Environmental aspects of sulfate turpentine refining (review)
Е.S. Izmest`ev, S.А. Rubtsova, А.V. Kutchin
Section: Theoretical problems of ecology
The burning of sulfate turpentine, formed as a by-product of pulp and paper mills during the kraft pulping process,
causes irreparable environmental damage, as it contains a large number of toxic sulfur-containing compounds generating
sulfur dioxide when being combusted. It is for this reason that the search for methods of removing sulfur compounds
from the sulfate turpentine, which can make the purified product a valuable source of terpene compounds suitable for
industrial processing, is being actively pursued. The problem of complex refinement and rational utilization of turpentine
is mainly to establish a waste-free use of feedstock for obtaining useful products. However, the lack of selectivity in the
conversion of terpenes which are the main components of turpentine, and the complexity of their separation hinder the
development of effective methods for refining turpentine. In this regard, the refined turpentine is used mainly as a solvent
for varnishes and paints. At the same time, it is a valuable biofuel, capable, with proper approach, of partially replacing
fuels produced from mineral oil. Terpenes from turpentine and their derivatives are widely used in the organic synthesis
of biologically active substances, antioxidants, pesticides, herbicides, in the perfume industry for producing fragrances
(linalool, geraniol, nerol, citronellol), and also for obtaining compounds with a pronounced insecticidal , repellent,
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and other types of biological activity. Sulfur-containing compounds
can achieve widespread use in organic synthesis to manufacture solvents, ion-exchange resins, dyes, in the synthesis of
detergents and reagents for the chemical industry (sulfochlorides, thiosulfonates, sulfoxides).
Keywords: sulfate turpentine, α- and β-pinenes, sulfur compounds, terpenes, terpenoids
Article published in number 1 for 2019 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2019-1-012-022
ISSN 1995-4301
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