Oxygen delignification of high-kappa number pine kraft pulp

The possibility of producing easy bleachable pulp (kappa number < 16) from high kappa number (68) pine kraft pulp through its oxygen delignification has been studied. The effect of the application of peroxy compounds in the oxygen delignification sequences of such pulps was also established. The yield and properties thus produced easy bleachable pulps were compared to the properties of pulp having similar bleaching susceptibility, produced in a conventional method (i.e. by wood pulping to kappa number approx. 30 and then oxygen delignification). The effect of factors such as: higher pH of medium, elevated temperature and presence of metal ions on stability of peracetic acid solution was also determined. The most important conclusion from carried out studies was finding that fibrous semi product produced in the process of oxygen delignification of pine kappa number 68 pulp with or without the use of peroxy compounds show higher yield (by approx. 2.5% on wood) compared with pulps produced by means of conventional method.