Optimization of ozone bleaching conditions for improving wheat straw pulp quality using response surface methodology

Ozone bleaching conditions for wheat straw soda pulp were optimized using response surface methodology with central composite design. Effect of pH, consistency, and ozone dose on kappa number, brightness, and viscosity was investigated. Optimized process conditions to get minimum kappa number, maximum viscosity, and brightness were obtained as follows: pH 2.08–2.25, pulp consistency 27.4–30.0%, and ozone dose 0.4%. Validation of the model predicted values and experimental values obtained for optimum conditions has the difference of 0.5–2.0%, which shows that the developed model for ozone bleaching of wheat straw pulp is satisfactory.