Dissolving Pulp

Dissolving Pulp

Econotech is capable in the highly-specialized production and testing of dissolving pulp grades. Our experience dates back to the founding days in 1972, when we acquired the facilities of Columbia Cellulose, a manufacturer of dissolving pulp. Our skills and facilities enable us to simulate the production of viscose or acetate grades of pulp and provide detailed information on their properties.

This characterization helps dissolving pulp producers when troubleshooting to stabilize production and solve process upsets. It’s useful during product development as a client tunes their grade in line with their customers’ preferred specifications, thereby giving them a competitive edge. We can also help if you’re trying to qualify a pulp for dissolving grade use, or working up a pulping process to get there.

Viscose Testing

Viscose Preparation and Evaluation:

Laboratory scale preparation of alkali cellulose is followed by aging to a specified end point target viscosity. Xanthation of the alkali cellulose results in the formation of viscose. The viscose is dissolved in alkali with further aging resulting in a viscose solution simulating that used in the production of rayon. Both slurry and sheet steeping procedures may be used.

Characterization of viscose preparation and solution includes:

  • Aging time
  • Filterability
  • Haze
  • Clarity
  • Ball fall viscosity
  • Gel Content
  • Salt index
  • Photomicrographs of viscose dope
In addition, should sheet steeping be assessed, the procedures used allow for the determination of capillary rise, sheet flotation, caustic absorption, swelling volume and density.

Cellulose Acetate

Cellulose Acetate Preparation and Evaluation:

Laboratory scale preparation of cellulose triacetate is carried out by the catalyzed acetylation of conditioned cellulose. This is subsequently hydrolyzed to form secondary cellulose acetate. The secondary acetate is dissolved allowing for the determination of:
  • Clogging constant
  • Plugging value
  • Haze
  • Colour
  • Viscosity
  • Acetyl value
In addition, phase contrast microscopy can be used to photograph the product and to determine the population of un-acetylated or partially acetylated fibers and the presence of particulate impurities.

Fock Reactivity

A micro-scale preparation of viscose using a 0.5g sample of pulp. Test includes: Pulp sample preparation and conditioning, alkylation/xanthation, followed by cellulose regeneration as a measure of pulp reactivity. All samples are completed in duplicate.

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Econotech offers a wide range of services for the pulp, paper and biofuel industry.

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