ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND COST-EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ABSORBENT GRADE PAPER

摘要

Absorbent paper is characterized by some of its important specific properties like water klemn, castor oil penetration and wet strength. An absorbent grade pulp was manufactured from a mixture of Eucalyptus tereticornis and veneer waste of poplar (15:85) by three distinct processes: (a) delignification at high alkali dose and longer cooking time (at 170 °C), followed by enzyme treatment (method-I), (b) delignification under normal pulping conditions, followed by semi-bleaching (CE_(OP)) (method-II), and (c) delignification under normal pulping conditions, followed by oxygen treatment (method-Ill). Method-I required 7.15 h for pulp processing and the cost of pulp was US$ 2481.72/digcster. The cost of pulp produced by method-II was comparatively lower (US$ 2272.69/digcster). However, il required a longer time (9.45 h) and was not environmentally benign because of generation of chloro-organic compounds. The pulp produced by method-Ill was environmentally friendly, required a cooking time of 12.45 h, and was also economical (US$1936.32/digester), compared to the other methods.