METHOD OF INCREASING THE THROUGHPUT AND/OR DECREASING ENERGY USAGE OF A PULPING PROCESS

A method of increasing the throughput and/or decreasing the energy usage of a pulping process includes the steps of providing a plurality of lignocellulosic chips， providing a refining composition， applying the refining composition to the plurality of lignocellulosic chips， and mechanically refining the plurality of lignocellulosic chips to form pulp. The refining composition includes water and a lubricating additive comprising the reaction product of a sugar and an alcohol. The step of applying the refining composition to the lignocellulosic chips is conducted less than 5 minutes prior to， or concurrently with， the step of mechanically refining the wood chips to form pulp. A method of increasing the throughput and/or decreasing the energy usage of a pulping process includes the steps of providing a plurality of lignocellulosic chips， providing a refining composition， applying the refining composition to the plurality of lignocellulosic chips， and mechanically refining the plurality of lignocellulosic chips to form pulp. The refining composition includes water and a lubricating additive comprising the reaction product of a sugar and an alcohol. The step of applying the refining composition to the lignocellulosic chips is conducted less than 5 minutes prior to， or concurrently with， the step of mechanically refining the wood chips to form pulp.