Abstract:
A method of delignifying and bleaching a chemical or semichemical cellulose pulp with oxygen gas in an alkaline medium, preferably sodium hydroxide, and in the presence of a protector, the method being characterized in that the protector is selected from the group consisting of silica; an alkali metal silicate, such as sodium silicate; an alkaline earth metal silicate, such as magnesium silicate; an alkaline earth metal phosphate, such as magnesium phosphate; an alkaline earth metal oxide, such as magnesium oxide; an alkaline earth metal peroxide; an alkaline earth metal hydroxide or a material forming an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, such as magnesium hydroxide or a material forming magnesium hydroxide in situ; and a soluble salt of magnesium other than magnesium carbonate.