Kraft Process:

The Kraft process is a chemical method used to produce wood pulp which is the main component
of paper. It involves the digesting wood chips using a hot mixture of water, NaOH and Na 2S.

Emission points in Kraft process:

According to Kraft process emissions from the Kraft process occur largely from the recovery
furnace, lime kiln and smelt dissolving tank. These emissions are mainly in the form of particulate
matter and are a major source of air pollution.

Recovery Furnace (Boilers):

These are an important part of the industrial processes used to efficiently convert wood
chips into paper. The Kraft recovery boiler produces steam that is used to generate electricity and for
heating purposes in Kraft process. It recovers the valuable cooking chemicals used in digester.
It is made up of two main sections.
i. Fireside or Furnace section – where Black liquor is burned.
ii. Heat transfer section – where steam is created.
Lime kiln:

This process is used only in Kraft process. The Lime kiln is located in the Chemical
Recovery department. The Kraft process uses hot Caustic Soda (NaOH) to separate the fibres contained
in the wood chips. The process conserves digesting chemicals to chemical recovery process.
There are two cycles in this process.
i. Sodium cycle
ii. Calcium cycle

Smelt dissolving tank:

Molten Smelt from the floor of the recovery boiler is dissolved in weak wash to produce
green liquor. This agitated tank is equipped with a gas scrubber on the exhaust vent using weak wash to
knockdown the particulates and condense steam.

Odour formation in Kraft process:

The Kraft process is known for its distinctive Odour which is caused by chemical emissions
it releases. The process involves the digesting wood chips using a hot mixture of water, NaOH and Na 2S
which is known as White liquor. The Na 2S used in the process which is one of the major sources of
odours. The odorous by products generated during the Kraft process include Total Reduced Sulphur
(TRS) compounds like H2S and Methyl Mercaptan. These emissions can cause adverse health effects and
therefore control techniques and devices are necessary to manage them.