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Abstract
The effect of pulp pretreatment with hot acid hydrolysis on high consistency ozone bleaching was evaluated. An experimental plan was set up involving the full optimization of the A-stage and its application in Elemental Chlorine Free–ECF–[A/(aZe)DP and A(aZe)DP] and Total Chlorine Free–TCF–[A/(aZe)(EP)P and A(aZe)(EP)P] sequences for eucalypt kraft pulp bleaching. The A-stage removed a significant amount of lignin and HexA from the pulp, and the subsequent Z-stage remained efficient after completion of the A-stage. The chemical savings caused by the A-stage were significant (∼7 kg ClO2/adt). The optimum conditions for the A-stage were pH 3.0, 90°C for 120 min, and 10% consistency. The strength properties of pulps bleached with the (aZe)DP (reference) and A/(aZe)DP ECF sequences were similar, but the TCF sequence A/(aZe)(EP)P delivered slightly lower strength properties than the ECF sequences. Fiber peeling studies indicated that the HexA present in the kraft pulp is not concentrated on the fiber surface, as previously thought.