Diffusion of sulfide into Southern pine (Pinus taeda L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) particles and chips

摘要

Sulfide diffusion into wood has a rapid reversible component and a much slower irreversible component. During the initial reversible phase, sulfide is unable to diffuse into parts of the wood structure, probably because of charge exclusion. The diffusion of hydroxide and sulfide into saturated wood was imaged by immersing chips in white liquor, splitting them open and then imaging the hydroxide and sulfide profiles. Sulfide moves into the interior of the chip at a faster rate than hydroxide does because it is prevented from entering some of the pores and must move deeper into the chip to access dilution water.