Evaluation of CTMP pulp´s behavior towards hydrogen peroxide bleaching: utilization of sub/supercritical carbon dioxide / Avaliação do comportamento de polpa CTMP frente ao branqueamento com peróxido de hidrogênio: utilização de dióxido de carbono no estado sub/supercrítico

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

The bleaching of chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) is usually performed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in alkaline medium. This stage produces high quantity of effluent to be treated, increasing the costs of the industrial process. The usage of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) under sub/supercritical conditions can help in reducing the amount of liquid effluents generated in the bleaching stages, due to the carbon dioxide volatilization at the end of the reaction, minimizing costs and possible environmental impacts. This work aimed at improving the bleaching stage of Eucalyptus CTMP, being the main objective the exploratory study of the pulp behavior, by using aqueous solutions of H2O2 in the presence of CO2 under sub/supercritical conditions in acid pH. This reaction system was named as P (SC/CO2-acid) symbol. It was studied the effects of the variables: pressure, temperature, pulp consistency and percentage of H2O2 on the bleaching efficiency. The results were compared with conventional bleaching carried out in polyethylene bags in a heated water bath in alkaline pH. It was also verified the pressure effects by replacing the use of CO2 by N2 at 150 bar in sub/supercritical conditions, in alkaline pH (P(SC/N2-alkaline) system) and acid pH (P(SC/N2-acid) system). The most appropriate P (SC/CO2-acid) bleaching conditions were: 16% H2O2, 180 minutes, 20% pulp consistency, 70°C and 73 bar. Furthermore, a study was conducted with lignin models to verify the occurrence of reaction with H2O2 and CO2, and the products obtained in these conditions. The cellulosic substrate, in general, showed a low deterioration, even considering the conditions of high pressures and peroxide concentrations. The conventional bleaching method, performed in alkaline medium, gave higher brightness (80°GE) than the method carried out under CO2 in sub/supercritical conditions (61°GE). However, the bleaching using the P(SC/CO2-acid) system showed interesting results: increasing of the pulp brightness, without causing severe degradation of the fibers, even in conditions of high pressure and peroxide concentration; and it reduced the volume of water consumed, leading to lower production of liquid effluents. The P(SC/N2-alkaline) method showed brightness values (79°GE) comparables with the conventional method. Studies using lignin models showed results that support the confirmation of occurrence of oxidation reactions.

ASSUNTO(S)

lignin hydrogen peroxide bleaching - ctmp co2 - supercrítico branqueamento - ctmp co2 - supercritical peróxido de hidrogênio lignina

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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