Method for treating kraft process recovery cycles to reduce metal levels in kraft processes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for reducing metal content in a kraft pulping process, which includes adding magnesium to black liquor that is returned to the pulping operation; a method for reducing aluminum content in a pulping process by adding magnesium to black liquor to provide green liquor with a specific magnesium:aluminum molar ratio; a method for producing or treating green liquor with a specific magnesium:aluminum molar ratio by adding magnesium to black liquor, weak black liquor, or strong black liquor; and a method for producing hydrotalcite by adding at least 0.04 to 5.0 moles of magnesium:aluminum present in weak black liquor, strong black liquor, or a combination thereof. A pulp mill is also provided, which includes, among other parts, a digester (1), a washer (2), optionally a pulp bleacher, and a weak black liquor thickener (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a method for treating kraft process effluent to reduce metal levels in the kraft process. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] High levels of inorganic metals, especially aluminum, in the kraft pulping process and recovery cycle are extremely detrimental to the process.

[0003]

[0003] Aluminum can be introduced into the kraft process from aluminum-contaminated manufacturing inputs such as calcium oxide, wood, soil, water, and chemicals. For example, aluminum can be introduced into the kraft process through wood, which typically comes from the soil and can have up to 150,000 ppm aluminum. Aluminum can also be introduced into the kraft process by adhering to the surface of logs, which are ultimately incorporated into the chips fed to the digester.

[0004]

[0004] High levels of aluminum contamination are detrimental to the pulping process. For example, the accumulation of aluminum, iron, and manganese in operating pipelines can cause local temperature differences, which can lead to weakening of the pipeline shell and / or further damage or clogging of the system, which tends to be associated with very high throughput operations that impose high pulp mass flows and, as a result, accelerate aluminum accumulation. For example, in a kiln furnace, prior to application of the present method, a total of approximately 2,300 kg of aluminum was detected after a mud cleaning purge with an average solids concentration of 900 ppm.

[0005] One particular problem associated with aluminum contamination is that it can react with silica to form deposits during evaporation, resulting in efficiency losses and potential system shutdowns. Loss of filterability in mud filters during causticization when excessive buildup occurs is another common problem associated with aluminum contamination. Furthermore, when it occurs in white liquor, increased concentrations are observed in the final product.

[0006]

[0006] Aluminum is soluble in white liquor, and it is typically difficult to treat the white liquor directly before or during cooking to remove the aluminum because there are no concentration steps that result in aluminum residues that can be removed immediately before or after the cooking step, and introducing one such operation can lead to increased costs.

[0007]

[0007] Numerous studies have been published investigating the removal of inorganic metals, particularly aluminum. For example, Ulmgren, 1987, noted that it was possible to reduce the concentration of soluble aluminum in green liquor by adding magnesium sulfate to the dissolving tank. Similarly, Wannenmacher et al., 2005, studied the solubility of aluminosilicates in kraft green and white liquors (GL and WL, respectively). Specifically, they evaluated the addition of magnesium sulfate to green liquor. This study revealed that Al and Si were removed from GL through a precipitation process. However, the use of magnesium sulfate at these points in the process was not effective at removing aluminum and, in addition, may pose a risk of loss of liquor filterability.

[0008]

[0008] Therefore, there remains a need to develop an effective method for removing inorganic metals, particularly aluminum, so that the risk of filterability loss and system shutdown is reduced when using such a particular method.

[0009]

[0009] The present inventors have developed a method for capturing aluminum during black liquor recovery operations, and the aluminum is returned to the kraft operation, which has been found to be more advantageous and results in better aluminum removal throughout the pulping process. Summary of the Invention

[0010]

[0010] The present invention relates to a method for reducing the aluminum content in a kraft pulping process, comprising adding at least one form of magnesium to black liquor returned to the kraft pulping operation. Also provided are a method for reducing the aluminum content in a pulping process by adding at least one form of magnesium to black liquor to provide green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of 0.04 to 5.0, preferably 3.0 to 5.0, and more preferably 4.0, and a method for producing or treating green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 1.0, preferably 4.0, by adding at least one form of magnesium to black liquor, weak black liquor, or strong black liquor. Also provided is a kraft pulp mill comprising a cooking plant 1, a washing plant 2, optionally a pulp bleaching plant, a weak black liquor thickening plant 4, a recovery boiler plant 5, a causticizing plant 6, and a magnesium addition unit. A method for producing hydrotalcite by adding at least 0.04 to 5.0, preferably 3.0 to 5.0, more preferably 4.0, moles of magnesium to moles of aluminum present in weak black liquor, strong black liquor, or a combination thereof is also disclosed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 depicts a kraft pulp mill. [Figure 2]

[0012] Figure 2 shows the decrease in aluminum content in green liquor over time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0013] The present inventors have developed a method for capturing aluminum during black liquor recovery operations, which has been found to result in better aluminum removal and a kraft process with lower levels of aluminum, which is more preferable. Additionally, the method of the present invention reduces the risk of filterability loss and shutdown in the kraft process.

[0013]

[0014] The method of the present invention is equally applicable to reducing iron and manganese levels.

[0014]

[0015] For the purposes of the present invention, aluminum is to be understood as aluminum in any form, such as free aluminum, aluminum as a cation, oxide, hydroxide, and / or salt. For example, Al 3 +, aluminum as Al2O3.

[0015]

[0016] By removing aluminum is meant to be understood as making aluminum less available to the medium, i.e., reducing the amount of aluminum in the medium (i.e., black liquor), by physically removing or providing the aluminum as a water-insoluble compound or the like, i.e., hydrotalcite.

[0016]

[0017] White liquor is a strongly alkaline solution of primarily sodium hydroxide and sodium hydrosulfide. It is used in the first stage of the Kraft process, which separates lignin and hemicellulose from cellulose fibers to produce pulp. White liquor helps break the bonds between lignin and cellulose.

[0017]

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, in a kraft pulp mill, wood chips are cooked in digester 1 at high temperature and pressure (typically 145 to 160°C and 7 to 11 bar, respectively) with white liquor (a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium hydrosulfide) produced in the mill's causticizing plant 6 to decompose and remove lignin from the wood chips.

[0018]

[0019] Using this process, fiber composed mostly of cellulose and hemicellulose is typically produced in the form of brown pulp, primarily of spent liquor and cellulose pulp, which is further typically pre-bleached in 3a, bleached in 3b, dried, and sold to the market for the manufacture of various paper products. The lignin removed from the wood chips during the pulping and subsequent pulp washing processes becomes residual pulping liquor (weak black liquor) which is typically concentrated to 15 to 80 percent solids using multiple-effect evaporators in concentration plant 4 to produce strong black liquor.

[0019]

[0020] The strong black liquor is then directed to a boiler plant 5, where the organic matter in the liquor is combusted, thereby producing carbon dioxide, water, and heat. The heat generated in the recovery furnace is used to generate steam and electricity for internal mill use. During the combustion process, the inorganic matter in the strong black liquor is converted to sodium carbonate and sodium sulfide, which emerge from the recovery furnace in the form of a molten smelt. This smelt is dissolved in water (or other aqueous mill stream) to form green liquor (a solution of sodium carbonate and sodium sulfide). The sodium sulfide is then converted to white liquor (a solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide) through the addition of calcium oxide from the lime kiln to the mill's causticizer 6.

[0020]

[0021] The by-product of this reaction is calcium carbonate, which is sent back to the recausticizer 6 for reconversion to calcium oxide by calcination at high temperatures. White liquor is thus produced for reuse in the wood chip pulping process 1. Using this chemical recovery process, typically more than 95% of the chemicals required for pulping can be recovered. This recovery cycle is now known as the black liquor recovery operation. Small amounts of process chemicals are lost during pulp washing (carried over to the bleach plant with the pulp), resulting in other losses from the kraft recovery cycle, such as spills and leaks from different equipment, and residues and grit sent to landfills. Lost sodium and sulfur values ​​are typically compensated for through the addition of purchased sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate by-products from the mill's chlorine dioxide generator to the chemical recovery cycle. A typical 1,000 ton / day kraft pulp mill adds 10 to 20 ton / day of sodium hydroxide and approximately 20 to 40 ton / day of sodium sulfate as make-up chemicals to the chemical recovery cycle. The exact amount to be added is determined based on the tightness of the chemical recovery cycle with respect to liquor losses, while the ratio of the two make-up chemicals is based on the Na / S ratio in the mill white liquor, which is usually kept constant.

[0021]

[0022] During the pulp washing process, sulfuric acid is used, followed by a water wash 2. In this process, sulfuric acid reacts with sodium ligninate (a sodium cation associated with the phenolic and carboxyl groups in lignin) and sodium bicarbonate, converting them to sodium sulfate, which is passed through filtration from the lignin dehydration and washing steps into the kraft recovery cycle. Because sodium ligninate and sodium carbonate are converted to sodium hydroxide when not exposed to sulfuric acid, the sodium hydroxide requirements of mills with lignin plants increase to an extent largely determined by the amount of sulfuric acid used in the lignin washing process.

[0022]

[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing aluminum content in a kraft pulping process, which method comprises adding at least magnesium to black liquor that is returned to the kraft operation, specifically by adding at least a form of magnesium to weak or strong black liquor.

[0023]

[0024] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing iron and manganese content in the kraft pulping process.

[0024]

[0025] For the purposes of the present invention, aluminum is to be understood as aluminum found in any form, such as free form, cationic form, or aluminum incorporated in any compound, such as salt, oxide, or hydrate, solvate, or in any other form, or in a mixture thereof. Magnesium is therefore also to be understood as elemental magnesium, which may be in any form of magnesium, i.e., free form, cationic form, salt form, oxide form, or any other form, or a mixture thereof.

[0025]

[0026] The addition of magnesium can be carried out by any means, and is typically carried out using magnesium sulfate, i.e., using a feed belt carrying the magnesium, or by simply dissolving a magnesium-containing compound in the medium to be treated.

[0026]

[0027] As mentioned above, black liquor obtained from a pulping operation is treated in a recovery operation to convert minerals for further reuse in the pulping process. In some cases, the black liquor may also be used directly as an input in any step of the kraft pulping process or in any plant in a kraft pulping mill. In either case, the black liquor can be returned to the pulping operation instead of being discarded as a residual by-product.

[0027]

[0028] Black liquor is a waste product from the Kraft process when pulpwood is cooked into paper pulp, removing lignin, hemicellulose, and other extractives from the wood to liberate cellulose fibers. Black liquor is understood to be black liquor obtained from spent liquor, weak black liquor, or strong black liquor, which when processed becomes green liquor.

[0028]

[0029] Typically, when using aluminum-contaminated input materials, the black liquor carries this contamination, even at low levels, causing detrimental effects to the pulping process.

[0029]

[0030] In this sense, in one aspect of the present invention, magnesium is added to black liquor that is returned to the kraft operation, preferably after the black liquor recovery operation that typically results in green liquor.

[0030]

[0031] In said embodiment, the method of reducing the aluminum content in the Kraft process is achieved by adding at least magnesium to the black liquor that is returned to the pulping operation. The Kraft process should be understood as a cooking process and a total liquor recovery cycle.

[0031]

[0032] For example, if the black liquor is a weak black liquor, magnesium may be added to the weak black liquor before the evaporation step, before it enters the thickening plant 4 to produce strong black liquor, or at the thickening plant 4. If the black liquor is a strong black liquor, magnesium may be added to the strong black liquor before the thickening step, before it enters the boiler plant 5 before it produces green liquor, or at the boiler plant 5. This can be done by a dedicated magnesium feed line or using any other feed line already present in the operation. In one embodiment, magnesium is added in the sesquisulfate feed line.

[0032]

[0033] The weak black liquor is conducted for evaporation in a thickening plant 4 and magnesium may be added to the weak black liquor in a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminium present in the weak black liquor of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4.

[0033]

[0034] Alternatively, the strong black liquor may be directed for concentration in a boiler plant 5 and magnesium added to the strong black liquor in a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum present in the strong black liquor of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4.

[0034]

[0035] Thus, both weak and strong black liquor can receive magnesium.

[0035]

[0036] In one aspect, the method of the present invention discloses the addition of magnesium in black liquor at a molar ratio rate of 0.04 to 5.0 moles, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 moles, more preferably 4.0 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum, so that both weak and strong black liquor can receive magnesium.

[0036]

[0037] For example, if the black liquor is a weak black liquor, magnesium may be added to the weak black liquor prior to the weak black liquor evaporation step, i.e., before entering evaporation plant 4 to produce strong black liquor, or in evaporation plant 4. The weak black liquor may be directed for evaporation in boiler plant 4, and magnesium may be added to the weak black liquor in an amount of 0.04 to 5.0 moles, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 moles, and more preferably 4.0 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum present in the weak black liquor. In one embodiment, magnesium is added at a molar ratio of 1 mole of magnesium for each mole of aluminum in the weak black liquor, preferably at a molar ratio of 3 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum in the weak black liquor, and more preferably at a molar ratio of 4 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum in the weak black liquor.

[0037]

[0038] For example, if the black liquor is a strong black liquor, magnesium may be added to the strong black liquor prior to the strong black liquor concentration step, i.e., prior to entering boiler plant 5 to produce green liquor, or at boiler plant 5. The strong black liquor may be conducted for concentration at boiler plant 5, and magnesium may be added to the strong black liquor in an amount of 0.04 to 5.0 moles, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 moles, and more preferably 4.0 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum present in the strong black liquor. In one embodiment, magnesium is added at a rate of 0.3 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum in the black liquor, preferably at a rate of 3 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum in the black liquor, and more preferably at a rate of 4 moles of magnesium for each mole of aluminum in the black liquor.

[0038]

[0039] Typically, the method for reducing aluminum content in a kraft process by adding at least magnesium to black liquor of the present invention provides green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4.

[0039]

[0040] Thus, a method for reducing aluminum content in a pulping process by adding at least magnesium to black liquor provides treated white liquor having aluminum levels of up to 60 ppm, preferably up to 30 ppm, and more preferably up to 20 ppm. Typically, treating black liquor with aluminum results in white liquor with lower aluminum levels, resulting in less aluminum being present in the kraft cooking operation and recovery cycle.

[0040]

[0041] In one embodiment, the method of the present invention discloses adding at least magnesium to black liquor to provide green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 1, preferably at least 4, which tends to result in a pulping process with lower levels of aluminum.

[0041]

[0042] To achieve such a result, the present process produces green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 3, preferably at least 4. When magnesium is added to the green liquor, the present process provides treated green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 3, preferably at least 4.

[0042]

[0043] In another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a kraft pulp mill having a digester 1, a washing plant 2, a thickening plant 4, a boiler plant 5, a causticizing plant 6, an optional pulp pre-bleaching plant 3a, an optional pulp bleaching plant 3b, and a magnesium addition unit. Typically, the plant may have one or more pieces of equipment for operation, i.e., digester 1 may have one or more digesters, washing plant 2 may have one or more washers, one or more dewaterers, etc.

[0043]

[0044] The magnesium addition unit is included in at least one of the wash plant 2, the thickening plant 4, the boiler plant 5, the causticizing plant 6, or more. For example, if the magnesium addition unit is located in the boiler plant 5, the pumping that directs the magnesium through a supply pipeline may be in conjunction with a sesquisulfate feed, already installed, to feed the weak black liquor to the boiler, adding the magnesium to the weak black liquor before it enters the boiler. In another embodiment, the magnesium addition unit may be located in the thickening plant 4. In either case, the operation ultimately produces green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 3, and preferably 4.

[0044]

[0045] In either case, the present invention discloses a method for producing green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 1, preferably at least 3, and more preferably at least 4, by adding at least magnesium to black liquor, weak black liquor, or strong black liquor.

[0045]

[0046] Due to variations in the level of aluminum content introduced in the pulping process from calcium oxide, white liquor, wood, soil, etc., an excess of magnesium may be desirable in relation to process variations. For example, the method of the present invention may utilize the addition of magnesium in a molar ratio of 0.04 to 5.0 moles of magnesium to aluminum present in the weak black liquor, strong black liquor, or green liquor, preferably 3.0 to 5.0, more preferably 4.0.

[0046]

[0047] As disclosed, the magnesium of the present invention can be in any form, such as free form, oxide form, cation form, salt form, hydroxide form, or a mixture thereof. For example, the magnesium of the present invention can be magnesium in salt form. Suitable magnesium salts are magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, or a mixture thereof. Alternatively, an exemplary hydroxide source is magnesium hydroxide.

[0047]

[0048] Aluminum present in production inputs such as calcium oxide, white liquor, wood, etc. is preferably removed from the pulping process during the combustion step in the boiler plant 5 via the formation of an aluminum-rich residue. The residue is most easily removed from the green liquor in a filtration procedure using, for example, an X-filter, k7. The preferred compound formed that is removed is hydrotalcite (MgAl(OH) 16 CO3.4H2O), resulting in a hydrotalcite-rich residue.

[0048]

[0049] In one aspect, the method of the present invention is a method for producing hydrotalcite from black liquor by adding at least 0.04 to 5.0 magnesium moles per mole of aluminum present in the weak black liquor, strong black liquor, or combination thereof, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 magnesium moles per mole of aluminum, and more preferably 4.0 magnesium moles per mole of aluminum, to produce hydrotalcite.

[0049]

[0050] Preferably, magnesium is added during the black liquor recovery operation. Magnesium can be added to weak black liquor, strong black liquor, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the addition of 1 mole of magnesium is at least to the weak black liquor. In this regard, a method is provided for forming hydrotalcite by adding magnesium to weak black liquor to provide a green liquor having a magnesium to aluminum ratio of at least 1, preferably at least 3, and more preferably 4. To achieve such a ratio, magnesium is added in an amount of 0.04 to 5 moles of magnesium per mole of aluminum, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 moles of magnesium per mole of aluminum, and more preferably 4.0 moles of magnesium per mole of aluminum.

[0050]

[0051] As mentioned above, the strong black liquor is combusted to produce minerals that are ultimately processed and converted to form white liquor. This recovery operation reduces the aluminum content of the green liquor and removes aluminum-rich residues formed from the addition of magnesium to the recovery operation, achieving white liquor with low levels of aluminum, reducing the total amount of aluminum present in the pulping process and also reducing filterability losses and the risk of stoppages in the process. example

[0051]

[0052] The following examples illustrate some of the experiments and results achieved by the inventors when using the methods described herein with aluminum. Aluminum:

[0052]

[0053] Laboratory tests using reference industrial green liquor at different molar ratios showed that adding higher molar ratios did not result in the removal of aluminum from the green liquor. In addition, the time to filter it was negatively affected, as can be seen in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0053]

[0054] Four moles of magnesium sulfate per mole of aluminum was added to the black liquor according to the method of the present invention.

[0054]

[0055] By industrially monitoring the aluminum content of the resulting green liquor, it is possible to verify the decrease in content (ppm) over time after adding magnesium sulfate to black liquor (Figure 2).

[0055]

[0056] The foregoing examples are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching of the claimed features. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limitations on the present disclosure, as defined by the claims, or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Additionally, the present disclosure encompasses other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future. The inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are set forth below. [C1] A method for reducing inorganic metal content in a kraft process comprising adding at least magnesium to black liquor that is returned to the pulping operation. [C2] 1. A method for reducing inorganic metal content in a kraft process by adding at least magnesium to black liquor to provide a green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to inorganic metal of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4. [C3] The method of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the magnesium is added in a ratio of 0.04 to 4 moles of magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor. [C4] 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnesium is added at a ratio of 1 mole of magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor, preferably at a ratio of 3 moles of magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor, more preferably at a ratio of 4 moles of magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor. [C5] A method for reducing inorganic metal content in a pulping process by adding at least magnesium to black liquor to provide a treated white liquor having an inorganic metal content of up to 60 ppm, preferably up to 30 ppm, and more preferably up to 20 ppm. [C6] 6. The method of any one of C1 to C5, wherein the magnesium is added at a rate of 0.04 to 4 ppm magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor. [C7] 7. The method of any one of C1 to 6, wherein the magnesium is added at a rate of 1 ppm magnesium for each ppm of inorganic metals in the black liquor, preferably at a rate of 3 ppm magnesium for each ppm of inorganic metals in the black liquor, more preferably at a rate of 4 ppm magnesium for each ppm of inorganic metals in the black liquor. [C8] The method of any one of C1 to C7, wherein the molar ratio of magnesium to inorganic metal is at least 0.04 to 5.0, preferably 3.0 to 5.0, more preferably 4.0. [C9] 9. The method of any one of C1 to 8, wherein the magnesium is added to the black liquor prior to the recovery operation. [C10] 10. The method of any one of C1 to C9, wherein the magnesium is added to the weak black liquor prior to the evaporation step. [C11] The method of any of C1 to 10, wherein the magnesium is added to the strong black liquor prior to the recovery boiler step. [C12] A method for producing green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to inorganic metal of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4, by adding at least magnesium to black liquor, weak black liquor, or strong black liquor. [C13] A kraft pulp mill comprising a digester 1, a washing plant 2, a thickening plant 4, a boiler plant 5, a causticizing plant 6, an optional pulp pre-bleaching plant 3a, an optional pulp bleaching plant 3b, and a magnesium addition unit. [C14] The mill of claim 13, wherein the magnesium addition unit is included in at least one of the concentration plant 4, the boiler plant 5, or a combination thereof. [C15] The process of any one of C1 to C14, wherein the magnesium is added in a molar ratio of from 0.04 to 5.0 moles, preferably from 3.0 to 5.0 moles, more preferably 4 moles, of magnesium relative to inorganic metals present in the weak black liquor, strong black liquor or green liquor. [C16] 16. The magnesium of any one of C1 to 15, wherein the magnesium is in the free form, cationic form, salt form, oxide form, hydroxide form, or mixtures thereof. [C17] 17. The magnesium salt according to any one of C1 to 16, wherein the magnesium is magnesium in salt form. [C18] The magnesium salt according to C17, wherein the magnesium is magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, or a mixture thereof. [C19] A method for producing hydrotalcite by adding at least 0.04 to 5.0 moles of magnesium per mole of aluminum present in weak black liquor, strong black liquor, or a combination thereof, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 moles of magnesium per mole of aluminum, and more preferably 4.0 moles of magnesium per mole of aluminum. [C20] 19. The method of claim 19, wherein the magnesium is added to at least the weak black liquor, the strong black liquor, or a combination thereof. [C21] The method of C20, wherein the magnesium is added to at least the weak black liquor. [C22] A method for producing hydrotalcite, wherein said magnesium is added to a weak black liquor to provide a green liquor having a ratio of magnesium to aluminum of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4. [C23] The method of any one of C1 to C22, wherein the inorganic metal is aluminum, iron and / or manganese.

Claims

1. 1. A method for reducing inorganic metal content in a kraft process comprising adding at least magnesium to black liquor returned to a pulping operation, wherein the inorganic metals are aluminum, iron and / or manganese.

2. 1. A method for reducing inorganic metal content in a kraft process by adding at least magnesium to black liquor to provide a green liquor having a molar ratio of magnesium to inorganic metal of at least 1, wherein the inorganic metal is aluminum, iron and / or manganese.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnesium is added at a ratio of 0.04 to 4 moles of magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnesium is added at a ratio of 1 mole, 3 moles, or 4 moles of magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor.

5. 1. A method for reducing inorganic metal content in a pulping process by adding at least magnesium to black liquor to provide a treated white liquor having an inorganic metal content of up to 60 ppm, wherein the inorganic metals are aluminum, iron and / or manganese.

6. 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the magnesium is added at a rate of 0.04 to 4 ppm magnesium for each mole of inorganic metal in the black liquor.

7. 7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the magnesium is added at a rate of 1, 3, or 4 ppm of magnesium for each ppm of inorganic metals in the black liquor.

8. 8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the molar ratio of magnesium to inorganic metal is at least 0.04 to 5.

0.

9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnesium is added to the black liquor prior to the recovery operation.

10. 10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the magnesium is added to the weak black liquor before the evaporation step.

11. 11. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the magnesium is added to the strong black liquor before the recovery boiler step.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnesium is in the form of magnesium in free form, cation form, salt form, oxide form, hydroxide form, or a mixture thereof.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the magnesium is magnesium in salt form.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the magnesium is magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, or a mixture thereof.

Images