Chemical and soda pulping properties of kenaf as a function of growth
2001
Karakus, S. | Roy, D.N. | Goel, K.
Kenaf (Hibiscus canabinus) is a promising non-wood source of fibre for pulping and papermaking. Because the chemical and physical composition of the plant changes as the plant develops, research is needed to determine its pulping properties at various stages of growth in order to establish the optimum harvesting time. In the present work, the chemical composition and pulping properties of kenaf as a function of growth have been studied. Kenaf plants were harvested at the end of 90, 120, 150, and 200 days (maturity). Extractive-free ground samples of the stem were cooked at three different temperatures, 140, 155, and 170 degrees C, using soda cooking liquor of 32 g/L NaOH, with an active alkali charge of 15% as Na2O, and a liquor-to-wood ratio of 6:1. The differences in the holocellulose and lignin content for 90, 120, and 150-day old kenaf were not significant, while 200-day-old kenaf was significantly different from others. Pulping of kenaf at various stages of growth indicated that soda pulping properties were not significant. In comparing the yields of kenaf pulps, it is observed that; over the whole range of cooking times and temperatures studied, the average yield for 150-day-old kenaf is highest at 60.4%. Kenaf can be harvested at the end of 150-day growth period, based on the results of chemical analyses to achieve higher yield, with lower lignin content.
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