Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

Ulla Jansson
This part of the Montes del Plata raw material
study describes the chip preparation and the
result of the chip analysis. The data will be
used in reports covering the result from
laboratory cooking and bleaching and pulp
property interpretation.

differences of about 100 kg/m3 could be

found between stands. This could be seen as
an opportunity for future breeding work but
could also cause problem for the future mill if
the raw material is not recorded, controlled
and handled properly in the process.

62 different stands covering 5 different

eucalyptus species (E.grandis, E.dunnii,
E.globulus, E.maidenii, E.bicostata), 4
different soil types (2, 8, 9.1 9.3 CONEAT
soil classification) and different wood ages
mostly 10-15 year but also some very young
(8,9 year) and som old (18 year) has been
sampled and analysed.
The result of the basic density measurement
showed a very big difference between the
samples. The wood specie has a significant
influence on the wood density, unlike soil or
ages.
The raw material could easily be divided into
three groups, low, medium and high density
species.
Low
Medium
High

E.grandis
E.dunnii
E.globulus
E.maidenii
E.bicostata

The variation in basic density between

samples of the same specie was also quite
high. The mapping study shows that

Stora Enso Pulp Competence Centre

Chemical Pulp R&D
Karlstad Research Centre
Box 9090
S-650 09 Karlstad, Sweden
+46-54 775 31 00

Chemical Pulp R&D

Imatra Research Centre
FI-55800 Imatra
Finland
+358-204 61 21

Pulp Competence Centre

Box 34
S-814 21 Skutskr
Sweden
+46-26 855 00

Contents
1

Introduction ................................................................................................. 3

Materials and methods ................................................................................ 3

2.1 Raw material ......................................................................................... 3

2.2 Chipping ................................................................................................ 4
2.3 Drying.................................................................................................... 5
3 Results ........................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Basic density of chips............................................................................ 7
3.2 Chip size and chip size distribution ....................................................... 8
4 Discussion................................................................................................... 9
5

Conclusion .................................................................................................. 9

Recommendations .................................................................................... 10

Appendices ............................................................................................... 11

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

1 Introduction
The aim with this report is to describe the chip preparation (chipping and drying)
method used for the Montes del Plata pulp mill project and the chip properties analysed
for the different samples included in the Frame Setting study and the first part of the
Raw Material Mapping study.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Raw material
The origin of the wood samples and how the selection was done is described elsewhere;
report Wood and Soil Sampling. For the wood mapping study 35 combinations of
wood specie, soil and tree age were prioritized for sampling. Each sample in the wood
mapping study consisted of wood material from 6 trees with the same DBH as the
average DBH for trees in the nearby inventory plot.
For the frame setting study additional 27 samples of different wood species, soil and age
combinations were sampled to create mixes, representative for the raw material supply
during different periods. Dependent on the amount of chips needed, 3 or 6 trees with the
same DBH as the average DBH for trees in the nearby inventory plot were harvested.
All trees were cut into 3 equal parts to represent the whole tree volume. From each part
a 1-m log was cut from the middle. For details in sampling procedure see report Wood
and Soil Sampling. After debarking the 1-m logs was immediately sent to LATU for
chipping, Figure 1 and 2. Each sample that arrived was supplemented with a LATU ID.

Figure 1 First 10 samples arrived to LATU on 15/03/2010

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

Figure 2 The logs were clearly marked with Montes del Plata IDs

2.2 Chipping
The logs were sawn longitudinal before chipping, Figure 3.

Figure 3 Sawing and chipping

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

The material from different heights in the sample was mixed before fed to the chipper.
After chipping the chips was mixed thoroughly before drying, Figure 4.

Figure 4 Blending the chips within each sample

2.3 Drying
The chips were dried in opened trays in a big oven, Figure 5. The drying temperature
was about 50 C. The drying conditions were controlled by the computerized oven
system. The temperature was monitored in different points during drying. The chips
were dried to a dryness of 90-95% before packed and transported to Imatra, Finland.

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

Figure 5 Drying process and equipment in LATU

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

3 Results
3.1 Basic density of chips
The basic density of the trees in the wood mapping part of the study was measured both
on one wood disc from each harvested tree and on the chips from the 3 1-m logs. The
figures from the discs were analyzed with multivariate methods (software SIMCA) for
the influence of wood specie, age and soil type. The result showed that the wood specie
was the only parameter that had a significant influence on the basic density. No
correlation with age or soil type was found, report Raw Material Mapping in Uruguay
for Montes del Plata - Wood and Bark Analysis.
For the frame setting part of the study the basic density was solely measured on the
chips. The measurement was done according to standard method, (SCAN-CM 43-95).
The average basic density per specie is found in Table 1. The values for each individual
stand are found in Appendix, Table 1-3.
Table 1. Average density for the species
Wood Specie

Age

Basic density, kg/m3

average

average

stdev

min

max

Eucalyptus grandis

14

438

29,73

395

507

Eucalyptus dunnii

12

551

32,00

506

597

Eucalyptus globulus

11

569

27,78

533

623

Eucalyptus maidenii

13

623

22,24

581

667

Eucalyptus bicostata

12

596

16,43

573

613

The density variation within and between species could also be illustrated in a
frequency-distribution diagram, Figure 6. It is obvious that E.grandis and E.maidenii
are separated from the other species, with only a minor overlap. The amount of samples
of E.dunni and E.bicostata were limited making the normal distribution not apparent.

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

Basic density distribution between species

10
9

number of samples

8
7
E.bicostata
6

E.dunnii

E. globulus

E. grandis
E. maidenii

3
2
1
0
375- 400- 425- 450- 475- 500- 525- 550- 575- 600- 625- 650399 424 449 474 499 524 549 574 599 624 649 674

Figure 6 Distribution of basic density for different species

3.2 Chip size and chip size distribution

The size of the chips from the chipper in LATU is about 3 cm in length and less than 3
mm thickness, Figure 7.

Figure 7 Typical chips from the LATU chipper

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

The chips size distribution was measured for two samples, giving an idea of the size
distribution from the laboratory chipper. Both samples gave a total accept fraction of
88-89% (fraction 3+4), Table 2.
Table 2 Result from chips classification of two different samples SCAN-CM 40:88
SIZE DISTRIBUTION / WILEN
SCREEN
Fraction 1, hole 45 mm, oversize
Fraction 2, slot 8 mm, overthick
Fraction 3, hole 13 mm, large accept
Fraction 4, hole 7 mm, small accept
Fraction 5, hole 3 mm, pin
Fraction 6, fines
Total, %

LATU 16, 61-13-129.1 Euca globulus

0,00
6,04
68,98
20,36
4,24
0,38
100,00

LATU 19, 111-906312-9.1 Euca maidenii

0,00
6,71
65,51
22,64
4,71
0,43
100,00

4 Discussion
The basic density for different samples of the same specie varies quite much showing
the existing non homogeneity in the raw material. A rough estimate is that the density
today could vary ~100 kg/m3 between different stands of the same specie. This could be
seen as an opportunity for future breeding work but could also cause problem for the
future mill if the raw material is not recorded, controlled and handled properly.
The five types of eucalyptus investigated could easily be divided into three groups in
respect of the basic density.

Low density
Medium density
High density

E.grandis
E. dunnii and E.globulus
E.maidenii and E.bicostata

The proportion of low, medium and high density chips that will be processed will
impact on the average chip mix density.

5 Conclusion
Today the raw material available for the Montes del Plata pulp mill have a big variation
in basic density. The analysis of data shows that the wood specie had a significant
influence on the basic density and that the five investigated types of eucalyptus could be
divided into three groups, low, medium and high density species.
The variation for different samples of the same specie varies also quite much. The
mapping study shows that differences of about 100 kg/m3 could be found between
stands.
The density variation both between and within species makes it very important to
control the chip flow to the digesters and to have developed systems for steering and
controlling the raw material.

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

6 Recommendations

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

7 Appendices
Table 1 Chip basic density and raw material data from stands at soil type 9.1, 9.3 and 8

Wood Mapping and Frame Setting

Sampling data

Sample ID
Soil 9.1
Sample Code MDP
114-9352-13-9.1
111-9063-12-9.1
116-113-12-9.1
61-13-12-9.1
115-9033-18-9.1
115-12-15-9.1
115-5008-16-9.1
111-9110-16-9.1
111-9850-12-9.1
61-9145-12-9.1
114-24-9-9.1
115-9055-10-9.1
114-48-11-9.1
114-9108-14-9.1
61-9156-13-9.1
61-9102-10-9.1
111-9131-10-9.1
116-9137-10-9.1
116-9322-14-9.1
111-9118-15-9.1
115-114-12-9.1

Latu ID
17
19
18
16
24
21
22
23
20
15
35
48
47
53
52
46
50
49
54
55
51

Heith tot. m Heith com. m

31,15
26,38
20,14
16,19
20,83
16,27
19,68
15,92
22,26
17,40
22,81
18,43
25,24
20,89
21,79
18,34
22,60
18,59
23,46
18,72
27,78
23,07
19,71
14,99
28,44
20,22
28,79
24,23
21,25
16,93
22,17
18,43
16,73
13,37
21,10
17,13
21,13
17,13
26,00
21,77
20,60
16,47

Average
DBH cm
20,32
17,08
19,43
18,32
18,45
18,72
17,68
24,98
18,23
20,41
20,30
16,37
17,73
23,97
18,90
20,00
16,27
19,33
20,30
20,00
20,07

Heith tot. m Heith com. m

19,80
16,08
19,65
15,71
20,57
16,52
23,82
20,05
20,63
16,80
29,43
24,73
25,58
21,79
24,72
21,02
18,67
14,59
25,80
21,75
22,60
18,63
21,30
16,30
27,05
22,36
22,18
15,92
17,34
11,88
20,98
16,59
22,64
18,66
24,51
20,17
27,52
23,64

Average
DBH cm
17,80
17,60
19,47
19,25
19,33
20,33
23,85
21,00
18,40
21,13
21,83
17,23
19,27
19,98
15,47
16,87
18,90
18,60
22,83

Latu ID
31
29
25
33
26
28
27
32
30
34
60
58
63
62
56
61
57
64
65

Heith tot. m Heith com. m

23,08
19,73
23,77
19,40
24,18
20,38
21,88
18,13
19,52
15,98
20,20
15,82
24,18
20,48
24,45
20,22
23,10
18,33
21,97
17,67
20,00
16,68

Average
DBH cm
23,00
20,95
23,05
20,22
17,92
17,50
25,74
21,42
22,00
21,20
21,23

13
12
12
12
18
15
16
16
12
12
9
10
11
14
13
10
10
10
14
15
12

Specie
E. dunnii
E. maidenii
E. bicostata
E. globulus
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. maidenii
E. maidenii
E. globulus
E. dunnii
E. grandis
E. dunnii
E. dunnii
E. globulus
E. globulus
E. maidenii
E. bicostata
E. bicostata
E. maidenii
E. grandis

14
12
10
15
10
13
10
16
12
18
12
12
14
13
10
12
10
14
18

Specie
E. bicostata
E. maidenii
E. globulus
E. maidenii
E. globulus
E. dunnii
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. maidenii
E. maidenii
E. grandis
E. globulus
E. dunnii
E. globulus
E. bicostata
E. bicostata
E. maidenii
E. maidenii
E. grandis

15
15
16
16
12
12
15
11
11
15
13

Specie
E. maidenii
E. maidenii
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. globulus
E. dunnii
E. grandis
E. grandis
E. maidenii

Origen

Otros

Otros

Jeeralang
Jeeralang

Chip B.D.(kg/m3)
595
626
571
620
555
537
452
466
597
629
434
623
529
598
613
611
633
639
507

Age

Origen

Otros
Jeeralang

Jeeralang
Jeeralang

Sampling data

Sample ID
Soil 8
Sample Code MDP
111-22-15-8.15
111-30-15-8.15
115-29-16-8.15
115-27-16-8.15
115-18-12-8.7
115-21-12-8.7
61-13-15-8.15
114-0-12-8.8
115-9007-11-8.02a
115-9068-15-8.15
111-0-13-8.15

Age

Sampling data

Sample ID
Soil 9.3
Sample Code MDP
116-9345-14-9.3
111-9427-12-9.3
61-9141-10-9.3
111-9207-15-9.3
61-68-10-9.3
114-9344-13-9.3
115-9035-10-9.3
115-9088-17-9.3
111-9134-12-9.3
111-13-18-9.2
115-9150-12-9.3
61-33-12-9.3
114-84-14-9.3
61-52-13-9.3
116-9177-10-9.3
116-55-12-9.3
111-9117-10-9.3
111-13-14-9.3
115-24-18-9.3

Chip B.D.(kg/m3)
580
645
581
534
451
431
470
633
602
593
537
428
597
568
594
563
609
573
605
667
461

Latu ID
45A
45B
14
13
8
9
12
7
42
44
10

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

Chip B.D.(kg/m3)
634
636
435
399
417
395
585
506
433
433
590

Age

Origen

Otros

Table 2 Chip basic density and raw material data from stands at soil type 2
Wood Mapping and Frame Setting
Sampling data

Sample ID
Soil 2
Sample Code MDP
115-20-15-2.11
111-73-10-2.12
61-136-10-2.12
61-1-10-2.12
61-9306-8-2.12
61-176-10-2.12
61-T-14-2.10
61-0-13-2.11b
111-T247-13-2.12

Latu ID
6
5
3
2
1
4
40
36
39

Average
Wood specie
Eucalyptus grandis
438
Eucalyptus dunnii
551
Eucalyptus globulus
569
Eucalyptus maidenii
623
Eucalyptus bicostata
596

Heith tot. m Heith com. m

17,17
13,63
23,36
18,26
24,47
20,08
17,69
13,11
19,58
14,85
19,25
14,54
21,70
17,40
22,03
18,20
22,57
17,63

Stdev
29,73
32,00
27,78
22,24
16,43

Average
DBH cm
16,47
18,88
18,55
15,17
16,08
16,17
20,27
21,43
18,23

Basic density chips

Min
395
506
533
581
573

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties

Max
507
597
623
667
613

Chip B.D.(kg/m3)
396
581
569
546
537
554
553
553
629
Age
average
14
12
11
13
12

Age
15
10
10
10
8
10
14
13
13

Specie
E. grandis
E. maidenii
E. globulus
E. globulus
E. globulus
E. globulus
E. globulus
E. globulus
E. maidenii

Origen

Otros
Otros
Otros
Otros
Otros
Otros

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Karlstad Research Centre

Chip Preparation and Chip Properties