Changes in sulfite liquor composition while re-profiling mill from paper-grade to dissolving pulp production

Abstract The re-profiling from paper-grade to dissolving pulp production is a common trend for acid sulfite cooking of wood. This provides substantial changes in the composition of the spent sulfite liquor (SSL) affecting its potentialities in subsequent processing within the biorefinery concept. In this work, a comparative analysis of the chemical composition of SSL was performed from the magnesium-based acid sulfite cooking of Eucalyptus globulus wood to produce the paper-grade and dissolving pulps. More severe pulping conditions required for dissolving pulp production led to a substantial increase in volatile compounds in SSL, such as acetic acid, methanol, and furfural. At the same time, the amounts of dissolved sugars and lignosulfonates (LS) were increased to a less extent. The main changes detected in LS were related to the increase of its molecular weight, degree of condensation, and sulfonation degree. The increased concentration of the sulfuric acid in SSL was one of the reasons for these changes.