Enhancing hemicelluloses removal from a softwood sulfite pulp

Hemicelluloses removal is highly desirable in many biomass processes, including the pretreatment steps of the bioconversion for ethanol production, production of high-quality dissolving pulps. In this study, a sequential treatment consisting of pulp fractionation, followed by caustic treatment to remove hemicelluloses from a softwood sulfite pulp, was investigated. The long-fiber fraction obtained after pulp fractionation, had a lower hemicelluloses content and smaller specific surface area, but larger pore diameter than the short-fiber fraction. The fiber fractions were subsequently treated in a cold caustic extraction (CCE) or hot caustic extraction (HCE). Results showed that hemicelluloses removal in the long-fiber fraction was more pronounced than the short-fiber fraction in both CCE and HCE processes. Other parameters, such as hemicelluloses removal selectivity, yield were studied. The underlying explanations were given.