(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003-04-16)
Quesada, Alexander L.
The purpose of this study is to determining the feasibility of replacing causticizing
(calcium based reactions and precipitate) with bausticizing (barium based reactions and
precipitates). Bausticizing is not limited by chemical equilibrium and thus can proceed to
full conversion eliminating the dead load of inert sodium carbonate in the white liquor.
The comparison is centered on the kinetics and conversion as well as precipitate
sedimentation.
BaCO₃ and BaSO₄ approach full conversion (97.7% and 95.9% respectively) after a 5 to
10 second reaction at room temperature with 0.1M feed solutions (Ba(OH)₂, Na2CO₃, and
Na2SO₄). Barium mud settling behavior is comparable to that of lime mud and can
possibly be carried out by existing sedimentation tanks within a pulp mill.