The effect of kappa factor on chlorine dioxide bleaching sequence on the properties of dissolving pulp from recycled fibers (OCC)

One of the common applications of cellulose is dissolving pulp producing that requires high purity. Different cellulose sources are used to produce dissolving pulp. Due to Deforestation and lack of agricultural land and problems with cultivation, the use of wood and non-wood sources of cellulose is declining. Another source of cellulose is recycled pulp. Chlorine dioxide acts as a completely selective bleaching. Increasing kappa factors is very effective in removing lignin levels. In this research, dissolving pulp from recycled fibers is obtained during soda cooking and bleaching with chlorine dioxide. Then, the effect of changes in kappa factor of the second stage of chlorination on chemical composition (holocellulose and lignin), structural properties (degree of polymerization, alpha-cellulose and degree of brightness) and accessibility (water retention value) are investigated. The results showed that the degradation of holocellulose levels was not severe and did not cause cellulose damage and decreased alpha-cellulose levels as well as the degree of polymerization. The removal of lignin as a hydrophobic component and the presence of hemicellulose as a hydrophilic component increase accessibility (water retention) and decrease brightness degree.