Optimization of pulping conditions of abaca. An alternative raw material for producing cellulose pulp

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 96; no. 9; pp. 977 - 983
• Main Authors: Jiménez, L., Ramos, E., Rodrı́guez, A., De la Torre, M.J., Ferrer, J.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Abaca; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors; Cellulose; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose - isolation & purification; Chemical Fractionation - methods; Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques - methods; Computer Simulation; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hot Temperature; Materials Testing; Models, Chemical; Musa - chemistry; Non-wood; Paper, paperboard, non wovens; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Pulp; Pulp manufacturing; Pulping optimization; Soda; Solvents - chemistry; Tensile Strength; Viscosity; Wood. Paper. Non wovens; Cellulose; Paper; Non-wood; Pulping optimization; Soda; Abaca; Pulp; Monocotyledones; Pulping; Paper pulp; Musaceae; Raw materials; Fiber crop; Optimization; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2004.09.016

The influence of temperature (150–170 °C), pulping time (15–45 min) and soda concentration (5–10%) in the pulping of abaca on the yield, kappa, viscosity, breaking length, stretch and tear index of pulp and paper sheets, was studied. Using a factorial design to identify the optimum operating conditions, equations relating the dependent variables to the operational variables of the pulping process were derived that reproduced the former with errors lower than 25%. Using a high temperature, and a medium time and soda concentration, led to pulp that was difficult to bleach (kappa 28.34) but provided acceptable strength-related properties (breaking length 4728 m; stretch 4.76%; tear index 18.25 mN m 2/g), with good yield (77.33%) and potential savings on capital equipment costs. Obtaining pulp amenable to bleaching would entail using more drastic conditions than those employed in this work.