Chemical characterization of pitch in Eucalyptus pulp and paper industry.

The chemical analysis of the acetone. chloroform. toluene and methanol extracts of a pitch sample was carried Out by IR and GC-MS, leading to the identification of sixty nine compounds. including fatty acids, alcohols and hydrocarbons. Analysis of the acetone extractive of a eucalyptus wood used in Brazil for pulp production was also carried out, resulting in identification of fifty nine compounds, including mainly fatty acids. phenolic compounds, beta-sitosterol and other steroids. This analysis showed that pitch formation had a contribution from wood extractives and other sources of contamination. The results obtained and the methodology applied can be used by the pulp industry to develop new methods of pitch control.