Study on Odor Formation Control during Kraft Pulping

The investigation of the formation of organic sulfur compounds (i.e., odor species), mainly methyl mercaptan and demethyl suifide, during kraft pulping has been conducted, in which both hardwood and softwood species were used. It was discovered that there is an organic sulfur compounds formation phase transition point with respect to delignification extent. The transition point occurs at a kappa number of approximately 35 and 20 for softwoods and hardwoods, respectively. The results also showed that both low sulfidity and anthraquinone (AQ) addition are helpful to control the formation of theses organic sulfur compounds during kraft pulping. Whereas Hexenuronic acid (HexA) has contribution to Kappa number, the extended delignification not only lead to low pulp yield, but also be adverse to odor control. A significant in-digester odor reduction can be achieved if the pulping is to be terminated before phase transition point and combined with AQ addition.