An approach to industrial application: influence of black liquor and pH on xylanase efficiency in bleaching of eucalyptus kraft pulp

Abstract

To obtain a more realistic appraisal of the potential efficiency of xylanases in the industrial bleaching, the influence of pH and the presence of black liquor (measured as COD) on the bleaching efficiency of two commercial xylanases was studied at high temperature. These pH’s, CODs, and temperatures are close to those used in the storage tower of the B fiber line in Jacareı´ unit of Fibria (Brazil). The pulp samples obtained after each bleaching stage were analyzed for kappa number, brightness, viscosity, and hexenuronic acid content, and so were the effluents for COD, TOC, color, turbidity, and pH after the enzymatic stage. On the basis of the results, the xylanases were found to increase pulp brightness in the treatment involving the most unfavorable conditions (viz. high COD and pH). However, an initial COD above 9 kgO2 t-1 and/or a pH higher than 9.5 detracted from their bleaching efficiency. The effect on the kappa number and hexenuronic acids content of the pulp was apparent immediately after the enzymatic stage, and the most marked increase in brightness was observed after the chlorine dioxide stage.