This work is a fundamental study of the Kraft delignification reaction with the goal of identifying the key measurable reaction parameters that can be used for following the progress of reaction. A liquor- analysis system will be used to monitor a comprehensive array of liquor characteristics. Depletion of active chemicals will be measured by monitoring in-situ the conductivity of the liquor and by ion chromatography of the extracted liquor samples. The quantity of dissolved lignin will be monitored by absorbance. Gel permeation chromatography will be used to measure the molecular weight distribution of lignin. The total dissolved solids in the circulating liquor will be measured by using a refractive index detector. A kinetic model based on these measured liquor characteristics will be developed. The result will help develop a control system based on measurable liquor property. Such a control system will result in increased productivity of the pulping operation by producing a uniform quality of pulp at a higher yield and improve the overall economics of the pulping operation. The pulp and paper industry is the third largest industry in the United States. Even small increases in yield would have a large dollar impact. This work could lead to the enhanced control of the wood chip digester thus resulting in a more uniform pulp, higher product quality, and higher yield.
