Abstract: A process for delignifying and bleaching a lignocellulosic pulp without the use of elemental chlorine by partially delignifying the pulp to a K No. of about 10 or less and a viscosity of greater than about 13 cps; and further delignifying the partially delignified pulp with an effective amount of ozone for a sufficient time to obtain a substantially delignified pulp having a K No. of about 5 or less, a viscosity of greater than about 10, and a GE brightness of at least about 50%. The substantially delignified pulp may be brightened by the addition of a bleaching agent such as chlorine dioxide or a peroxide to obtain a final product having a GE brightness of at least about 65%, preferably above 70% to as high as 90%. Because of the absence of elemental chlorine in this sequence, filtrate from all stages but the chlorine dioxide stage (if used) can be recovered without sewering. Major environmental improvements are thus achieved.

Abstract: A process for delignifying and bleaching a lignocellulosic pulp without the use of elemental chlorine by partially delignifying the pulp to a K No. of about 10 or less and a viscosity of greater than about 13 cps; and further delignifying the partially delignified pulp with an effective amount of ozone for a sufficient time to obtain a substantially delignified pulp having a K No. of about 5 or less, a viscosity of greater than about 10, and a GE brightness of at least about 50%. The substantially delignified pulp may be brightened by the addition of a bleaching agent such as chlorine dioxide or a peroxide to obtain a final product having a GE brightness of at least about 65%, preferably above 70% to as high as 90%. Because of the absence of elemental chlorine in this sequence, filtrate from all stages but the chlorine dioxide stage (if used) can be recovered without sewering. Major environmental improvements are thus achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved chlorinated pulp bleaching process and apparatus which reduces caustic requirements significantly, wherein the washed chlorinated pulp, after first separating therefrom the effluent from the chlorination stage washing step, is treated with recycled alkaline extraction stage effluent in an additional washing step between the chlorination stage washing step and the extraction stage washing step; and wherein the effluent from the additional washing step is separated from the twice-washed pulp and, optionally wherein that effluent is recycled as shower water for the chlorination stage washing step, before the twice washed pulp is mixed with the caustic in the extraction stage.

Abstract: A method for the production of delignified wood pulp is provided which result in said pulp's having improved delignification ratios. In accordance with preferred embodiments, brownstocks are substantially uniformly treated with aqueous alkaline solution while in a state of low consistency. The consistency is then increased to values preferably in excess of about 20% and the brownstock treated with oxygen to effect delignification. The processes of the invention provide surprising improvements over prior methods in the high strength, low lignin containing pulps may be formed thereby. These pulps can be further bleached to high brightness with less subsequent bleach chemical.

Abstract: A process is described in which, by the addition of formamidinesulfinic acid in association with an ozone or ozone/oxygen treatment, the viscosity and strength of wood pulps are stabilized at the level that is obtained with use of conventional, chlorine-containing bleaching processes.

Abstract: An improved process for bleaching cellulosic pulp in a first chlorination stage of a multi-stage bleaching process is provided, which involves an improved process for bleaching cellulosic pulp in a first chlorination stage of a multi-stage bleaching process, comprising: (a) admixing cellulosic pulp with a first chlorine dioxide charge and reacting the cellulosic pulp and said chlorine dioxide for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to about 10 minutes; (b) admixing the cellulosic pulp effluent obtained after step (a) wtih chlorine and chlorine dioxide and reacting the thus-obtained cellulosic pulp for a period of time ranging from 1 second to about 10 minutes; and then (c) admixing the cellulosic pulp effluent obtained after step (b) with a second chlorine dioxide charge and reacting the thus-obtained cellulosic pulp effluent for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to about 10 minutes, wherein the pH of the reaction mixture is maintained throughout the bleaching process at from about 5.

Abstract: A method for the screening of defibred pulp bleached in several steps. In the method, the pulp coming from an acidic bleaching step (2) is screened (3, 4, 5, 6) at the same time as it is treated with an alkali. In this way, no separate alkali stage is needed.

Abstract: The chemical components of lignocellulosic material which have been dissociated by a steam explosion process can be extracted from the mixture of components using a solvent extraction process. The solvents are water, alcohol and a mild caustic in that order, or the alcohol step can be by-passed and only water and caustic are used. The caustic is a stronger solvent and it will extract the alcohol solubles along with the caustic only solubles. The eluant from the these extractions contains a range of lignin derived substances, which have different applications, such as thermoplastic and thermosetting characteristics. This invention describes a method for partitioning these lignin components into reproducible fractions having definable characteristics for particular applications. For instance, many copolymer applications require a thermosetting only fraction of the lignin. Other applications require a thermoplastic only lignin.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the quality of a pulp which has been subjected to a chlorine-based bleaching agent, by subjecting the chlorinated pulp to ozonation prior to an extraction stage in the bleaching sequence. The improved pulp of the present invention includes reduction of total organically bound chlorine residues in the wood pulp and adsorbed organic halides (AOX) in the effluent, and has good brightness and viscosity. The advantages of the present invention may be accomplished by means of a bleaching sequence that employs as few as four stages, namely DZED with attendant relatively lower capital investment than heretofore possible.

Abstract: In the method of chemical pulping of wood including a chlorination stage pulp bleaching step followed by alkaline extraction, a method of reducing the amount of dioxins and furans produced thereby is disclosed wherein the brownstock pulp is first washed with alcohol prior to bleaching.

Abstract: A process for the separation of the fibres from each other in lignocellulosic (straw, bagasse, wood) composites, and at the same time to dissociate the Lignin and the Xylan in the middle lamella and the primary wall of the lignocellulosic material, to enable a simple non reactive solvent extraction of the middle lamella and primary wall components while substantially retaining the structural integrity of the fibre bundle, sometimes referred to as the S2 layer, which is the strength member of the lignocellulosic fibre. The purpose of this process is to produce a fibre suitable to replace conventional Chemical Thermal Mechanical Pulp, for paper or as a carrier for high absorbency Cellulose in diaper and similar absorbent material applications, and at the same time to recover the chemical components of the middle lamella and the primary wall of the fibre, as co-products in a marketable, chemically reactive form.

Abstract: Ozone and chlorine are used to bleach cellulosic fibrous material pulp in the production of kraft pulp for paper and paper products, being applied together in a mixture. When the ozone and chlorine are applied simultaneously it is possible to achieve delignification to a greater extent than is possible utilizing chlorine at any level. The total chlorinated ring compounds in the bleach plant effluent are remarkably reduced utilizing the ozone-chlorine mixture, compared to all chlorine, with resulting decrease in the fish toxicity of the bleach plant effluent. Utilizing an O.sub.3 /Cl.sub.2 E.sub.o D bleaching sequence (only three stages) it is possible to obtain pulp with 90 TAPPI Absolute, or greater, brightness.

Abstract: A process for bleaching a lignocellulosic matter in the form of a mechanical, thermomechanical, chemicomechanical or chemicothermomechanical papermaking pulp, or of wood chips while being converted into one of these pulp types by processing in a machine consisting essentially of two interpenetrating spiral surfaces wound around parallel shafts driven in synchronous rotation in the same direction inside a barrel which encloses them, and determining between upstream and downstream in the direction of forward travel of the matter a series of zones for drawing and braking the matter, which comprises combining a bleaching treatment using a reducing agent and a bleaching treatment using an oxidizing agent, characterized in that, after pretreatment using at least one metal-complexing or sequestering agent, the lignocellulosic matter undergoes a washing operation with an efficiency greater than 96% before undergoing in succession a bleaching treatment using a reducing agent at a pH of between about 8 and 12, a washin

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic fibrous materials prior to delingification. The process in one of its embodiments is comprised of the following steps:1. Contacting the pulp material with treated filtrate and alkali for a short reaction period of about 1 to 2 minutes at 40.degree. C.,2. Withdrawing part of the liquid phase by filtration,3. Displacing substantially all of the remaining liquid phase with treated filtrate, and4. Allowing the pulp to react under conditions normally used for alkaline extraction or oxygen delignification.The treated filtrate is obtained by subjecting the liquor removed from the pulp at steps 2 and 3 to temperature of 5.degree. to 60.degree. C. for periods of about 5 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, step 3 can be eleminated.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a suspension, such as pulp, with one or more treatment liquids in a manner that maximizes treatment efficiency and minimizes heat loss. The pulp flows in a flow path confined to a given web thickness, and has first and second opposite sides. Treatment liquid is added to the first side of the flow path at spaced predetermined points along its length. Liquid displaced by the treatment liquid is withdrawn from the second side of the flow path at substantially the predetermined points. The displaced liquid at the first predetermined point along the flow path consists essentially of original suspension liquid, while the liquid fraction of the pulp past the last predetermined point of the flow path is composed mainly of treatment liquid added at the last predetermined point. Treatment can be accomplished at super-atmospheric pressure and at a temperature above 100.degree. C. The web thickness is between about 50-500 mm.

Abstract: An improved process for bleaching and delignifying cellulose pulp. The process comprises subjecting the pulp to a bleaching stage followed by washing, and thereafter extracting the bleached pulp as received from the bleaching stage in a caustic extraction stage in the presence of oxygen and hypochlorite. The preferred embodiment is a sequential treatment of the bleached pulp with oxygen and hypochlorite without a pulp washing step between chemical additions. The process is characterized by enhanced delignification with high brightness and high viscosity. The process is further characterized by extraction stage filtrates of improved environmental characteristics.

Abstract: Extraction of chlorine bleached kraft wood pulps with aqueous peracids at pH values of 7 or below, aqueous sulfites at pH values below 10 or with certain non-aqueous solvents provides extracted pulps having lower residual color and permits use of lesser quantities of alkali or chlorine dioxide in subsequent bleach steps to attain brightness and strength levels comparable to those attained with pulps treated by alkaline extraction at pH values of 10 or higher. At a comparable level of alkali and chlorine dioxide or hypochlorite application, extraction of chlorinated pulp with peracids provides bleached pulps with enhanced brightness.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for the delignification and bleaching of lignocellulosic pulp is disclosed wherein the first alkaline extraction stage comprises extracting the pulp with caustic in the presence of oxygen and either a hypochlorite or a peroxide.

Abstract: Wood pulp is bleached in a process which includes passing pulp slurry from a chlorine tower through a washer to a downflow extraction tower which is open to the ambient atmosphere. Caustic and steam are supplied to the extraction tower as is dilution water which is introduced into the lower portion thereof. Oxygen is dissolved in the dilution water which may be at least partially comprised of recycled washer filtrate. This addition of oxygen to the dilution zone of an extraction stage enables the consumption of chemicals such as hypochlorite and/or chlorine dioxide to be reduced while still meeting required levels of pulp brightness and strength. Oxygen may be added to the extraction or other alkaline stages of a bleaching process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pulp bleaching at several bleaching stages by utilizing two or more different bleach chemicals. Bleach chemical (E) is in turn led to the pulp so that it displaces of pulp the chemical used at the preceding stage (C/D, D). Displacing chemical (E) is led to the pulp sheet when on the filtering area of a multi-stage drum washer (1, 2).

Abstract: The invention is a fibrous, cationic cellulose pulp product and the method for preparing it. A water suspension of cellulosic fiber is treated under alkaline conditions with a condensate of epichlorohydrin and dimethylamine. Up to 30 molar percent of the DMA may be replaced by a crosslinking agent such as ammonia or a lower aliphatic diamine. The process may be carried out at room or elevated temperatures. It is practical to add the condensate at one of the later alkaline stages of a bleaching process; e.g., an alkaline extraction or peroxide stage. This is most preferably done later than any chlorination or hypochlorite stages. The product shows greatly improved retention of acid and other anionic dyes. It also shows superior retention of some pigments and latices without the need for other cationic aids. In some cases a small amount of alum appears to have a synergistic retention effect with the cationic pulp product when used with titanium dioxide and certain anionic latices.

Abstract: A process for maintaining pulp viscosity during the bleaching stage or stages of pulp preparation in the manufacture of paper comprising adding an effective amount of caffeine or guanine prior to or during the bleaching stage. One example adds caffeine or guanine to one bleach stage of a chlorine bleaching sequence.

Abstract: A process for the delignification and bleaching of chemical and semi-chemical cellulosic pulps in which the pulp is subjected to a treatment with oxygen and a subsequent treatment with peroxide. The effluent from the treatment with peroxide is at least partially recycled to the treatment with oxygen.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delignification of ligno-cellulose containing fiber material comprising mixing an oxygen-containing gas with the cellulose fiber material so as to atomize the gas and form a foam of the gas and the cellulose fiber material, and without an intervening oxidation step, subjecting the foam to upwardly flowing, substantially non-pressurized, alkali extraction. The alkali extraction step is conducted at a temperature of from about 40.degree. to about 80.degree. C. and at a pH, ligno cellulose containing fiber concentration and oxygen containing gas concentration sufficient to provide a bleached, delignified cellulose fiber without bleaching the lignin substance extracted from the material and to suppress lignin condensation reaction during the extraction.

Abstract: In the bleaching of wood pulp using the conventional CEH sequence with subsequent oxidation stages, the third stage (H) is replaced by peroxide oxidation (P) to a brightness level of 35-50 GE. Final brightness levels of 70-88 GE are attained using no greater amounts of chemicals in the subsequent stages than are required in the conventional CEHDH process. The temperature in the P stage is between 120.degree. and 170.degree. F.

Abstract: A process is provided for the processing of certain organic agricultural foodstuff by-products normally having little commercial value to produce a cellulosic product suitable for human consumption or use in various products. The process of the present invention is characterized by subjecting a variety of certain agricultural by-products having little commercial value, such as, for example, soy bean hulls, to a series of separate steps utilizing certain chemical treating to effect a solubilizing and removal of the non-cellulosic components of the by-product agricultural material to produce residue solids which consist essentially of cellulose. The cellulose residue solids are subjected to specified purification procedures and thereafter dried to produce a short, fine fibered cellulose which may be processed to a fine powdered state suitable for use as a component part in a wide variety of edible or otherwise useable products by humans, an example of such a product being a low calorie bread.

Abstract: The bleaching of fluff cellulosic pulp with a gaseous ozone bleaching agent at an acidic pH is often followed by an alkaline treatment, usually an alkaline extraction or an alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching treatment, at a much higher water content than the gaseous ozone treatment of the fluff pulp. Such a bleaching sequence of gaseous ozone bleaching followed by an alkaline treatment is improved by the present invention based upon two discoveries, first, the discovery of peroxygen bleaching values in the water associated with the fluff pulp leaving the ozone bleaching treatment, and second, the peroxygen values are destroyed at the alkaline pH used for the alkaline treatment that follows the gaseous ozone bleaching treatment. In accordance with the discoveries, a Low Consistency Acidic Retention Treatment is interposed between the gaseous ozone bleaching treatment and the alkaline treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for bleaching preoxidized paper pulp enabling a pulp having a very high degree of whiteness to be obtained with a limited number of treatment steps and enabling pollution to be reduced without degrading the qualities of the pulp; such a process essentially comprises the combination of the three successive treatment steps, namely:(a) a first step of hot chlorination with gaseous chlorine at a temperature of between about 30.degree. and 80.degree. C., and preferably between 35.degree. and 50.degree. C., in the presence of urea used at a rate of 0.5 to 5% by weight of the chlorine used, and preferably from 1 to 3%, with a concentration of pulp of between 3 and 30%, and a duration of retention of the chlorine of 30 seconds to 45 minutes;(b) a second step of alkaline extraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent of the hypochlorite or peroxide type, at a temperature of between about 30.degree. and 70.degree. C., and at a pH of between about 8 and 12, and preferably between 10.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing waste stream pollutants by the control and separation of color bodies, COD, BOD and other organics from inorganic chloride pollutants in the aqueous waste effluent of a cellulosic pulp bleaching process containing a sequential chlorination stage (D.sub.c) or mixture (D/C) stage followed by an extraction (E) or oxygen (O) stage, comprising, maintaining the conditions of the D.sub.

Abstract: A multi-stage, bleaching process for alkaline cooked pulps, including at least four bleaching stages and no more than three washing steps, is provided, wherein certain of the bleaching stages are shortened to less than about 15 minutes.

Abstract: A method for increasing the final brightness of pulp contaminated with iron or manganese in a chlorine bleaching process of the type comprising one or more alkaline stages which comprises treating the pulp with at least 0.1 lbs. per ton of a water-soluble chelating agent.

Abstract: A process is provided for the acid bleaching of cellulose pulp with peroxides at a pH within the range from about -0.5 to about 3, followed immediately by aqueous alkaline extraction of the dissolvable lignin without intermediate washing.

Abstract: A pulp mill bleach plant operation having a low effluent volume, a low consumption of water, energy and chemicals, and yet provides efficient bleaching, caustic extraction and washing is described. Water conservation is practised by controlling the use of wash water in the bleach plant, controlling the design and operation of washers, deckers and other mechanical devices used in the bleach plant and controlling the inflow of water with chemicals. An aqueous polluting effluent-free pulp mill water utilization system is also described.

Abstract: A process is provided for the bleaching of cellulose pulp, particularly for the peroxide bleaching of high yield pulp, which comprises forming a suspension of lignocellulosic pulp material; mixing the suspension in a mixing zone with a bleaching agent while adjusting the temperature of the pulp suspension to within the range from about +10.degree. C. to about -10.degree. C. of a temperature within the range from about 40.degree. to about 95.degree. C. at which bleaching is to be carried out; quickly dewatering the pulp suspension to a pulp consistency within the range from about 18 to about 50%, equal to or at most 5% less than the pulp consistency of the pulp suspension charged to the mixing zone; passing the dewatered pulp suspension to the bleaching zone before its temperature can change substantially from the adjusted temperature; carrying out the bleaching with a bleaching agent at the selected bleaching temperature within the range from about 40 to about 95.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for delignifying lignocellulosic pulps, which comprises the steps of (a) impregnating a lignocellulosic pulp slurry with a water-soluble manganous salt having a manganous ion concentration of from about 1% to about 10%, by weight of oven-dried pulp; (b) mixing the impregnated pulp slurry with an amount of alkali equal to the stoichiometric quantity of alkali required to precipitate the soluble manganous ion as insoluble manganous hydroxide; (c) aerating the pulp slurry with an oxygen-containing gas without further addition of alkali and in the absence of alkali for a period of time sufficient to oxidize substantially all of the manganous hydroxide to manganic hydroxide; (d) treating the pulp slurry with sufficient sulfuric acid to lower the slurry pH to at least about 3, thus releasing soluble manganic ions to oxidize the pulp lignins; (e) separating the effluent containing manganous ions from the pulp slurry with a non-alkaline wash; and then (f) extracting the oxidized lignins from the pulp slurry

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: Paper pulp is prepared from dicotyledonous plants by stirring said plants in an alkaline solution in the presence of a surfactant and stain inhibiting agent to obtain a stock containing a woody core fraction and a bark fraction containing bast fibers, separating said fractions and then cooking and bleaching the bark fraction in an alkaline solution containing an oxidizing agent and an alkyl sulfate surfactant.

Abstract: A pulp mill bleach plant operation having a low effluent volume, a low consumption of water, energy and chemicals, and yet provides efficient bleaching, caustic extraction and washing is described. Water conservation is practised by controlling the use of wash water in the bleach plant, controlling the design and operation of washers, deckers and other mechanical devices used in the bleach plant and controlling the inflow of water with chemicals. An aqueous polluting effluent-free pulp mill water utilization system is also described.

Abstract: Efficient lignin removal from cellulosic pulp with decreased cellulose degradation is attained by replacing chlorine with an acidic bromine-chlorine mixture in acidic chlorination of the pulp.

Abstract: A process is provided for the delignification of lignocellulosic material wherein the lignocellulosic material, prior to the delignification, is treated with water or an aqueous solution to remove compounds which catalyze the degradation of carbohydrates and then the delignification is carried out with oxygen and alkali in the presence of a manganese compound to improve the selectivity of the delignification and increase the rate of delignification.

Abstract: The colored body content of the effluent from the alkali of a multi-stage cellulosic pulp bleach process is greatly reduced by extracting bleached cellulosic pulp with hypochlorite at a pH from about 6 to less than 9.

Abstract: A process for the delignification and bleaching of a lignocellulosic pulp slurry, having a consistency between about 1% and 10%, by weight of oven-dried pulp, and a pH between about 1 and 7, while at a temperature between about 0.degree. C. and 70.degree. C., with a gaseous mixture selected from the group consisting of ozone/oxygen, ozone/air, and a mixture thereof. The ozone containing gaseous mixture, which has an ozone concentration of from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight of oxygen or air, is bubbled into the pulp slurry, while agitating the pulp slurry at a rate of about 0.01 to 5.0 horsepower-days per ton of pulp.

Abstract: A pulping process which includes the steps of oxidizing vegetable materials with an oxidizing chemical selected from the group comprising Cl.sub.2, Cl.sub.2 O,ClO.sub. 2, Mg(ClO).sub.2, Mg(ClO.sub.2).sub.2 Mg.(ClO.sub. 3).sub.2 and mixtures thereof, extracting the oxidized materials with Mg(OH).sub.2 thereby to delignify and bleach the materials and treating the waste liquor from the oxidation, extraction and washing steps by combustion or thermal decomposition thereby to regenerate the chemicals necessary for the oxidation and extraction steps. The process of the invention produces semi-bleached or completely bleached pulp of high strength with high yield while eliminating the problem relating to environmental pollution.

Abstract: Plant material containing hemicellulose and lignin is prehydrolyzed in the presence of steam and the vapors of a dilute acid solution having a pH of 1.5-3.5 at a temperature of 105.degree. C to 135.degree. C for 7-20 minutes to hydrolyze the hemicellulose into pentoses and hexoses and to leave a fibrous material and a liquid, said liquid containing said pentoses and hexoses. The liquid is separated from the fibrous material, and the pentoses and hexoses are recovered from the liquid. The fibrous material is digested with white liquor at a temperature of 105.degree. C to 135.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for purifying the effluent from a pulp bleaching process which includes a chlorine treatment, an alkali extraction, and a final bleaching is disclosed, wherein a number of washing steps are connected in counter-current series from a final wash step in the final bleach section to the wash step of the first alkali extraction stage, the strongly polluted effluent from the wash step of the first alkali extraction stage is passed through a first column containing a bed of particulate porous resin which traps and retains organic pollutants in the effluent, and a combined effluent which includes an acidic polluted liquor from the chlorine bleaching stage and a partly purified filtrate from the first column is fed through a second column which contains a bed of particulate porous resin which traps organic pollutants fed therethrough, with the resin bed in the second column being activated by the acidic nature of the combined effluent, with chloride ions in the combined effluent essentially passing through t

Abstract: A composition which consists essentially of a mixture of oligomeric and polymeric oxidation products of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin containing carboxy, ether and hydroxy groups as obtained by the direct oxidation of a woody plant material, preferably in an aqueous suspension thereof, using alkali hypohalite in a one stage oxidation procedure or nitrogen dioxide, alkali periodate or lead tetraacetate followed by alkali chlorite or alkali hypochlorite in a two stage oxidation procedure. The resulting oxidation products as obtained by one of these specific processes are especially valuable as additives to a surface active detergent or cleaning agent.

Abstract: A cellulose containing vegetable material is bleached by the steps of chlorinating said material, followed by ammonia treatment and post bleaching with washing stages between said steps. Waste waters resulting from the washing stages are purified by subjecting said waste waters to electrodialysis and recovering ammonium chloride from the purified waste waters. The recovered ammonium chloride is used to pre-treat the cellulose material prior to chlorination thereof and the purified waste waters are reused in the washing stages.

Abstract: A process for washing a cellulose pulp from alkali digestion, wherein the pulp is fed into a multistage washing system comprising several countercurrently coupled washers, acid is added to a washing solution, the acidified fiber suspension is fed further to the following stage wherein the acidified solution is replaced in the fiber suspension by washing water, and the filtrate obtained from this stage is used after acidification at least partially as a washing solution at the previous stage. The acid is added at a stage when the concentration of the dissolved organic substances is at a value that detrimental precipitation of the organic substances is prevented.

Abstract: Acid and alkaline filtrates are separated from the bleach plant of a bleached pulp mill for use in washing unbleached pulp free from entrained pulping liquor. Acid effluent is neutralized with sodium hydroxide solution prior to use in the washing as the last washing step while alkaline filtrate is used in the remainder of the washing. Part of both the acid and alkaline filtrates are not used in the washing to allow bleed of calcium value and caustic extraction stage solids which otherwise would build up on the washed pulp mat passing to the bleach plant.

Abstract: The delignification and bleaching of lignocellulosic products is effected by mixing an aqueous suspension of the lignocellulosic product with a chlorine-containing substance and an oxygen-containing substance, simultaneously or sequentially, and they, by reaction in situ, give rise to gases in the nascent state. The chlorine and/or oxygen are in the so-called "singlet" state, or in a state of higher energy. The treatment occurs at a temperature below 100.degree. C and for a time less than 60 minutes.