BLEACHING STAGES AND SEQUENCES

AMOUN CONSISTENC TEMPERATUR

SYMBOLS STAGE TIME pH DESCRIPTION
T Y E
To remove metal
A Acid Wash
element from pulp
Elemental chlorine (Cl2)
is an effective de-
lignifying agent. As it
breaks lignin bonds, it
5 -7% on 40 adds chlorine atoms to
C Chlorination 2 3 - 4% 20 - 25 0C
pulp min the lignin degradation
products, thus
producing significant
amounts of chlorinated
organic material.
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2)
is a highly selective
chemical that can both
de-lignify and brighten
pulp. It oxidizes lignin,
but does not add
chlorine atoms onto
lignin fragments;
Chlorine 0.6-1.0% 180 3.5 - however, small amounts
D 10 - 12% 60 - 80 0C
Dioxide on pulp min 4.0 of elemental chlorine
and other chlorine
compounds formed
during the chlorine
dioxide bleaching
process react with
degraded lignin to form
chlorinated organic
compounds.
CD or C/D Chlorine and chlorine
or D/C dioxide added together
To remove colored
components from
Alkaline 3 -4% on 120 partially bleached pulps
E 12 10 - 20% 45 - 95 0C
Extraction pulp min that have been rendered
soluble in dilute warm
alkali solution.
Alkali extraction
EO
reinforced with oxygen
Alkali extraction
EP reinforced with
hydrogen peroxide
Alkali extraction
EOP
reinforced with oxygen
1
 and hydrogen peroxide
Formamidine
F
Sulfinic Acid
Sodium hypochlorite
(NaOCl) is an
Sodium inexpensive de-
1% on 11-
H Hypo- 3 - 15% 30 - 60 0C lignifying agent formed
pulp 11.5
chlorite by mixing elemental
chlorine with alkali at
the mill.
Chlorine
Monoxide or
M
Hypochlorou
s
Nitrogen
N
Compounds
Oxygen removes lignin
and modify other
coloring components. In
the oxygen
delignification/bleachin
1-5 - 2.0% 60
O Oxygen >7 10 - 15% 85 - 95 0C g stage the pulp is
on pulp min
treated with oxygen in a
pressurized vessel at
elevated temperature in
an alkaline
environment.
Hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2) is mainly used to
brighten pulps in the
final bleaching stages.
Peroxide is often used
at the end of a
2 -3 % on 1 -2
P Peroxide 10 - 30% 65 - 80 0C conventional bleaching
pulp hr
sequence to prevent the
pulp from losing
brightness over time.
Preferred for
mechanical and
recycled fiber.
To control the
brightness restricting
and reversion effects of
Q Chelatin
iron salts and other
heavy metals in the
pulp.
Pulp is washed almost
every bleaching stage to
W Wash
remove reactants of
preceding stage.
2
 Xylanase-based
enzymatic pretreatment,
in a TCF (Totally
Chlorine Free)
X Xylanase sequence, results in
easier bleaching and
delignification of the
pulp, causing a bleach-
boosting effect.
35- Reductive bleaching.
Sodium 0.5 - 1.2%
Y 60 5.5 5 - 8% 60 - 75 0C Good for recycled
Hydrosulfite on pulp
min fibers.
Ozone (O3) is also an
effective de-lignifying
agent. It also brightens
0.1 - 1.0%
Z Ozone 2.5 5 - 15% <650C the pulp as well. Ozone
on pulp
attacks the cellulose
fiber as well as the
lignin.
Ozone and Chlorine
Dioxide added
ZD
sequentially in same
stage

Bleaching sequences can be any combination of these stages. Lately selection of bleaching sequence has
largely being guided by environmental considerations. In USA, Canada and Europe, use of elemental
chlorine for bleaching is almost stopped. To category of bleaching sequences used are; ECF (Elemental
Chlorine Free) and TCF (Total Chlorine Free). ECF uses Chlorine Dioxide while TCF exclude Chlorine
Dioxide.

Other issue to consider in deciding bleaching sequence are

1. Type of Pulp: The high yield pulp which retain most of their lignin are bleached by modifying the
lignin instead of removing it. Chemical pulp where most of the lignin is already removed
bleaching is performed by removing the remaining lignin. Recycled fiber are de-inked before any
bleaching.
2. Degree of Brightness: The bleaching sequence and number of stages are mostly governed by the
requirement of brightness levels. A simple CEH or DEH is enough to achieve 70 or below
brightness. 4 to 5 stages are required for 80 -90 brightness and more stages for >90 brightness.

 Classical Bleaching Sequences

H
CEH
CEHH
CEHEH
CEHHD
CEHDH
3
CEDED
CEHDED
CEDH

 ECF

DED
DEDED
(ZD)EopDD
ODEOPDD

 TCF

OAPP
OZEPY
OXZEPY