What is thermomechanical processing?

Question

pls explain in simple terms of this thermomechanical processing... the application also..

what happened to something that was developed through thermomechanical processing?

i mean what are the mterials used?

can i use any kitchen equipment (like my oven) for something to undergo thermomechanical processing?

thank you...

Answer 1

In its simplest terms, thermomechanical process concerns the use of a combinbation of heat and mechanical energy.I am used to this term being used in the papermaking industry where thermomechanical pulping is carried out. This si called TMP for short. The wood is reduced to wood chips, dimensions approximately 20mm x 10mm x 5mm. These chips are pressure heated in steam to a high temperature, above 100°C. This causes the chips to become very soft. Thisa is the thermo part.

The heated chips are tyen forced between two counter rotating metal plates which have grooves machined onto their surfaces. These plates break up the chips into the individual cellulose fibres. The resulting woodpulp is discharged from the grinder (actually called a refiner) for use in papermaking. (this is the mechanical part)

The advantage of this process is that nearly 100% of the original dry wood is recovered as usable pulp. The quality of the pulp is high witha light yellow colour suitable for packaging papers, newspapers, magazine paper, etc. You probably handle TMP every day without being aware of it. The process is very energy intensive (being a mechanical process)