KRAFT PROCESS

(from German kraft, strong), chemical method for the production of wood pulp that employs a solution of caustic soda and sodium sulfide as the liquor in which the pulpwood is cooked in order to loosen the fibres. The kraft process differs from the sulfite process in that (1) the cooking liquor is alkaline and therefore is less corrosive to iron and steel, so that the digesters in which the process takes place need not be lined, and (2) the pulp produced is stronger than that produced by cooking with caustic soda alone. A further advantage of the kraft process is its capability of digesting pine chips; the resinous components dissolve in the alkaline liquor and can be recovered in the form of tall oil, a valuable by-product. Recovery of the sodium compounds is important in the economy of the kraft process. In kraft mills constructed in the late 20th century, operations were completely enclosed; former waste streams, including bleach effluents, are recycled and reused, eliminating water pollution. Compare sulfite process.