On the nature of the selectivity of oxygen delignification
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract This work has focused on oxygen’s role in the delignification process within the context of pulp production. We have investigated the role of oxygen in a complex set of chemical reactions taking place during this process, including both oxidative and non-oxidative reactions. This study explores the impact of pH changes during the oxygen delignification process and the characteristics of the resulting pulps. Additionally, this research examines the effect of oxygen, by comparing conventional oxygen delignification with trials using air and nitrogen. Industrial softwood kraft pulps with a kappa number of 35 were subjected to delignification for 20–120 min under alkaline conditions. The resulting pulps were assessed for kappa number, intrinsic viscosity, fiber charge, and ISO brightness. An important observation from this research is the reduction in lignin molecular weight upon exposure to oxygen and air, suggesting depolymerization reactions facilitated by oxygen species, whereas nitrogen exposure results in less pronounced changes. This finding underscores the impact of oxygen in altering lignin structure, thus informing the selectivity and effectiveness of the delignification process.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Lignin and Wood Chemistry · Advanced Cellulose Research Studies · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, School of Chemistry, Health and Biotechnology , Royal Institute of Technology KTH , Teknikringen 56-58, 114 28 Stockholm , Sweden
Valmet AB , 851 94 Sundsvall , Sweden
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Bioeconomy and Health , Sustainable Materials and Packaging Department , Drottning Kristinas väg 61, SE-114 28 Stockholm , Sweden
Wallenberg Wood Science Centre, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology , KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Teknikringen 56-58, 114 28 Stockholm , Sweden
Funding
BioInnovation – a joint initiative by Vinnova (Sweden’s innovation agency), Formas (Swedish governmental research council for sustainable development), and the Swedish Energy Agency
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