Abstract: A system for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the operation of a kraft chemical recovery furnace which includes a mechanism for determining carryover particle counts, bed profile information, and temperature information of a smelt the bed over a major portion of the bed. The location and temperatures of high and low temperature spots on the bed can be determined. This information may be displayed in a convenient manner, such as on a common screen, for use by the furnace operator in controlling the furnace. Trending and history of bed performance in relationship to these characteristics may be tracked for use in diagnosing furnace operating problems and in adjusting parameters of the furnace to enhance furnace performance.

Abstract: A direct monitoring and control method is provided for on-line measurement of effective alkali, carbonate, sulfate and thiosulfate concentrations in process liquors for the production of kraft pulp. The control method eliminates frequent sampling, and the need for frequent equipment maintenance. The method includes the steps of withdrawing samples of a liquor from the kraft manufacturing process, subjecting the samples to infrared spectrophotometry at predetermined wave numbers to produce peak-absorbance measurements relative to a background spectrum of water, determining peak absorbance for different alkali concentrations, correlating relationships between the peak-absorbance measurements of samples with the peak absorbance for different alkali concentrations to determine optimum effective alkali in the samples, and controlling at least one process parameter to obtain effective alkali of the liquor.

Abstract: In the bleaching of paper pulp without chlorine, such as using an OTZE or OZP bleach sequence, filtrate from subsequent stages is used as a wash liquid in preceding wash stages. The filtrate is treated with a fiber filter, and then passes through a magnesium filter, which has magnesium chips with a maximum dimension of about 3 mm or less. The magnesium removes heavy metal ions, and if any of the magnesium dissolves in the filtrate it provides a beneficial affect on the pulp. The pH of the filtrate is typically maintained in the 2-6 range to facilitate dissolution of Cu, Mn and Fe while the magnesium stays out of solution. Two filters may be provided in parallel so that if one becomes contaminated the other may be quickly put into service, and any explosive gases from the magnesium filter are vented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for partial combustion of cellulose spent liquors using a burner equipped with a liquor lance and an atomizing nozzle, which burner is connected to a reactor operating at pressures in the range of 1.1 to 150 bars while supplying an oxygen containing gas, whereby the weight ratio between the oxygen containing gas supplied through the burner and the spent liquor solids supplied through the burner is less than 2:1, and that at least half of the non-fuel bound oxygen required for the partial combustion is discharged into the reactor through the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: Chemicals are recovered during the production of cellulose pulp by forming two different sulfidity melts in two different sections of a soda recovery boiler, and then producing cooking liquors from different melts in dissolving tanks. The liquors may be causticized and/or oxidized, or may be utilized uncausticized. Uncausticized green liquor having a sulfidity of about 70-90% may be used early in a kraft cooking cycle, followed by treatment with low sulfidity oxidized and causticized white liquor. In the continuous digestion of cellulosic pulp, oxygen may be added to the recirculation loops below the black liquor withdrawal to enhance the alkalinity of the slurry and to assist in delignification. Oxidized cooking liquor with low sulfidity can be added to oxygen bleaching and alkali extraction stages downstream of the digester, and a portion of the high sulfidity cooking liquor can be used to produce acid used in an ozone bleaching stage.

Abstract: In minimizing effluents from a cellulose pulp mill, liquid effluents from a bleach plant are concentrated, and then incinerated to produce a residue including sodium, sulfate, and sodium chloride. This residue is distilled with sulfuric acid to produce gaseous hydrogen chloride and remaining residue, the HCl being used in chloride dioxide production for the bleach plant, while the remaining residue is passed to the recovery loop (e.g. recovery boiler). Sulfur containing gases from the non-condensible gas system may be combusted to produce gaseous sulfur dioxide, which is then converted to sulfuric acid, to distill the residue. Where a non-chlorine bleach plant is provided, the liquid effluents may be concentrated in evaporators and then passed directly to the recovery boiler. The liquid streams in the mill are managed by a cascade principle to reserve the cleanest water for only those processes where it is needed while minimizing its use where it is not necessary.

Abstract: Chloride dioxide for a cellulose pulp mill bleach plant is produced by concentrating (evaporating) liquid effluents from the bleach plant to a concentration level high enough for incineration, incinerating the concentrated effluents to produce an ash, chemically reacting at least a part of the ash to produce chlorate, and using the chlorate in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide. The ash is purified to produce sodium chloride and the sodium chloride is reacted with oxygen and external energy to produce sodium chlorate. The chlorate is then used in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide. Sulfates produced are used to manufacture acid and/or caustic, and heavy metal hydroxides are disposed of. A part of the ash may be used directly in chlorine dioxide manufacture. At least some of the salt from chlorate manufacture may be fed to the chemical recovery loop, including a recovery boiler, in the pulp mill. Evaporated gases may be returned to the pulp mill and bleach plant.

Abstract: A black liquor gasification system intended for use as a replacement for a Tomlinson cycle, Chemical Recovery Unit, and which operates at a temperature below the ash melting temperature thereby removing the potential for smelt-water reactions and explosions. The subject black liquor gasification system is based on the use of a circulating fluidized bed operating at atmospheric pressure that produces dry, recoverable salts as well as low calorific gases to be used within the paper-making process.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a process or system for treating the effluent from a BCTMP pulp mill. The effluent is evaporated to produce a water condensate and a remaining waste product concentrate. The condensate is recycled for use in the BCTMP mill, or is dumped into the environment. The concentrate is incinerated in a recovery boiler. Incineration results in the recovery of certain reusable chemicals. At least some of such chemicals are fed back into the effluent while it is being evaporated, to buffer it, and thereby prevent the carryover of undesirable organic acids into the condensate. This ensures sufficient condensate purity for recycling it in the BCTMP process, or for otherwise dumping it into the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for profiling the bed of a furnace involves the production of a digital image of the bed and background. The digital image is processed to determine transitions in the image which correspond to transitions between the bed and background and thereby to the boundary of the bed. Bed characteristics, such as the bed profile, the bed height, the slope of the bed and the volume of the bed are determined from the processed image. The image may be displayed for use in controlling the performance of a furnace. In addition, the determined bed characteristics may be compared with reference bed characteristics, with the differences being displayed, used in controlling the operation of the furnace, or in activating an indicator, such as an alarm, in the event the reference and determined bed characteristics differ by a threshold amount.

Abstract: A method of drying black liquor to a dry solids content of about 100% in which water is evaporated from the black liquor by direct heat exchange contact with hot smelt from a recovery furnace in which the dried black liquor is burned.

Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of an acidic aqueous effluent derived from a chlorine or chlorine compound bleaching process. The acidic effluent is reacted with a neutralizing base selected from carbonates, hydroxides and oxides of Al, Cr, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Ni. The neutralized effluent is concentrated and residual base and HCl are subsequently recovered. The concentration of neutralized effluent may be accomplished by passing the neutralized effluent through the cooling tower of the pulp mill.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of heat and chemicals from spent liquor by evaporating water out from it in order to concentrate the liquor and be feeding the concentrated liquor thereby obtained and air into the soda-ash furnace. In order to increase the dry-matter content of the liquor to a level higher than usual, without at the same time increasing the viscositty of the liquor immoderately, at least the final concentrating (5, 9) of the liquor and its feeding (16) into the soda-ash furnace (4) are carried out under pressure at a temperature higher than the atmospheric boiling point of the liquor.

Abstract: A method for regulating the feed and/or combustion conditions of concentrated waste liquors of varying chemnical and physical properties, for their burning in a soda recovery unit, by determining the maximum expansion upon heating of a dry matter particle of the liquor to be fed into the soda recovery unit, and by regulating the feed and/or combustion conditions on the basis of the expansion thus determined. The measure used for the expansion is the ratio of the lignin present in the concentrated liquor to any one or several of the acids present in the concentrated liquor, such as aliphatic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of dry black liquor solids and more particularly to a process and apparatus for producing such solids having a moisture content below five percent water by weight. The process includes supplying a first stream of black liquor having a solids content in a range such that the first stream flows as a viscous liquid, supplying a second stream of black liquor solids having a solids content in a range such that the second stream flows as a friable granular dry solid, and mixing the first and second streams of black liquor solids and producing an output stream having a solids content such that the output stream flows as a dry solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering chemicals from spent liquors while at the same time utilizing energy liberated during the process. The spent liquors are gasified and partially disintegrated in a reactor (1), external thermal energy independent of combustion being simultaneously supplied to the reaction zone (2) of the reactor, after which the resultant melt is separated (at 9) at substantially the temperature prevailing at combustion, the gaseous product thereby formed being quenched in a quenching and cooling zone (6), to a temperature below 950.degree. C. A product gas is thus obtained which contains substantially no sulphur impurities, an alkali product with high sulphide content and an alkali product substantially free from sulphide and having low Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for concentrating an alkaline waste liquor containing sulfur compounds, the so-called black liquor, which is discharged from a step of Kraft-cooking wood fibers, in order to recover the cooking chemicals from said waste liquor, characterized in that CO.sub.2 gas and/or a gas containing CO.sub.2 gas is added to said waste liquor as a boiling-point-lowering agent, viscosity-lowering agent and solidification promoter, after a step of oxidizing said waste liquor and in or prior to one or more stages during the step of concentrating said waste liquor. Also disclosed is an apparatus for concentrating an alkaline waste liquor containing substantially no sulfur compounds (i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of regulating, for the purpose of burning soda-ash in a recovery boiler furnace, the feeding-in or combustion conditions of concentrated spent liquors of varying chemical and physical properties by measuring some physical property of a liquor fed into the recovery boiler furnace and by regulating the feeding-in and combustion conditions directly on the basis of the thus measured physical properties. According to the invention, the maximum swelling, upon heating, of a dry-matter particle of the liquor fed into the recovery boiler furnace is measured. On the basis of this measurement the temperature, pH value, or injection pressure of the liquor fed into the furnace, or the height of the injection point or the direction of injection, or the feeding of air into the furnace is adjusted directly on the basis of the maximum swelling measurement.

Abstract: Eenrgy and process chemicals are recovered from spent liquor in pulp preparation by thermally decomposing the spent liquor to solid and gaseous products at an elevated pressure and with addition of oxygen. The supply of oxygen should be less than that stoichiometrically required for a complete combustion and the temperature at the decomposition should be below the temperature at which a melt is formed.After recovery of sulfur-containing compounds the gas formed can give off energy in a gas turbine, thereafter generate steam and finally be used for drying fuel which is subsequently gasified under pressure and provides a further contribution of energy in the form of a combustible gas.Process chemicals are recovered from the solid products in known manner.

Abstract: A process for combusting black liquor by enriching the normal process air used in the combustion process by the addition of up to 5% oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of increasing the solids content of black liquor at its recovery in a sulfate pulping process. According to the invention, the liquor is first heated at a pressure which is so high that no boiling occurs at the heating temperature, after which the liquor is led to a tank where its pressure is released to a value below the saturation pressure of steam at the relative temperature of the liquor such that water is evaporated. The liquor thus concentrated can be led to the liquor combustion in the recovery process.

Abstract: Process for recovering chemicals and energy from cellulose waste liquors preferably black kraft liquor obtained in a paper pulp sulphate process, comprising the following, three distinct and separate steps: In the first step the concentrated black liquor is gasified in a pressurized gasification reactor by so called flash-pyrolysis at 700.degree. to 1300.degree. C., normally 800.degree.-900.degree. C., whereby an energy rich gas is produced, and in which the inorganic chemicals of the black liquor are contained in the form of molten suspended droplets, mainly comprising sodium carbonate and sodium sulphide. In the second step the gas from the gasification reactor is rapidly cooled through direct contact with water, and with green liquor, which is formed when the molten droplets and the hydrogen sulphide are dissolved in the quench liquid. The cooled gas subsequently passes through a scrubber.

Abstract: A process for cooking and bleaching pulp in a closed system, wherein spent liquors from the cooking and the bleaching are recovered and their chemicals are regenerated and recycled as cooking and bleaching chemicals.

Abstract: A system and method for converting pulp and paper mill waste water into a decolored, neutral pH effluent and a solid suitable for use as fuel in a furnace. The treatment system is used following primary and secondary treatment of pulp and paper mill waste waters typically found in the industry. After secondary biological treatment, the waste waters are pumped to a coagulation tank where the waste water is brought in contact with a polyamine coagulant which coagulates lignins, degraded sugars, and other compounds which typically discolor this water. The coagulation particles are increased in size by addition of an acrylamide polymer in a flocculation tank to improve the hydrophilic characteristics of the coagulant. The waste water is then mixed a dissolved air and water solution under pressure. Upon dissolution of the dissolved air at atmospheric pressure the air is absorbed by the flocculated matter in the aeration tank and the flocculated matter is caused to migrate towards the area of less pressure, i.e.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for producing potassium salts from potassium-based liquors for pulping of lignocellulosic material. The process comprises the steps of(a) digesting lignocellulosic material with a potassium-base aqueous cooling liquor to obtain an aqueous slurry of partially delignified pulp of the lignocellulosic material;(b) separating the pulp from the spent potassium-base aqueous cooling liquor;(c) concentrating the spent pulping liquor; and(d) recovering potassium salts including potassium carbonate, potassium sulphate and potassium lignosulphonate from the concentrated spent pulping liquor. The recovered potassium salts find numerous uses, an example being use in fertilizers.

Abstract: A deicing product comprising a mixture having, based upon the total weight of solid in said deicing product between 12% and 75% acetate salts, trace amounts and 36% carbonate salts, 1 and 24% formate salts, 1 and 32% pseudolactate salts. The cations of said salts are selected from the class consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium. Lignin fractions and low molecular weight sugars may also be present, as well as other chemicals derived from the method of making black liquor and this new product. A method of making same is disclosed. It comprises using a black liquor obtained from a pulp mill operation, fractionating said black liquor into a low molecular weight fraction, concentrating said collected low molecular weight fraction to produce a concentrated deicing product.

Abstract: A partially-oxidized spent pulping liquor is produced which is added to unoxidized strong spent pulping liquor prior, during, or subsequent to concentration to form a novel partially-oxidized, concentrated, high total solids spent pulping liquor. This novel, partially-oxidized, concentrated spent liquor is capable of being combusted in a spent liquor recovery furnace without the addition of auxiliary heating fuel with a resultant increase in the effective capacity of that furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of chemicals from waste liquor from wood pulp process, primarily black liquor, while utilizing energy liberated. Controlled total vaporization of the pulp waste liquor at high temperature and low oxygen potential is achieved by the external supply of energy. During the subsequent condensation and separation of melt or water solution is obtained which, without causticizing, can be used for the preparation of white liquor, and also an energy rich gas and mainly free from sulphur, consisting primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of chemicals from waste liquor from wood pulp process, primarily black liquor, while utilizing energy liberated. Controlled total vaporization of the pulp waste liquor at high temperature and low oxygen potential is achieved by the external supply of energy. During the subsequent condensation and separation a melt or water solution is obtained which, without causticizing, can be used for the preparation of white liquor, and also an energy rich gas and mainly free from sulphur, consisting primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method comprising operating steps required for safely operating wet oxidation reactors in which combustible substances are oxidized at elevated temperatures and pressures using pure oxygen. The steps satisfy the criteria that a potential of oxidation is established prior to introducing oxygen and maintained until after oxygen flow is stopped; that an inert gas, either from an external source or generated in situ, is present in the reactor from before oxygen flow is introduced until after oxygen flow is stopped; and that the oxygen introducing means is clean for oxygen use from prior to the introduction of oxygen flow until after the oxygen flow is stopped.

Abstract: A continuous process for wet oxidation of aqueous liquor containing combustible matter using oxygen or oxygen enriched gas. An inert diluent gas is injected into the aqueous liquor or reactor off-gas such that oxygen in the gas phase is diluted by the sum of generated water vapor, produced carbon dioxide and injected inert gas to a concentration less than required for spontaneous combustion at every location in the system having surfaces not continually exposed to a continuous liquid water phase.

Abstract: An improvement in the wet oxidation of caustic waste liquors wherein carbon dioxide produced in the wet oxidation is recycled to raw caustic waste to neutralize the latter, thereby reducing the corrosive nature of the waste.

Abstract: High heat recovery and minimized oxygen requirement for oxidation of sulfur compounds in black liquor is obtained by integrating the oxidation into the multiple effect evaporation system of the pulp mill recovery sequence. The oxidation step is carried out at an intermediate stage in the multiple effect concentration of weak black liquor in counterflow to the external heat input, and the thus oxidized liquor is then further concentrated by flow through the remaining effects of the system co-currently with the direction of heat flow.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing and removing remaining sodium sulfide as well as generated sulfur compounds by introducing oxygen into cooking liquor at high temperature and high pressure in the end stage of kraft cooking.

Abstract: High recovery of useful energy from the heat of reaction in the oxidation of black liquor is obtained by integrating the oxidation into the multiple effect evaporation system of the pulp mill recovery sequence. The heat of reaction is thereby recovered as flash steam, which when combined with the vapors from an appropriate evaporator body enables recovery of its energy through further evaporation. The oxidation reaction may be carried out on the liquor leaving the second effect of the evaporation sequence for maximum energy recovery, or in accordance with an alternative embodiment, the reaction is carried out between the first effect and the flash tank with preferable addition of a second flash tank in series with the first.

Abstract: A method for disposal of sodium containing waste material comprising combustion sodium containing waste material and a silica bearing material in an incinerator having interior walls lined with a refractory material which tends to react with metallic sodium and deteriorate. The sodium containing waste material comprises sodium salt and/or bases and by providing reaction conditions whereby the metallic sodium tends to react with silica to provide a combustion product including a sodium silicate compound, the combustion is carried out in manner to reduce deterioration of refractory materials by reaction with metallic sodium. Also disclosed is a method for the simultaneous disposal of sodium containing waste material and rice hulls which contain silica and provide a portion of the combustion energy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved wet air oxidation system and method for reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of waste water used from scrubbers of coal gasification plants, with this COD reduction being sufficient to effectively eliminate waste water as an environmental pollutant. The improvement of the present invention is provided by heating the air used in the oxidation process to a temperature substantially equal to the temperature in the oxidation reactor before compressing or pressurizing the air. The compression of the already hot air further heats the air which is then passed in heat exchange with gaseous products of the oxidation reaction for "superheating" the gaseous products prior to the use thereof in turbines as the driving fluid. The superheating of the gaseous products significantly minimizes condensation of gaseous products in the turbine so as to provide a substantially greater recovery of mechanical energy from the process than heretofore achieved.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process of pretreating a waste black liquor which results from the pulping of various vegetative fibers and wherein the pulping liquor contains as its active pulping ingredient sodium and sulfur with the pretreatment taking place prior to the subjecting of the waste black liquor to a hydropyrolysis reaction. The method and the materials used in the pretreatment are derived from the reaction products resulting from the hydropyrolysis reaction. The pretreatment serves to enable one to regenerate the inorganic chemical values a pulping liquor in an easy and economical manner and the pretreatment, also, serves to appropriately adjust the physical and chemical characteristics of the char produced in the hydropyrolysis reaction. This is accomplished primarily by utilizing the products resulting from the hydropyrolysis reaction.

Abstract: Sodium sulfide or sodium hydrosulfide is oxidized to form sodium polysulfide and sodium hydroxide which may be further oxidized to sodium thiosulfate and sodium hydroxide. The oxidant is air, oxygen or oxygen in mixture with other gases, the reductant is aqueous sodium sulfide or sodium hydrosulfide and the reaction is carried out with both reactants in non-flooded contact with a solid catalyst material, of which a typical example is a particulate carbon treated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The reaction is typically conducted at atmospheric pressure and without the application of heat, with the oxidant and the reductant being in interfacial contact with each other, but only, insofar as possible, at sites where both are simultaneously in contact with a catalyst which is prevented from being flooded by either the oxidant or reductant.

Abstract: A process for wet oxidation of a liquid waste effluent using a vertical-type pressure-proof container in which a free space is provided at each of the axial lower and upper ends and the remaining space between the axial ends is divided into at least two spaces, at least one serving as an effluent-descending space and the other as an effluent-ascending space, by furnishing at least one partition, which process comprising introducing a liquid waste effluent and circulating the effluent through the effluent-descending space, lower free space, effluent-ascending space and upper free space while oxidizing the effluent with an oxidizing gas ejected upward into the effluent-ascending space and withdrawing the oxidized effluent and used oxidizing gas through an outlet provided at the top of the container.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pulp, involving the steps of mechanically milling a fibrous vegetable material at an elevated temperature, delignifying the milled material by reaction with a chlorine-containing compound and ammonia or ammonium hydroxide, and recovering the chlorine-containing compound from the waste liquor in the form of hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the requirement of fresh chemicals without increasing emissions in the pulping of cellulosic material with alkaline sodium- and sulfur-containing-sulfate pulping liquor, which comprises evaporating and burning spent sulfate pulping liquor to obtain a smelt; dissolving the resulting smelt in water to form a sodium-sulfide-sodium carbonate-containing solution green liquor; regenerating pulping white liquor containing sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide from said green liquor; and recirculating said regenerated white liquor to the pulping stage; oxidizing at least one of the resulting green and white liquors to form sodium thiosulfate therein; reacting the oxidized liquor with residual acid liquor, from the manufacture of chlorine dioxide by reduction of an alkali metal chlorate solution, to convert thiosulfate to sulfur dioxide and sulfur; removing and recovering formed sulfur dioxide; and returning the residual liquor, freed from sulfur dioxide, to the pulping.

Abstract: An improved process for treating spent Kraft wood pulping liquors by coking the liquors after reducing the pH thereof with SO.sub.2 and recovering the sulfur contained in the resulting coke by contact with hydrogen preheated to temperatures in the range of 750.degree. to 2000.degree. F to produce H.sub.2 S. The H.sub.2 S and lime are added to the coker effluent to form new kraft cooking liquor.

Abstract: Oxidation and fixing of sulfur and sulfur compounds in weak black liquor is accomplished by methods which insure minimal odorous sulfur emissions and which facilitate the collection of sulfate soaps. By critical adjustment of certain parameters substantially complete oxidation of sulfur and sulfur compounds is achieved, with maximum utilization of oxygen, while enhancing the collection of sulfate soaps and minimizing the production of foam. Various methods are disclosed for the oxygenation of weak black liquor, including the utilization of reaction columns, conical reactors, and venturis.

Abstract: A process for preparing pulp in a closed system by pre-cooking fibrous raw material in an alkaline aqueous solution of sodium carbonate or a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate as the only alkaline ingredients at 90.degree.-190.degree. C, defibrating the pre-cooked material, pulping the defibrated material in an alkaline aqueous solution of sodium carbonate or a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate as the only alkaline ingredients in a pressurized vessel at 90.degree.-170.degree. C in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas, subjecting waste liquor discharged from the pre-cooking and pulping steps to wet combustion to recover an alkaline aqueous substance and recycling the alkaline aqueous substance resulting from combustion to the pre-cooking and/or pulping steps.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions and suspensions of solid particles, even those containing less than one percent of organic materials, may be combusted with air, oxygen, or their mixtures in a process which provides for preheating in countercurrent batches of the raw original liquid by either open (direct contact) or closed (heat transfer surface) condensation of steam generated by multiple flash evaporations which cool earlier batches of hot liquid after the wet combustion. Excess heat may often be withdrawn from the process for power generation or other use as high pressure steam, with or without combustion gases and other non-condensibles. No pumps are necessary, liquid batches are pressurized by steam generated in the flash evaporations for which only one pressure vessel is required instead of the many in the continuous processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for delignifying and bleaching cellulose pulp, which comprises carrying out the delignification and bleaching with oxygen and alkali in the presence of sodium bicarbonate, while removing carbon dioxide from the gas phase as required to maintain a carbon dioxide partial pressure within the range from about 0.001 to about 3 bars, thereby improving the selectivity of the delignification and bleaching.

Abstract: A wet oxidation system comprising a reactor, means supplying liquor and air through preheaters to the reactor, means for cooling the oxidized products from the reactor to substantially less than 200.degree. F, or close to the temperature of the incoming air and liquor, and means for separating the liquid and gas phases at the lower temperature; means for injecting a controlled amount of water into the relatively dry and cool gas stream from the separation means, and means for heating the gas stream with the products from the reactor to substantially completely vaporize the water injected, or completely vaporize and superheat the water injected, and means for delivering the gas stream so generated to a device for recovering mechanical power.

Abstract: The liquid phase coking of waste kraft pulping liquors can be effected with a shorter residence time in the coking means at lower temperature, and lower pressure by reducing the pH of such liquors by at least one pH unit before coking. Products are lower in malodorous organic sulfur components than those produced at a higher pH.The lowering of the pH is achieved by adding sulfur dioxide to the liquor either as free SO.sub.2 or as an aqueous solution of SO.sub.2.