Low Temperature Soda-Oxygen Pulping of Bagasse

Molecules. 2016 Jan 13;21(1):85. doi: 10.3390/molecules21010085.

Abstract

Wood shortages, environmental pollution and high energy consumption remain major obstacles hindering the development of today's pulp and paper industry. Energy-saving and environmental friendly pulping processes are still needed, especially for non-woody materials. In this study, soda-oxygen pulping of bagasse was investigated and a successful soda-oxygen pulping process for bagasse at 100 °C was established. The pulping parameters of choice were under active alkali charge of 23%, maximum cooking temperature 100 °C, time hold at maximum temperature 180 min, initial pressure of oxygen 0.6 MPa, MgSO4 charge 0.5%, and de-pithed bagasse consistency 12%. Properties of the resultant pulp were screened yield 60.9%, Kappa number 14, viscosity 766 dm³/kg, and brightness 63.7% ISO. Similar pulps were also obtained at 110 °C or 105 °C with a cooking time of 90 min. Compared with pulps obtained at higher temperatures (115-125 °C), this pulp had higher screened yield, brightness, and acceptable viscosity, while the delignification degree was moderate. These results indicated that soda-oxygen pulping at 100 °C, the lowest cooking temperature reported so far for soda-oxygen pulping, is a suitable process for making chemical pulp from bagasse. Pulping at lower temperature and using oxygen make it an environmental friendly and energy-saving pulping process.

Keywords: Kappa number; bagasse; brightness; energy-saving; environmentally friendly; low temperature; soda-oxygen pulping.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkalies / chemistry
  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Green Chemistry Technology / methods*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Manufacturing Industry / methods*
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Paper*
  • Pressure
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Alkalies
  • Cellulose
  • bagasse
  • Oxygen