Unit 2: Chemical Reactions During the Manufacturing of Paper and Its Effect on Local Populations, and the Environment
Unit 2: Chemical Reactions During the Manufacturing of Paper and Its Effect on Local Populations, and the Environment
https://sciencing.com/chemical-reactions-used-manufacturing-paper-13973.html
This article strongly relates to what we learned about combustion reactions and double displacement reactions. During the kraft pulping process, Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) reacts with lime or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) which is a double displacement reaction. This reaction produces NaOH and CaCO3 (limestone). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is burned (combustion) to give back calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 and CO2).
In this article, it talks about the various processes of manufacturing paper including kraft pulping, acid sulfite pulping, bleaching, and wet strengthening. Kraft pulping is the process of wood chips being combined with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide in water at a high temperature and with great pressure. By doing this, the negatively charged sulfide ions react with the lignin which breaks the lignin polymer chains down into smaller parts so the cellulose fibers are freed up. Acid sulfite pulping is another less common process in paper manufacturing. It is used less in the process because this process only removes a portion of the lignin, so after pulping the chips must be shredded mechanically to remove some of the remaining polymer. Bleaching is a very important aspect of manufacturing paper since if bleaching was not done, the natural colour of the paper would be brown. The most common bleaching chemicals include chlorine, chlorine dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hypochlorite. Finally wet strengthening is done to the cellulose fibers with polyamidoamine- epichlorohydrin resins in order to crosslink them so they are less likely to fall apart in water.
The manufacturing of paper has a huge impact on the environment and the well being of certain populations. The pulp and paper industry is one of the biggest contributors to the problem of deforestation since over 30 million acres of forest are destroyed annually.
The life cycle of paper is damaging to the environment from the start of its production to the end. At the beginning, it starts off with a tree being cut down and ends with its life by rotting or being burned. One sheet of A4 paper requires 10 litres of water per sheet which is very wasteful since many different communities across the world struggle to even find 10 litres of water a day.
When paper rots, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas; when it is burned or composted, it releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Through deforestation, there is more air pollution, resulting in local populations having to breathe dirty and unsafe air.
I believe that there must be a more efficient and less wasteful way to manufacture paper. Recycling is a great start because it reduces deforestation since less trees need to be cut down and it also reduces the pollution caused by waste. We must find a better way to manufacture paper so it has less of an impact on the environment and local populations.
How do you guys feel about the chemical process and the environmental impact of paper manufacturing? Do you think there is a less wasteful and more efficient way?
Works Cited:
Brennan, John. “What Are Some Chemical Reactions Used in the Manufacturing of Paper?” Sciencing.com, Sciencing, 9 Oct. 2018, sciencing.com/chemical-reactions-used-manufacturing-paper-13973.html.
“Chemical Reactions: Paper Making.” Chemistry, 21 Jan. 2018, 1keetingemichemistry.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/chemical-reactions-paper-making/.
https://1keetingemichemistry.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/chemical-reactions-paper-making/
https://sciencing.com/chemical-reactions-used-manufacturing-paper-13973.html
https://sciencing.com/chemical-reactions-used-manufacturing-paper-13973.html
This article strongly relates to what we learned about combustion reactions and double displacement reactions. During the kraft pulping process, Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) reacts with lime or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) which is a double displacement reaction. This reaction produces NaOH and CaCO3 (limestone). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is burned (combustion) to give back calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 and CO2).
In this article, it talks about the various processes of manufacturing paper including kraft pulping, acid sulfite pulping, bleaching, and wet strengthening. Kraft pulping is the process of wood chips being combined with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide in water at a high temperature and with great pressure. By doing this, the negatively charged sulfide ions react with the lignin which breaks the lignin polymer chains down into smaller parts so the cellulose fibers are freed up. Acid sulfite pulping is another less common process in paper manufacturing. It is used less in the process because this process only removes a portion of the lignin, so after pulping the chips must be shredded mechanically to remove some of the remaining polymer. Bleaching is a very important aspect of manufacturing paper since if bleaching was not done, the natural colour of the paper would be brown. The most common bleaching chemicals include chlorine, chlorine dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hypochlorite. Finally wet strengthening is done to the cellulose fibers with polyamidoamine- epichlorohydrin resins in order to crosslink them so they are less likely to fall apart in water.
The manufacturing of paper has a huge impact on the environment and the well being of certain populations. The pulp and paper industry is one of the biggest contributors to the problem of deforestation since over 30 million acres of forest are destroyed annually.
The life cycle of paper is damaging to the environment from the start of its production to the end. At the beginning, it starts off with a tree being cut down and ends with its life by rotting or being burned. One sheet of A4 paper requires 10 litres of water per sheet which is very wasteful since many different communities across the world struggle to even find 10 litres of water a day.
When paper rots, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas; when it is burned or composted, it releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Through deforestation, there is more air pollution, resulting in local populations having to breathe dirty and unsafe air.
I believe that there must be a more efficient and less wasteful way to manufacture paper. Recycling is a great start because it reduces deforestation since less trees need to be cut down and it also reduces the pollution caused by waste. We must find a better way to manufacture paper so it has less of an impact on the environment and local populations.
How do you guys feel about the chemical process and the environmental impact of paper manufacturing? Do you think there is a less wasteful and more efficient way?
Works Cited:
Brennan, John. “What Are Some Chemical Reactions Used in the Manufacturing of Paper?” Sciencing.com, Sciencing, 9 Oct. 2018, sciencing.com/chemical-reactions-used-manufacturing-paper-13973.html.
“Chemical Reactions: Paper Making.” Chemistry, 21 Jan. 2018, 1keetingemichemistry.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/chemical-reactions-paper-making/.
https://1keetingemichemistry.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/chemical-reactions-paper-making/
https://sciencing.com/chemical-reactions-used-manufacturing-paper-13973.html
Well, Donald I don't think there currently is a more efficient way to manufacture paper. During the process of bleaching pulp, chlorine products can create a byproduct that is incredibly harmful, called organochlorines. Research has shown that organochlorines are linked to causing cancer and immune system damage. Cyanide, a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist in various forms is able to leach into groundwater. The Kraft pulp process is dangerous as it is.
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