Replacing imported long fiber pulp with kenaf bast fiber soda pulp to improve quality of paper made from bagasse soda pulp

Abstract

We studied the possibility of replacing imported long fiber pulp (ILFP) with kenaf bast fiber soda pulp (KBFSP) to improve the quality of paper made with bagasse soda pulp (BSP). To do so, we produced BSP with kappa number 13.5 similar to that prepared by Pars Paper Mill. We also produced KBFSP with kappa number 21.6 similar to the unbleached imported ILFP. The yield percent for BSP and KBFSP were respectively 48.9 and 55.6 %. The maximum pulping temperature was 165 °C; alkaline was 20% based on sodium hydroxide and ratio of liquor to dry weight of the raw material was 8:1. All the three pulps were beaten up to a freeness degree of 400 ml, CSF. Amounts of 0, 10, 20 and 30 percent ILFP and KBFSP were mixed with 100, 90, 80 and 70 percent BSP to produce hand sheets. In all cases of KBFSP mixing with BSP, the thickness of the generated hand sheets were higher than those produced through mixing ILFP with BSP while the density was lower. The difference in burst strength and breaking length of a mixture of 30% KBFSP with 70% BSP in the hand sheets were non-significant as compared with those of ILFP and BSP. Tear strength and opacity of mixing 30% KBFSP with 70% BSP were significantly higher than those of the ILFP and BSP with the same mixing ratio. We suggest that KBFSP provides a suitable replacement for ILFP to improve physical and strength properties of paper made with BSP.

Keywords

• kenaf
• kappa number
• freeness
• BREAKING LENGTH
• OPACITY