METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMMERCIAL SCALE BIOPULPING

摘要

A biopulping process is provided which is capable of scale up to commercial quantities. The process utilizes a biosuppression step in which contaminating microorganisms which interfere with the colonization and propagation of lignin-degrading or modifying organism, are physiologically disabled. The process involves inoculating (34) steam-treated wood chips (11) with a fungus, followed by incubation for a period of time necessary to achieve the desired degree of lignin degradation or modification. The invention also provides an apparatus for treating and inoculating (34) in continuous mode a large commercial quantity of wood chips (11). Use of continuous chip conveyance (12) ensures process control in a small, manageable environment thereby promoting uniformity of contaminant biosuppression, and colonization and even propagation of the fungus on the chip surface.