácido. Este sistema de reação foi denominado pela sigla P(SC/CO2-ácido). Foram estudados os efeitos das variáveis: pressão, temperatura, tempo de reação, consistência da polpa e porcentagem de H2O2 sobre a eficiência do branqueamento. Os resultados foram comparados com métodos convencionais de branqueamento, realizados em banho termostatizado, em pH alcalino. Verificou-se também o efeito da pressão, substituindo o fluido CO2 por N2 (nitrogênio) a 150 bar em condições sub/supercríticas, utilizando tanto pH alcalino (sistema P(SC/N2-alcalino)) quanto pH ácido (sistema P(SC/N2-ácido)). As condições mais adequadas ao branqueamento P(SC/CO2-ácido) foram: 16% de H2O2, 180 minutos, 20% de consistência, 70°C e 73 bar. Além disso, foi realizado um estudo com modelos de lignina para verificar a ocorrência de reação na presença de H2O2 e CO2 e quais produtos são obtidos nestas condições. O método de branqueamento convencional, desenvolvido em meio alcalino, possibilitou a obtenção de alvuras mais elevadas (80°GE) em relação ao método realizado em condições sub/supercríticas, na presença de CO2 (61°GE). Apesar disso, o branqueamento empregando o sistema P(SC/CO2-ácido) revelou resultados interessantes: possibilitou acréscimo no valor de alvura da polpa, sem causar degradação acentuada das fibras, mesmo em condições de elevadas pressões e concentração de H2O2; e permitiu redução no volume de água consumido, o que levou à produção de menor volume de efluentes líquidos. O método utilizando o sistema P(SC/N2-alcalino) apresentou valores de alvuras (79°GE) comparáveis ao método convencional. Os estudos empregando modelos de lignina apresentaram resultados que fornecem suporte para confirmar a ocorrência de oxidação. / The bleaching of chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) is usually performed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in alkaline medium. This stage produces high quantity of effluent to be treated, increasing the costs of the industrial process. The usage of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) under sub/supercritical conditions can help in reducing the amount of liquid effluents generated in the bleaching stages, due to the carbon dioxide volatilization at the end of the reaction, minimizing costs and possible environmental impacts. This work aimed at improving the bleaching stage of Eucalyptus CTMP, being the main objective the exploratory study of the pulp behavior, by using aqueous solutions of H2O2 in the presence of CO2 under sub/supercritical conditions in acid pH. This reaction system was named as P (SC/CO2-acid) symbol. It was studied the effects of the variables: pressure, temperature, pulp consistency and percentage of H2O2 on the bleaching efficiency. The results were compared with conventional bleaching carried out in polyethylene bags in a heated water bath in alkaline pH. It was also verified the pressure effects by replacing the use of CO2 by N2 at 150 bar in sub/supercritical conditions, in alkaline pH (P(SC/N2-alkaline) system) and acid pH (P(SC/N2-acid) system). The most appropriate P (SC/CO2-acid) bleaching conditions were: 16% H2O2, 180 minutes, 20% pulp consistency, 70°C and 73 bar. Furthermore, a study was conducted with lignin models to verify the occurrence of reaction with H2O2 and CO2, and the products obtained in these conditions. The cellulosic substrate, in general, showed a low deterioration, even considering the conditions of high pressures and peroxide concentrations. The conventional bleaching method, performed in alkaline medium, gave higher brightness (80°GE) than the method carried out under CO2 in sub/supercritical conditions (61°GE). However, the bleaching using the P(SC/CO2-acid) system showed interesting results: increasing of the pulp brightness, without causing severe degradation of the fibers, even in conditions of high pressure and peroxide concentration; and it reduced the volume of water consumed, leading to lower production of liquid effluents. The P(SC/N2-alkaline) method showed brightness values (79°GE) comparables with the conventional method. Studies using lignin models showed results that support the confirmation of occurrence of oxidation reactions.

Arbetet handlade om att ta reda på om det går att byta ut natriumhydroxid mot natriumkarbonat som alkalikälla på CTMP-linjen, och gjordes på uppdrag av Stora Enso Skoghalls bruk. De områdena som studerades var impregnering och blekning av CTMP (kemitermomekanisk pappersmassa) samt hantering av natriumkarbonatlösning. Natriumkarbonatens löslighet vid olika temperaturer verifierades, blekning av CTMP med natriumkarbonat och natriumhydroxid utfördes, titrering av natriumhydroxid och natriumkarbonat mot natriumbisulfitlösning och en enklare laborationsimpregnering gjordes. Även aspekten av utrustning, kostnader och eventuell utfällning av kalciumkarbonat studerades. Resultaten visade att det krävs mer natriumkarbonat för att ersätta natriumhydroxid än vad man trott och att det totalt sett blir dyrare. Det finns dock en möjlighet att andra delar av bruket kan utföra bytet av alkali och gå med större vinst än vad CTMP-linjen går med förlust. Försöken visade även på temperaturökning vid tillredning av natriumkarbonatlösningen, utfällning av kristallsoda och behov av att den befintliga utrustningen kompletteras utifrån rekommendationer från kemikalieleverantören. Tidigare studier visade på eventuella försämringar av papperskvaliteten när natriumkarbonat används vid blekning av CTMP. Trots att natriumkarbonat är ett billigare alternativ till natriumhydroxid, och att det teoretiskt sett skulle fungera bra som en utbrytare, är det mycket som man behöver ta hänsyn till vad gäller natriumkarbonat och det krävs eftertanke för att saker ska görs på rätt sätt. Utifrån resultaten kan man dra slutsatsen att det inte ser ut som en bra ide att utföra bytet. / The objective of this project was to see if it is possible to replace sodium hydroxide with sodium carbonate as an alkali source on the CTMP line, and it was done on behalf of the Stora Enso Skoghall Mill. The areas that were studied were the impregnation and bleaching of CTMP and also the handling of sodium carbonate solution. The solubility of sodium carbonate at various temperatures was confirmed, bleaching of CTMP with sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, titration of the sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate against sodium bisulfite solution and a simpler laboratory impregnation was performed. Aspects of equipment, costs and the possibility of precipitation of calcium carbonate were also studied. The results indicate that more sodium carbonate is needed than one thought for the substitution to be possible, and that it also becomes more expensive. There is a possibility that other parts of the mill can perform the replacement of alkali and go with greater profit than the CTMP line goes with loss. Experiments also showed an increase in temperature when preparing the sodium carbonate solution, precipitation of natron and the need for the existing equipment to be supplemented on the basis of recommendations from the chemical supplier. Previous studies showed possible deterioration of the paper quality when bleaching CTMP with sodium carbonate. Although sodium carbonate is a cheaper alternative to sodium hydroxide, and that it would theoretically work well as a substitute, it is much that one has to take into consideration in terms of using sodium carbonate and it is necessary to think things through before usage, so that things can be done properly. Based on the results, it is shown that the swap of alkali will be suboptimal.

O branqueamento de polpa quimiotermomecânica (CTMP) normalmente é realizado empregando peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) em meio alcalino. Esta etapa produz elevados volumes de efluentes, que por necessitarem de tratamento adequado, favorecem o aumento dos gastos no processo industrial. A utilização de dióxido de carbono (CO2) líquido em condições sub/supercríticas pode contribuir para a redução na quantidade de efluentes líquidos, gerados nas etapas de branqueamento, devido à volatilização do dióxido de carbono ao final da reação, minimizando gastos e possíveis impactos ambientais. O presente trabalho foi realizado visando melhorias na etapa de branqueamento de polpa CTMP de Eucalyptus, tendo por objetivo principal o estudo exploratório do comportamento da polpa, ao empregar soluções aquosas de H2O2, na presença de CO2 em estado sub/supercrítico, em pH ácido. Este sistema de reação foi denominado pela sigla P(SC/CO2-ácido). Foram estudados os efeitos das variáveis: pressão, temperatura, tempo de reação, consistência da polpa e porcentagem de H2O2 sobre a eficiência do branqueamento. Os resultados foram comparados com métodos convencionais de branqueamento, realizados em banho termostatizado, em pH alcalino. Verificou-se também o efeito da pressão, substituindo o fluido CO2 por N2 (nitrogênio) a 150 bar em condições sub/supercríticas, utilizando tanto pH alcalino (sistema P(SC/N2-alcalino)) quanto pH ácido (sistema P(SC/N2-ácido)). As condições mais adequadas ao branqueamento P(SC/CO2-ácido) foram: 16% de H2O2, 180 minutos, 20% de consistência, 70°C e 73 bar. Além disso, foi realizado um estudo com modelos de lignina para verificar a ocorrência de reação na presença de H2O2 e CO2 e quais produtos são obtidos nestas condições. O método de branqueamento convencional, desenvolvido em meio alcalino, possibilitou a obtenção de alvuras mais elevadas (80°GE) em relação ao método realizado em condições sub/supercríticas, na presença de CO2 (61°GE). Apesar disso, o branqueamento empregando o sistema P(SC/CO2-ácido) revelou resultados interessantes: possibilitou acréscimo no valor de alvura da polpa, sem causar degradação acentuada das fibras, mesmo em condições de elevadas pressões e concentração de H2O2; e permitiu redução no volume de água consumido, o que levou à produção de menor volume de efluentes líquidos. O método utilizando o sistema P(SC/N2-alcalino) apresentou valores de alvuras (79°GE) comparáveis ao método convencional. Os estudos empregando modelos de lignina apresentaram resultados que fornecem suporte para confirmar a ocorrência de oxidação. / The bleaching of chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) is usually performed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in alkaline medium. This stage produces high quantity of effluent to be treated, increasing the costs of the industrial process. The usage of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) under sub/supercritical conditions can help in reducing the amount of liquid effluents generated in the bleaching stages, due to the carbon dioxide volatilization at the end of the reaction, minimizing costs and possible environmental impacts. This work aimed at improving the bleaching stage of Eucalyptus CTMP, being the main objective the exploratory study of the pulp behavior, by using aqueous solutions of H2O2 in the presence of CO2 under sub/supercritical conditions in acid pH. This reaction system was named as P (SC/CO2-acid) symbol. It was studied the effects of the variables: pressure, temperature, pulp consistency and percentage of H2O2 on the bleaching efficiency. The results were compared with conventional bleaching carried out in polyethylene bags in a heated water bath in alkaline pH. It was also verified the pressure effects by replacing the use of CO2 by N2 at 150 bar in sub/supercritical conditions, in alkaline pH (P(SC/N2-alkaline) system) and acid pH (P(SC/N2-acid) system). The most appropriate P (SC/CO2-acid) bleaching conditions were: 16% H2O2, 180 minutes, 20% pulp consistency, 70°C and 73 bar. Furthermore, a study was conducted with lignin models to verify the occurrence of reaction with H2O2 and CO2, and the products obtained in these conditions. The cellulosic substrate, in general, showed a low deterioration, even considering the conditions of high pressures and peroxide concentrations. The conventional bleaching method, performed in alkaline medium, gave higher brightness (80°GE) than the method carried out under CO2 in sub/supercritical conditions (61°GE). However, the bleaching using the P(SC/CO2-acid) system showed interesting results: increasing of the pulp brightness, without causing severe degradation of the fibers, even in conditions of high pressure and peroxide concentration; and it reduced the volume of water consumed, leading to lower production of liquid effluents. The P(SC/N2-alkaline) method showed brightness values (79°GE) comparables with the conventional method. Studies using lignin models showed results that support the confirmation of occurrence of oxidation reactions.

Na escala evolutiva dos processos de polpação de alto rendimento (PAR), a mais recente promessa é a biopolpação, ou seja, o pré-tratamento microbiológico do cavaco de madeira utilizado na polpação. Esse pré-tratamento tem o potencial de reduzir o consumo de energia necessária ao refino em até 38%, e ainda, ou consequentemente, melhorar importantes propriedades mecânicas deficientes nas PAR, como rasgo, estouro, e tração. Enorme atenção foi dispensada ao assunto nos últimos 20 anos com importantes avanços na compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos, e ainda, com a condução de testes em escala piloto (50 ton de cavacos) por inoculação direta do fungo. Entretanto, esses testes foram conduzidos e se mostraram eficazes num clima temperado, com madeira típica da América do Norte. O presente trabalho detalha o desenvolvimento, implantação e operação de uma planta piloto para biotratamento de cavacos (inoculação e incubação) de Eucalyptus grandis, usados num processo de escala industrial de polpação termimecânica (TMP) e quimiotermomecânico (CTMP). Também estão detalhados nessa tese os esforços para se alcançar a eficácia desejada desse biotratamento. Vários testes em diferentes escalas - incluindo 40-50 ton - foram conduzidos em diferentes épocas do ano, sob as condições normalmente encontradas nos pátios de cavacos da indústria de celulose. Diferentes fungos (Ceriporiopsis subvermispora e Phanerochaete chrysosporium) e sistemas de inoculação (inoculação por aspersão e inoculação por semente) foram testados, e o escalonamento de um processo anteriormente factível apenas em nível laboratorial foi desenvolvido. Os resultados mostram que os sistemas de inoculação de C. subvermispora por aspersão com micélio suspenso em água e um auxiliar de crescimento foram sujeitos à contaminação dos cultivos por bolores primários, de ocorrência natural no ambiente de pátios de cavacos de indústrias de celulose. Por outro lado, o sistema de inoculação com cavacos pré-cultivados (inoculação por semente) mostrou-se eficaz na escala piloto, pois não esteve sujeito a ocorrência de contaminantes durante a incubação dos cavacos. Esse sistema de inoculação gerou resultados condizentes com a literatura em termos de economia de energia de refino que foram de 18% e 27% nos processos TMP e CTMP, respectivamente. No caso da inoculação por aspersão com P. chrysosporium, os cultivos não apresentaram contaminação por bolores primários, provavelmente devido à temperatura de incubação que nesse caso foi de 38 oC. Nesse experimento foi possível reduzir o consumo de energia em 18,5% no processo CTMP. Uma avaliação da viabilidade financeira do processo é apresentada e simulações de benefícios econômicos foram feitas para diferentes cenários de custo de energia elétrica e níveis de redução no consumo de energia. As simulações mostraram que benefícios econômicos da ordem de R$10/ton de polpa produzida podem ser obtidos para uma redução no consumo de energia da ordem de 20% advinda do biotratamento. Embora esperados, ganhos de propriedades mecânicas das biopolpas quando comparadas às polpas convencionais não foram observados, fato que limitou a extensão da análise econômica de considerar um processo integrado com máquina de papel na substituição de polpa kraft por polpas bio-CTMP ou bio-TMP. / In the evolution of the high yield pulping processes (HYP) biopulping have been considered the latest promise. Biopulping, defined as the microbiological pretreatment of wood chips prior to the pulping process, have the potential to reduce the refining energy consumption in 38%. Besides this benefit, or consequently, it can also enhance important mechanical properties usually poor in HYP pulps like tear, burst and tensile strength. Considerable efforts have been deposited in this issue during the last 20 years with important advances on understanding the involved mechanisms. Between these efforts trials were conducted in a pilot scale (50 ton of wood chips) by the direct spraying of the fungus. However such successful tests were conducted in a region of temperate climate, with a wood typically found in North America. The present work details the development, installation and operation of a pilot plant to biotreat (inoculation and incubation) Eucalyptus grandis wood chips used in an industrial thermomechanical (TMP) and chemithermomechanical (CTMP) mill. The efforts spent to reach the desired efficacy of this biotreatment are also presented. Several trials with different scales - including 40-50 ton trials - were conducted in different seasons, under the conditions normally found in woodyards of a tropical pulp mill. Different fungi (Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Phanerochaete chrysosporium) and different inoculation systems (by direct spraying and by seed introduction) were tested, and one of them developed at the first time in this pilot scale. The results show that when C. subvermispora was used with the direct spraying systems of the mycelium suspended in water with corn steep liquor the pile was strongly contaminated by primary molds of natural occurrence at an industrial woodyard tropical environment. On the other hand, the inoculation using pre-cultivated wood chips (seed system) was successfully conducted in pilot scale since it does not showed expressive contamination during the incubation period. The refining of the wood chips prepared by seed inoculation resulted in energy savings of 18% and 27% for the TMP and CTMP processes, respectively. By using the P. chrysosporium the pile was not contaminated by primary molds either, probably due to the higher incubation temperature, around 38 oC. The CTMP processing of the wood chips incubated in this experiment refining energy saving of 18.5% was observed. An economic evaluation of the biopulping process is presented and saving of R$10/ton was simulated for a 20% reduction in refining energy saving. The enhancement of the mechanical properties of the biopulp compared to the reference was not observed, regardless being expected. This fact limited the extension of the economical simulation, since the replacement of kraft pulp by bio-TMP or bio-CTMP is usually considered in an integrated paper mill.

The mechanical pulping industry has been developing throughout the years, due to competitive prices in the electricity market and good accessibility of wood. This has made it possible for such and “expensive” process to further develop. Today, with increasing electricity prizes, it is of great interest to reduce electrical consumption in mechanical pulping industry, since the process consumes large amounts of electricity. Braviken paper mill is starting up a new thermomechanical pulping line, scheduled for start-up in August 2008, which aims to reduce electrical consumption. The new line will include chip pre-treatment equipment such as an impregnator, an Andrtiz Impressafiner (Screw press), a high intensity primary stage refines double disc (DD), and a new low consistency refiner (LC), significantly bigger than those earlier available on the market. This master´s thesis is one out of three Master´s thesis made at Braviken paper mill during spring 2008. They all are connected, and are investigating the possibility to reduce electric energy consumption within TMP production. Master´s thesis concerning high consistency refining was done by Dino Muhic, “High consistency refining of mechanical pulps during varying refining conditions”, and low consistency refining written by Fredrik Johansson “Increased energy efficiency in low consistency refining”. Chip pre-treatment is to be used to reduce electrical consumption. Mechanical pre-treatment, such as using an Andrtiz Impressafiner demolishes the chips while also making it possible to impregnate the chips with chemicals, the later giving additional possibilities to reduce electricity consumption. Chemical chip pre-treatment decreases the lignin softening temperature, which benefits the refining process, yielding longer and less damaged fibers that will create a fibrous pulp with reduced electrical energy input.The goal for this study was to investigate the effect of alkaline-peroxide on chip pre-treatment by using a design of experiment method, in terms of electric energy consumption for the process, strength properties, opacity and ISO-brightness within the pulp/sheets. The trials were built up as a factorial experiment, with two factors, alkaline and peroxide, with two levels each (high and low). The high level for alkaline was 15 kg/t and 10 kg/t for the low level, and the high level for peroxide was 10 kg/t and 5 kg/t for the low level. This resulted in four trials with two zero-points, and two reference pulps, one normal TMP, thermomechanical pulp, and the other TMP with pressafiner and water. The trials showed that adding alkaline-peroxide clearly had an impact on pulp properties, such as increased strength properties, fiber length improvements and less shives could be found in the alkaline-peroxide treated pulps. The yield was highest for the normal TMP, about 99% and it decreased with increasing alkaline addition, the lowest value was achieved for the pulps containing the highest dose of alkaline, about 95%. The optical properties were more or less as expected. Opacity had the highest value for the pulps that had been made from chips with the highest total alkaline level. The ISO brightness was highest for pulps containing low level of alkaline. It could not be decided if the electricity demand had been reduced for the chemically treated pulps; it actually had the opposite effect as expected. The chemically treated pulps demanded a higher SEC, specific energy consumption, compared to the reference pulps. This result could have depended on the small pilot plant high consistency refiners at CTP, Centre technique du papier, Grenoble, France, due to the plate size and what kind of plats that were used. To do trials like this and to be able to draw correct conclusions relevant for a full scale plant, bigger refiners might give a more comparable result. It was clear that the fiber properties had improved, which could be the key to reduce electricity when LE- (low-energy) plates are used in the HC-refiner. A higher intensity could be used and electricity energy could be saved.

<p> </p><p><p>The mechanical pulping industry has been developing throughout the years, due to competitive prices in the electricity market and good accessibility of wood. This has made it possible for such and “expensive” process to further develop. Today, with increasing electricity prizes, it is of great interest to reduce electrical consumption in mechanical pulping industry, since the process consumes large amounts of electricity. Braviken paper mill is starting up a new thermomechanical pulping line, scheduled for start-up in August 2008, which aims to reduce electrical consumption. The new line will include chip pre-treatment equipment such as an impregnator, an Andrtiz Impressafiner (Screw press), a high intensity primary stage refines double disc (DD), and a new low consistency refiner (LC), significantly bigger than those earlier available on the market. This master´s thesis is one out of three Master´s thesis made at Braviken paper mill during spring 2008. They all are connected, and are investigating the possibility to reduce electric energy consumption within TMP production. Master´s thesis concerning high consistency refining was done by Dino Muhic, “<em>High consistency refining of mechanical pulps during varying refining conditions</em>”, and low consistency refining written by Fredrik Johansson “I<em>ncreased energy efficiency in low consistency refining</em>”.</p><p><p>Chip pre-treatment is to be used to reduce electrical consumption. Mechanical pre-treatment, such as using an Andrtiz Impressafiner demolishes the chips while also making it possible to impregnate the chips with chemicals, the later giving additional possibilities to reduce electricity consumption. Chemical chip pre-treatment decreases the lignin softening temperature, which benefits the refining process, yielding longer and less damaged fibers that will create a fibrous pulp with reduced electrical energy input.The goal for this study was to investigate the effect of alkaline-peroxide on chip pre-treatment by using a design of experiment method, in terms of electric energy consumption for the process, strength properties, opacity and ISO-brightness within the pulp/sheets. The trials were built up as a factorial experiment, with two factors, alkaline and peroxide, with two levels each (high and low). The high level for alkaline was 15 kg/t and 10 kg/t for the low level, and the high level for peroxide was 10 kg/t and 5 kg/t for the low level. This resulted in four trials with two zero-points, and two reference pulps, one normal TMP, thermomechanical pulp, and the other TMP with pressafiner and water.</p><p>The trials showed that adding alkaline-peroxide clearly had an impact on pulp properties, such as increased strength properties, fiber length improvements and less shives could be found in the alkaline-peroxide treated pulps. The yield was highest for the normal TMP, about 99% and it decreased with increasing alkaline addition, the lowest value was achieved for the pulps containing the highest dose of alkaline, about 95%. The optical properties were more or less as expected. Opacity had the highest value for the pulps that had been made from chips with the highest total alkaline level. The ISO brightness was highest for pulps containing low level of alkaline. It could not be decided if the electricity demand had been reduced for the chemically treated pulps; it actually had the opposite effect as expected. The chemically treated pulps demanded a higher SEC, specific energy consumption, compared to the reference pulps. This result could have depended on the small pilot plant high consistency refiners at CTP, Centre technique du papier, Grenoble, France, due to the plate size and what kind of plats that were used. To do trials like this and to be able to draw correct conclusions relevant for a full scale plant, bigger refiners might give a more comparable result. It was clear that the fiber properties had improved, which could be the key to reduce electricity when LE- (low-energy) plates are used in the HC-refiner. A higher intensity could be used and electricity energy could be saved.</p></p></p>

För att skapa ett hållbart samhälle måste material av fossilt ursprung ersättas med förnyelsebara och miljövänliga alternativ. Ett sådant alternativ är cellulosa från vedfibrer, som har stor potential att kunna ersätta många fossila material i framtiden. För att kunna uppnå detta behöver cellulosans egenskaper först modifieras för att passa olika ändamål och helt kunna ersätta fossila alternativ. I detta kandidatexamensprojekt modifierades blekt sulfatmassa, oblekt sulfatmassa, dissolvingmassa och kemitermomekanisk massa (CTMP) genom att introducera kvartära aminer med hjälp av två olika reagens, 2,3-epoxypropyltrimetylammoniumklorid (EPTMAC) och 3-kloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimetylammoniumklorid (CHPTAC). Under projektet undersöktes reagensens reaktionseffektivitet för de olika massorna genom att mäta substitutionsgraden (DS), hur förbehandling i form av torkning och malning påverkar modifieringsreaktionen och den modifierade massans egenskaper, utgångsmassornas svällningsegenskaper, samt mekaniska egenskaper som e-modul, brottstyrka och brottöjning hos pappersark tillverkade av modifierad massa. Resultaten från studien visar att det reaktionseffektivaste reagenset var CHPTAC som gav upphov till en genomgående högre effektivitet än samtliga modifieringar med EPTMAC, men att effektiviteten för respektive reagens är mindre beroende av pappersmassans komposition. Modifiering resulterade i att alla massor fick högre styrka i form av e-modul, brottstyrka och brottöjning. De mekaniska egenskaperna följde inte samma trend som substitutionsgraderna, vilket var oväntat. För att kunna dra mer pålitliga slutsatser skulle ytterligare studier behöva genomföras, inklusive upprepade modifieringar med varierande mängd reagens, mekaniska tester samt analys av ytterligare egenskaper som fibrernas ytor, kristallstruktur och längden på cellulosafibrerna.

The main purpose of this thesis was to find ways to maintain a low level of light‐induceddiscolouration at an increased addition of mechanical and chemimechanical pulps in coated highqualityfine paper and magazine paper grades. Current technology allows the production of highyieldpulps such as thermomechanical and chemimechanical pulps with properties suitable formanufacturing high‐quality paper or paperboard with a low basis weight. Coating of woodcontainingpaper will probably be necessary for photo‐stability reasons if lignin‐containing pulps areto be used as the main fibre furnish in long‐life and high‐value products.In order to find the most suitable pulp for this purpose, light‐induced discolouration of a variety ofpaper samples from unbleached and bleached softwood and hardwood pulps was studied under bothaccelerated and long‐term ambient light‐induced ageing conditions. Hardwood high‐yield pulps,especially aspen pulps, were proven to be more photo‐stable compared to softwood pulps. Hardwoodpulps should therefore be the first choice for applications where a high permanence is desirable.Evaluating ageing characteristics using the CIELAB colour system showed that accelerated ageingconditions tend to mainly increase the b* value and decrease the L* value (i.e. yellow the pulp),whereas long‐term ambient ageing also increases the a* value, which makes the pulp more reddish.A new method for studying the influence of the UV‐screening properties of coating layers on abase paper was developed, and used to investigate the effect of pigment, pigment size distribution,binder and UV‐absorbing additives. The coat weight and pigment type were found to be the mostimportant factors for reducing the transmittance of UV‐radiation. Coating colours containing kaolinpigments had a lower UV‐transmittance than calcium carbonate pigments. Of the calcium carbonates,precipitated calcium carbonates were better than ground calcium carbonates and the difference wasgreater at higher coat weights. The particle size distribution should preferable be narrow. When thebest pigment (bleached kaolin) and the best binder (styrene butadiene latex) were combined withtitanium dioxide, the UV‐transmittance could be reduced by about 90% at a coat weight of ~10 g/m2.At a coat weight close to 20 g/m2, the transmittance was close to zero. This shows that it is possible tomore or less fully protect a double coated base paper from harmful UV‐radiation, when the coatinglayer has an optimum composition for that purpose. A prerequisite to reach so far is that the coatinglayer has an even coat weight.