METHODS FOR REDUCING BACTERIAL INTOXICATION IN WATER-BASED FIBER SUSPENSIONS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reducing bacterial intracellular spores in a water-based fiber suspension consisting of recycled cellulose fibers, wherein the fiber suspension has an initial intracellular spores count, preferably >10,000 cru / ml. This method consists of adjusting the pH of the fiber suspension to a pH <6.5, adjusting the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the fiber suspension to an ORP >200 mV with the first oxidizing agent, and introducing a quantity of performic acid as the second oxidizing agent into the fiber suspension to reduce bacterial intracellular spores to an intracellular spores count of <1000 cru / ml.