Properties of spruce sulfite pulp and birch kraft pulp after sorption of cationic birch xylan

In this study, correlations between the charge density of adsorbed cationic xylans and the mechanical properties of selected pulps are discussed. Hand-sheet experiments were carried out using birch sulfate pulp and spruce sulfite pulp after the adsorption of 2-hydroxypropyl-trimethylammonium-4-O-methylglucuronoxylans (HPMAGXs) with different molar degrees of substitution (MS) in the range of 0.06–0.19. The charge density of the HPMAGX in water was determined by polyelectrolyte titration. Properties such as the tensile and burst index increased after HPMAGX addition and showed an optimum depending on the MS, which was 0.1 for both pulps. Other properties like the tear-index or the specific volume changed depending on the pulp. Beating experiments were also performed and showed an increasing tensile index of birch kraft pulp in the range of 53.7 to 85.7 N m g⁻¹ for a beating time of 10 min. The adsorption of HPMAGXs with different MS onto thiol-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold and regenerated cellulose surfaces were studied using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Electrostatic interactions were found to be the most important factors affecting HPMAGX adsorption, and a strong correlation between HPMAGX adsorption onto carboxyl-terminated SAMs (SAM-COOH) and paper strength when HPMAGX was used as a papermaking additive was observed.     

On the accessibility and structure of xylan in birch kraft pulp

The structure of -(14)-xylan, both in isolated form and as a component of bleached birch kraft pulp, was studied employing CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Bleached birch kraft pulp was treated with xylanases or alkali in order to distinguish between accessible and inaccessible xylan. In xylan which was alkali-extracted from bleached birch kraft pulp, the relative contents of xylose and 4-O-methylglucuronic acid were 99.4 and 0.6 weight %, respectively, and the degree of polymerization was 70. The supermolecular structure of xylan is very sensitive to the surrounding environment. All extracted xylan chains were accessible to water and methanol and the solvent molecules easily exchanged. In bleached birch kraft pulp, cellulose fibrils interact with xylan chains, causing these to adopt a conformation similar to one of the configurations observed for dry xylan. In birch pulp, about 1/3 of the xylan was found to be accessible to digestion by xylanases or extraction with 5% w/w potassium hydroxide (aq). A signal at 81.7ppm in the C-4 region of the CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectrum of bleached birch kraft pulp originated from xylan at the accessible fibril surfaces. A portion of a broad signal at 83.5ppm reflected inaccessible xylan, which is probably present as co-aggregates with cellulose fibril aggregates.     

SEC-MALLS analysis of softwood kraft pulp using LiCl/1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone as an eluent

Various cellulose and pulp samples including softwood bleached kraft pulp (SBKP) were dissolved in 8% lithium chloride/1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (LiCl/DMI) and 8% LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and the obtained solutions were subjected to size-exclusion chromatographic analysis with multi-angle light scattering detection (SEC-MALLS). Although SBKP was not completely soluble in 8% LiCl/DMAc, 1% LiCl/DMI always gave a clear solution of SBKP without centrifugation. Molecular mass (MM) and MM distribution measurements using 1% LiCl/DMI as an eluent for the SEC-MALLS analysis revealed that SBKP had MM higher than those of the other cellulose and pulp samples at the same elution volume. The slope of the conformation plots for SBKP showed an anomalously low value of 0.41, while those for other cellulose and pulp samples were in the range of 0.57–0.59, which corresponds to the normal random coil conformations. These results indicate that some compact structures like branches or cross-linkages other than molecular-dispersed states are present in the high MM region of SBKP, which can be detected when the LiCl/DMI solvent system is used as the solvent as well as the eluent for the SEC-MALLS analysis. On the other hand, no such structures were observed for the other cellulose and pulp samples including softwood bleached sulfite pulps. Thus, the compact structures present in SBKP are likely to be susceptible to acid treatments.     

2. The raw materials of CA 2.1 Wood as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production

The molecular arrangement of wood cell wall is described in relation to the physical and mechanical properties of wood. The chemical composition of wood is also summarized to illustrate the heterogeneity in distribution of cell wall constituents to use wood plup fibers judiciously as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production.     

Direct analysis of lignin and lignin-like components from softwood kraft pulp by Py-GC/MS techniques

Analytical pyrolysis combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyse the structure and quantity of aromatic components, mainly guaiacyl and hydroxyphenyl derivatives, directly from chemical pulps. The quantity of aromatic degradation products was determined using a new external calibration method. The external standard was analyzed similarly to the pulp sample, and the combined area of the degradation products formed, normalized to the sample amount, was used for calibration. The method was sensitive enough to detect aromatics from fully bleached softwood pulps at a concentration level of 0.4 wt.%.The effect of bleaching on lignin structures in softwood pulps was studied by following the changes in guaiacyl-type degradation product distribution. The residual lignin structures that had been modified during cooking were removed during the course of bleaching. The residual lignin in fully bleached pulps therefore was found to bear features characteristic of native lignin in addition to increased oxidation. A striking enrichment of hydroxyphenyl-type aromatic pyrolysis products was observed during bleaching. It is suggested that they are derived not only from lignin but also from other pulp components.     

Improvement of the technology for reprocessing black liquors from kraft pulp production

A way to improve the kraft pulp production process via acid–base treatment of black liquor was suggested. Data on the process for kraft lignin production by the sulfuric acid procedure were substantiated.     

Characterisation of raw materials for production of ceramics

The aim of this paper is to characterize some raw materials used for ceramics material production. Five samples of clay have been analyzed. It has been carried out a patterned sampling in a quarry in Rosarno (South Italy). Chemical-physical properties on clay samples are determined. Test pieces have been prepared and physical properties after firing are determined by DSC thermal analysis, XRD analysis and X-ray fluorescence. It is important to note the high amount of Fe₂O₃. The mixture principally contains quartz, illite and oligoclase. It has been observed the colour and the shape after firing: predominant colour is red. In this case the clay has been used in mixtures covered with glazes. The colour of internal clay is hidden by opaque of glazes. The analysed raw materials can be used in a slip for single fired red tiles. The A2sp clay produces best ceramics at 1000°C.     

Carbon-13 NMR evidence for cocrystallization of cellulose as a mechanism for hornification of bleached kraft pulp

Solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize a bleached softwood kraft pulp in the never-dried state and after cycles of drying and remoistening. Changes in NMR signal strengths indicated that growth of crystalline domains involved cocrystallization rather than accretion of cellulose from noncrystalline domains. A cluster of C-4 signals at 89.4 ppm, assigned to the interiors of crystalline domains, grew at the expense of C-4 signals at 84.0 and 84.9 ppm, assigned to the well-ordered surfaces of crystalline domains. Irreversible changes were not detected until the moisture content dropped below 18%. They were enhanced by a second drying/remoistening cycle, but showed little further change on subsequent cycles. The necessary conditions resembled those reported for hornification, suggesting that cocrystallization might provide a mechanism for hornification.     

A precise study on the feasibility of enzyme treatments of a kraft pulp for viscose application

The development of efficient process steps to convert paper-grade to dissolving pulps was investigated as part of the work programme to improve the process economics. The challenge of pulp refinement comprises the selective removal of hemicelluloses and the precise adjustment of the pulp viscosity, while maintaining the reactivity of the pulp as required for viscose application. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various enzyme treatments on a commercial oxygen-delignified Eucalyptus globulus paper-grade kraft pulp in the course of a total chlorine free bleaching sequence in combination with refining techniques following the principle of Modified Kraft Cooking (Sixta et al. 2007). The objectives were to assess its applicability as viscose pulp besides the reduction of chemical consumption in alkaline and ozone bleaching steps by means of xylanase pre-treatment and the controlled adjustment of final pulp viscosity utilizing endoglucanase post-treatment. Xylanase pre-treatment combined with cold caustic extraction at reduced alkalinity efficiently removed the hemicelluloses from the pulp and clearly increased the pulp brightness by extensive removal of hexenuronic acid side chains. The xylanase pre-treated pulp showed increased reactivity towards xanthation and high viscose dope quality in terms of particle content. The dependence of cellulose chain scission on the applied endoglucanase concentration was analyzed in detail, and this allowed precise viscosity reduction as well as reactivity increase. The differently treated pulps, with and without xylanase pre-treatment, were of very narrow molecular weight distribution and the quality of the spun fibers were very similar to those viscose fibers from commercial dissolving pulps.     

Sugarcane bagasse as raw material and immobilization support for xylitol production

Xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion was performed utilizing Candida guillier-mondii immobilized in sugarcane bagasse and cultured in Erlenmeyer flasks using sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as the source of xylose. Fermentations were carried out according to a factorial design, and the independent variables considered were treatment, average diameter, and amount of bagasse used as support for cell immobilization. By increasing the amount of support, the xylitol yield decreased, whereas the biomass yield increased. The diameter of the support did not influence xylitol production, and treatment of the bagasse with hexamethylene diamine prior to fermentation resulted in the highest amount of immobilized cells.     

Spent zinc-plating electrolytes as secondary raw material for production of pigments

Results are presented of a study of the precipitation of zinc from spent chlorammonium zinc-plating electrolytes with sodium phosphate. The zinc precipitation conditions were examined. The composition, structure, and properties of the resulting materials were studied and it was shown that the materials can be used as white pigments.     

A glucotest for the quality control of food raw materials and products

Ready-to-use indicatory forms shaped as tablets, e.g., glucotests, are proposed for the rapid semi-quantitative determination of glucose in foodstuffs. Their function is based on the classical Fehling’s reaction with the selection of reagents aimed to eliminate the influence of proteins, reduce sample pretreatment to a minimum, and perform the test within 10 min. The glucotests are economical, simple to manufacture, and have no limits for shelf life and storage conditions. If necessary, the glucotests can be applied for the quantitative determination of glucose as well. To do this, a photometric procedure is proposed based on the quantification of unreacted copper acetate in the composition of the glucotest by its intrinsic absorbance. To analyze colorful products, sample pretreatment using an anion-exchange resin in the acetate form is recommended.     

Studies related to biological detoxification of kraft pulp mill effluent. V. The synthesis of 12- and 14-chlorodehydroabietic acids and 12,14-dichlorodehydroabietic acid,fish-toxic diterpenes from kraft pulp mill effluent

An improved synthesis of the isomeric 12- and 14-chlorodehydroabietic acids ( 3 and 2 , respectively) and 12,14-dichlorodehydroabietic acid ( 4 ) is described. The monochioro isomers were conveniently separated as the imidazole derivatives, and conversion of the latter to the free acids or their corresponding methyl esters could be achieved in high yield. Studies involving microbial degradation of 2–4 are underway.     

A physico-chemical characterisation of new raw materials for microcrystalline cellulose manufacturing

A detailed physico-chemical characterisation of potential new cellulose sources (rice husk, hemp stalk, and coniferous needles), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) manufactured from them, was made in this work. The length and the width of the cellulose crystallites were determined by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), crystallinities were studied by means of WAXS and solid state cross polarisation magic angle spinning ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and the packing and the cross-sectional shape of the microfibrils were determined by small-angle X-ray scattering. When MCC was prepared from rice husks and hemp stalks an acceptable yield was obtained. Crystallinities obtained with solid state NMR spectroscopy and WAXS were highest for MCC prepared from hemp stalks, and lowest for rice husk MCC. The crystallite sizes of MCC samples studied in this work varied more than in those MCC samples which were prepared from conventional plant sources, and crystallite size and cellulose crystallinity were related. When taking into account rather high values of specific surface, hemp stalks and rice husks appear as a promising raw materials for MCC production.     

A simple and tailor‐made fabrication of porous silicon carbide from functionalized kraft pulp paper

Porous silicon carbide (SiC) materials were fabricated using the polymer‐derived ceramics method with kraft pulp papers (KPP) and a commercial polycarbosilane, the allylhydridopolycarbosilane (AHPCS), as starting materials. For this, KPP, propargylated KPP, or phosphorylated KPP were used to be impregnated by the AHPCS, with or without Karstedt catalyst. The pyrolysed materials were characterized at different stages, by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Depending on the nature of the initial template, various architectured SiC ceramics were successfully obtained with adjustable porosities. The key role of the previous functionalization of the papers was highlighted in terms of interactions at the interface between the polymer and the lignocellulosic handsheets. It led to either replica or sacrificial template methods. Thus, it was possible to tune the open porosity of the porous carbon and β‐SiC materials between 14.8% and 92.9%, with ceramic yields varying from 12% to 71%.     

A comparative CP/MAS 13C-NMR study of cellulose structure in spruce wood and kraft pulp

CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy in combination with spectral fitting was used to study the supermolecular structure of the cellulose fibril in spruce wood and spruce kraft pulp. During pulping, structures contributing to inaccessible surfaces in the wood cellulose are converted to the cellulose I allomorph, that is, the degree of order is increased. This increase is also accompanied by a conversion of cellulose I to cellulose I. Cellulose from wood composed of different cell types, that is, compression wood, juvenile wood, earlywood, latewood and normal wood exhibited a similar supermolecular structure. Assignments were made for signals from hemicellulose which contribute significantly to the spectral C-4 region (80–86 ppm) in kraft pulp spectra but substantially less to the corresponding region in wood spectra.     

Sources and availability of raw materials for fluorine chemistry

The two most important sources of fluorine are the minerals fluorite, commercially known as fluorspar, and fluorapatite, commercially known as phosphate rock.The major consumers of fluorspar are the aluminum, chemical, and steel industries. Acid-grade fluorspar, one of three commercial grades, is used primarily to make hydrogen fluoride, which is then used to produce synthetic cryolite, aluminum fluoride, fluorocarbons, and other fluorochemicals. Elemental fluorine is prepared from anhydrous hydrogen fluoride by electrolysis. Fluosilicic acid is used primarily for water fluoridation but also to make aluminum fluoride and cryolite. Reported U.S. consumption of fluorspar was 753,000 tons in 1984. U.S. demand for fluorspar was projected to increase at an average annual rate of 2.7% between 1983 and 2000.U.S. production of finished fluorspar in 1984 was 72,000 tons. Fluosilicic acid production was 61,000 tons or 107,000 tons as equivalent fluorspar. More than 85% of domestic demand was imported, primarily from Mexico and the Republic of South Africa.A U.S. Bureau of Mines investigation of major fluorspar reserves and resources in market economy countries and China found approximately 900,000 tons of demonstrated and 1,200,000 tons of identified reserves in the United States. Total world demonstrated and identified reserves were 135 million tons and 262 million tons, respectively. The potential resources of fluosilicic acid were estimated at 12 million tons of equivalent fluorspar in the United States and 360 million tons for the total world. Fluorine reserves appear adequate through the year 2000 given current projections.     

Optimization of the gravimetric determination method of nickel as dimethylglyoximate for nickel raw materials

The method parameters of an almost one century old method for analyzing nickel as dimethylglyoximate were critically examined for the analysis of nickel raw materials and many of the method parameters were observed to have a significant effect on the Ni recovery. Thus, because the Ni precipitation method parameters vary a lot in analytical literature and also in practice, the obtained Ni results by different methods are not comparable. During this study it was found that the double precipitation worked out perfectly in eliminating the effects of impurity elements. The residual Ni content in the filtrates should also be measured to obtain accurate and precise Ni results. In complexing the impurity elements, tartaric acid, stabilized by acetic acid, turned out to be effective, and when added to the sample solution before ammonium addition, the best pH conditions for homogenous Ni precipitation with dimethylglyoxime were obtained. The optimized Ni determination method described was found to be accurate and highly reproducible when tested with Ni concentrates and standard reference materials containing high Ni concentrations.     

Optimization of the gravimetric determination method of nickel as dimethylglyoximate for nickel raw materials

The method parameters of an almost one century old method for analyzing nickel as dimethylglyoximate were critically examined for the analysis of nickel raw materials and many of the method parameters were observed to have a significant effect on the Ni recovery. Thus, because the Ni precipitation method parameters vary a lot in analytical literature and also in practice, the obtained Ni results by different methods are not comparable. During this study it was found that the double precipitation worked out perfectly in eliminating the effects of impurity elements. The residual Ni content in the filtrates should also be measured to obtain accurate and precise Ni results. In complexing the impurity elements, tartaric acid, stabilized by acetic acid, turned out to be effective, and when added to the sample solution before ammonium addition, the best pH conditions for homogenous Ni precipitation with dimethylglyoxime were obtained. The optimized Ni determination method described was found to be accurate and highly reproducible when tested with Ni concentrates and standard reference materials containing high Ni concentrations. Received: 26 December 1998 / Revised: 12 April 1999 / Accepted: 14 April 1999