Estimation of pulp yield in industrial oxygen-alkali delignification of softwood kraft pulp

摘要

This paper discusses the possibilities of estimating kraft pulp yield in an industrial oxygen-alkali delignification process. Three different yield estimation methods were developed. Each method was based on different material balances of substances dissolved during this process. The methods were tested by applying them at two large-scale runs in a mill producing Scandinavian softwood kraft pulp. The pulp yield estimations resulted in values of 97-98% which could be assumed realistic for the oxygen-alkali delignification of softwood kraft pulp. The presented approach proved to be a promising tool for comparing varying pulp yields obtained under different process conditions.