Partial exchange of ozone by electron beam irradiation shows better viscosity control and less oxidation in cellulose upgrade scenarios.

Electron beam irradiation (EBI) is an alternative treatment for intrinsic viscosity (IV) control in cellulose pulps, but has never been integrated in full bleaching sequences for comparison to conventional methods. Both eucalyptus kraft (EK) paper pulp and beech sulfite (BS) dissolving pulp were subjected to totally chlorine free (TCF) bleaching sequences comprising either EBI, ozone, or both for IV control. Additionally, effects of EBI on hexenuronic acid (HexA) and xylan were investigated.