This article reviews the most relevant analytical methods for resin acids (RAs) in process waters and effluents from pulp and paper mills. These compounds, originating in the wood material, are relevant, since they are dissolved and dispersed in process waters of the mills, causing machinery failures, reducing the quality of the final product, and generating environmental problems in the aquatic system when released as effluent. Analysis of RAs is usually undertaken by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to flame ionisation detection (FID), electron capture detection (ECD) or mass spectrometry (MS), following derivatisation. However, alternative methods using liquid chromatography (LC) or capillary electrophoresis (CE) have emerged recently. The advantages and disadvantages of the various methodologies, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are also discussed.

This study has been supported by the EU Energy, Environmental and Sustainable Development Program (CLOSEDCYCLE, Contract No EVK1-2000-00749) and Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Spain (PPQ2000-3007-CE).

12 pages, 3 figures, 4 tables.-- Available online Dec 2, 2003.

Peer reviewed