Overview
EN ISO 14453:2014 - Pulps: Determination of acetone‑soluble matter specifies a standard laboratory method to measure the acetone‑soluble fraction (wood extractives/resin) in pulp. Applicable to all pulp types, the method reports acetone‑soluble matter as a percentage of dry pulp. The standard supersedes earlier editions and includes provisions for both conventional Soxhlet extraction (Option A) and automated Soxtec‑type extraction (Option B).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & sensitivity
- Applicable to all types of pulp; lower determination limit ≈ 0.05 % (can be lowered by increasing sample mass).
- Principle
- Extraction of a pulp sample with acetone, evaporation of solvent and drying of the residue; result expressed on dry pulp basis.
- Extraction methods
- Option A: Soxhlet extraction (condensed solvent).
- Option B: Soxtec‑type (boiling solvent, faster, automated).
- Note: Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and other methods are outside the scope; interlaboratory data show no statistically significant difference between Soxhlet and Soxtec for this test.
- Reagents & safety
- Acetone (analytical grade); highly flammable - use approved electric/steam heating and a chemical fume hood; avoid open flame.
- Apparatus & conditions
- Typical equipment: Soxhlet or Soxtec, extraction thimbles, drying oven (105 ± 2 °C), balance with 0.1 mg precision.
- Extraction rate guidance: at least ~4 cycles/hour for Soxhlet.
- Sampling & sample size
- Representative air‑dry sample sufficient for duplicate ~10 g test specimens and dry matter determinations. Adjust sample mass if extract mass is expected to be low (target extract mass > 5 mg for reliable results).
- Follow ISO 7213 for market pulp sampling; determine dry matter per ISO 638.
- Quality & reporting
- Procedure performed in duplicate, blanks included, and results reported as % of dry pulp. Annex A provides precision information; precision statement updated to comply with ISO/TR 24498.
Practical applications & users
- Pulp and paper mill quality control labs - monitor wood extractives that affect product quality (e.g., sizing, pitch).
- Pulp producers - product specification and acceptance testing.
- Research & development - characterizing mechanical vs. chemical pulps or evaluating washing efficiency.
- Recycling and deinking operations - assess residual extractives and potential pitch-related issues.
- Third‑party testing laboratories and regulatory bodies requiring standardized measurement.
Related standards
- ISO 7213 - Pulps - Sampling for testing
- ISO 638 - Determination of dry matter content - Oven‑drying method
- ISO/TR 24498 (precision guidance referenced)
Keywords: EN ISO 14453:2014, acetone‑soluble matter, pulps, Soxhlet, Soxtec, pulp testing, wood extractives, pulp quality control.