Agency:

Forest Service

June 25, 1996

The invention involves a new process to delignify wood, pulp and other lignocellulosic materials for the manufacture of paper, paperboard and other products. The process uses acidic solutions of peroxymonophosphoric acid followed by an alkaline extraction for the delignification. The invention is an alternative to current pulping processes for removing lignin, which result in brown pulp and require additional bleaching using chlorine dioxide or other chemicals. This new process produces a lighter-colored pulp that is desirable in paper production and reduces the amount of bleaching required for enhanced environmental advantages. The technology can also be used on chemical pulps to improve the optical brightness and reduce bleaching. After treatment, the spent acidic liquor can be neutralized with the spent alkaline extraction solution, resulting in a mixture that can be used for fertilizer. This process can also be used to enhance the properties of recycled cellulosic fibers. For use in animal feeds and other products that require lignin removal.

Edward L. Springer

USDA, FS, FPRL

Madison, WI

(608) 231-9502

(608) 231-9508 -- fax

Industry Keywords:

chemical, pulp, paper, environment