QUATAM PROCESS—NEW SULFUR-FREE DELIGNIFICATION

ABSTRACT

An essentially new alkaline chemical pulping process—the Quatam process—has been introduced using an organic base for producing cellulose fibers from wood and annual plants. Solutions of quaternary ammonium compounds, preferably tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), serve as pulping liquors. The process produces high quality pulp with low kappa number, high brightness and good viscosity—without using sulfur-containing compounds. The process is suitable for both hardwood and softwood. The pulping selectivity of TMAH is demonstrated. Bleachability and mechanical properties of the resulting pulp are compared to those of conventional Kraft pulp.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Mr. Jan Acquoi, CFZ Zaltbommel for the TMAH solution, Mr Karl Lackner, of Impco VOEST-ALPIN, for carrying out the experiments in the company's 18 L cooking plant, Dr. Herbert Sixta, of Lenzing AG for the help in some analysis, and Dr. Günter Ditzenmüller and Show-Ling Lee-Müller, of Holzforschung Austria, for the bleaching and mechanical characterization of our pulps.