Studies on Ipomea carnea and Cannabis sativa as an alternative pulp blend for softwood: Optimization of soda pulping process

摘要

This study presents a blend of Cannabis sativa and Ipomea carnea as a substitute to softwood for soda pulping. Optimized soda pulping conditions are: active alkali, 16% (as Na_2O); max. temp., 165℃; time (at 165℃) 180min; and liquor to wood ratio, C. sativa, 3.5:1 & I. carnea, 4.0:1. Screened pulp yields were: I. carnea, 47.86% (kappa number 34); and C. sativa, 49.50% (kappa number 33). Anthraquinone (AQ, 0.1 %) also improves pulp yield and reduces kappa number, respectively, for: I. carnea, 0.24%, 8 units; and C. sativa, 0.24%, 4 units. At same chlorine demand (5.80%), pulp brightness improved of I. carnea (87.1%) and C. sativa (84%) by CEHH bleaching sequence. Therefore, I. carnea fibers may be used as brightness improver of pulp.