Abstract

In this project, an innovative and novel sonic technology is proposed which will fulfil this need by dramatically improving the utilisation and effectiveness of oxygen for wood pulp and paper bleaching. The sonic agitation process causes strong cavitation and acoustic streaming which is a highly efficient and effective driving force for mass transport and improvements in mixing and process kinetics through the generation of smaller gas bubble sizes and through the acousto-mechanically supported detaching of lignin from cellulose fibres. Furthermore, a method of evaluating mixing quality in pulp mixers will be developed for an optimised process control.

The European pulp and paper industry was and still is faced with economic challenges from a competitive world market ruled by the USA in the manufacture of pulp and paper products. Therefore considerable market demand can be projected for a technology which provides a cheaper, more efficient and environmentally benign means of delignifying pulp. With more than 1.200 wood pulp bleaching operations in the EU, a market niche is waiting for a process which can accomplish this. In addition to the benefits for wood pulp and paper bleaching, the sonic process may be applicable to chemical pulping, processing of recycled paper products, cloth fibre bleaching, waste water treatment and other industrial processes.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Panu TIKKA / Laennen Tutkimus OY FINLAND

Participant

• Antonio PEREA / Pastguren SL SPAIN