EFFECT OF XYLANASE TREATMENT ON DEWATERING PROPERTIES OF BIRCH KRAFT PULP

In this study it was shown that the enzymatic removal of xylan from ECF-bleached birch kraft pulp enhances the water removal from the pulp, especially in the late stages of pulp drying. The effect of xylanase treatments on dewatering was clarified by using a moving belt former (MBF), a press simulator (MTS), and an IR-drying equipment, to simulate and to measure dewatering properties on wire, press and drying sections of a paper machine. The xylanase treatment slightly increased the pulp freeness indicating improved pulp drainage properties. At the moving belt former, however, no significant changes that would indicate enhanced dewatering in forming were observed. The xylanase treatments slightly enhanced the dewatering in wet pressing and furthermore, at the thermal drying the xylanase treatment had a positive effect on the dry solid content (DSC) development, and time to reach the 95% dry solids content was reduced by up to 15%. This was also confirmed by the decrease in the fiber saturation point (FSP) values and the amount of bulk water. Our results indicate that the xylanase treatment affected the water-binding xylan in the fiber cell wall, yielding enhanced dewatering properties, without deteriorating the pulp and paper properties.