Technical Bulletin No. 0021: Continuation of Studies of the Chlorine Oxidation of Sulfur Compounds in Dilute Aqueous Solution (AQTB)

The attached National Council Technical Bulletin, reports a continuation of studies of the chlorine oxidation rates of odorous sulfur compounds contained in kraft pulp mill off-gases, Previous research was reported in Technical Bulletin No. 18. These investigations were carried on at Washington State University, under the direction of Prof. Donald .Adams. Results indicate, that methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide oxidize rapidly with chlorine and, if oxygen is present, it participates in the reaction. The end product of the reaction with dimethyl sulfide is probably dimethyl sulfoxide and with methyl mercaptan the end product is sulfonic acid. These end product materials have neither the objectionable odor of the original sulfur compounds, nor similar low concentration odor threshold values. Both these facts and the high reaction rates observed, indicate chlorination to be effective in obviating the major odor constituents of the non-condensable off-gases from kraft pulp mills.