Abstract: A method and apparatus for contacting and reacting fine cellulosic material with acid to produce partly-hydrolyzed cellulose, in which the cellulose is compressed to form higher density material, resulting in reduced consumption of acid and increased uniformity of reaction times. Cellulosic material, such as ground wood pulp, is compressed to reduce the interstitial spaces therein. The compressed material is contacted with an acid, such as sulfuric acid, which is allowed to wick into the interstitial spaces and react with the cellulose to produce partly-hydrolyzed cellulose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contacting and reacting fine cellulosic material with acid to produce partly-hydrolyzed cellulose, in which the cellulose is compressed to form higher density material, resulting in reduced consumption of acid and increased uniformity of reaction times. Cellulosic material, such as ground wood pulp, is compressed to reduce the interstitial spaces therein. The compressed material is contacted with an acid, such as sulfuric acid, which is allowed to wick into the interstitial spaces and react with the cellulose to produce partly-hydrolyzed cellulose.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of alkali metal hydroxide and acid from the alkali metal salts of monovalent anions which are mixed with the alkali metal salts of multivalent anions employs a water-splitting system composed of bipolar membranes in conjunction with ion-selective membranes; a two-compartment cell employs monovalent anion-selective membranes to define salt/base and acid compartments with the bipolar membranes, and a three-compartment cell employs, monovalent anion-selective and cation-selective membranes to define with the bipolar membranes, acid, salt and base compartments; the process has particular applicability to the conversion of the sodium/potassium chloride portion of the Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) Catch of the recovery boiler of coastal and/or closed-cycle kraft pulp mills, a mixture of mostly sodium/potassium sulphate and chloride, into sodium/potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid; the remaining sodium/potassium sulphate solution, depleted in chloride, can thus be used as sodium/s

Abstract: A chemical pulp which contains reactants capable of generating dioxirane within the pulp is produced in a process which comprises mixing a pulp with reactants comprising a carbonyl compound, preferably acetone, and an oxygen donor, preferably monoperoxysulfate, in proportions which produce a water-soluble dioxirane having a molecular diameter of less than 140 angstrom units. Such a pulp bleaching process which employs dioxirane as a bleaching agent is rendered environmentally and economically acceptable by recycling the reactants employed to produce the dioxirane.