Extraction of galactoglucomannan from thermomechanical pulp mill process water by microfiltration and ultrafiltration-Influence of microfiltration membrane pore size on ultrafiltration performance

- Galactoglucomannan was recovered from thermomechanical pulp mill process water.
- MF membranes with different pore sizes were used to remove colloidal extractives.
- Colloidal extractives could be removed if the MF pore size was 0.1 μm or smaller.
- Removal of extractives increased initial UF flux from 90 L/m2 h to over 200 L/m2 h.
- Galactoglucomannan was partially purified from other hemicelluloses during UF.