Recovery of calcium carbonate waste as paper filler in the causticizing process of bamboo kraft pulping

In this paper, calcium carbonate waste was recovered as paper filler from the causticizing process of bamboo kraft pulping. The effects of the causticizing process parameters on the filler qualities were investigated, in terms of the whiteness, tear strength, tensile strength and ash content of the filled paper. To investigate the effect of silica content on the qualities of the resultant calcium carbonate filler, the green liquor was desiliconized with aluminum salt modified bentonite prior to the causticizing process to obtain calcium carbonate of various silicon contents, particle size and brightness, and different crystal morphology. It was found that the ionic strength and silicate concentration were the two key factors in affecting the size and shape of the calcium carbonate particles formed in the causticizing process.