ALKALINE PULPING OF KENAF BARK FIBRE FROM CROPS GROWN IN AUSTRALIA AND CHINA

摘要

Laboratory pulping and bleaching studies have been completed on samples of kenaf bark fibres obtained from Northern Territory, Australia, Anqing (Anhui), China and Yucheng (Shandong), China. The pulping methods evaluated were alkaline sulphite, soda and kraft. The test results showed that the alkaline pulping method would provide higher unbleached pulp yield and pulp brightness than either the soda (with and without anthraqulnone addition) or the kraft process. In particular, alkaline sulphite bark pulp may be bleached in a single-stage hydrogen peroxide treatment to surpass the 85% brightness threshold. The physical strength properties were largely the same for all three types of bleached pulp made from Anqing,Shandong or Norrthern Territory bark fibres. These findings suggest that both soda and kraft pulping techniques may be too severe (and unnecessary) for the pulping of kenaf bark fibres.