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

Abstract

This study presents a blend of Cannabis sativa and Ipomea carnea as a substitute to softwood for soda pulping. Optimizedsoda pulping conditions are: active alkali, 16% (as Na2O); max. temp., 165°C; time (at 165°C) 180 min; and liquor to wood ratio,C. sativa, 3.5:1 &amp; I. carnea, 4.0:1. Screened pulp yields were: I. carnea, 47.86% (kappa number 34); and C. sativa, 49.50% (kappanumber 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.