Soda-Anthraquinone Pulping Optimization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

The influence of soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping conditions on paper properties of oil palm empty fruit bunches was studied using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD). The alkali charge, NaOH (A), pulping temperature (7), and pulping time (t) ranged between 20 and 30%, 160 and 180 degrees C, and 60 and 120 minutes, respectively. The mechanical properties evaluated for the handsheets produced were the tensile index, tearing index, bursting index, folding endurance, zero-span tensile strength, and the optical properties (brightness and opacity). The effects of soda-AQ pulping conditions on oil palm empty fruit bunch paper were elucidated by the regression models obtained. The optimum pulping condition were at 27.3% alkali charge, 160 degrees C, and 60 min that produced paper properties with 26.8 N.m/g tensile index, 7.95 mN.m(2)/g tearing index, 5.32 kPa.m(2)/g bursting index, 1.70 logo folding endurance, 46.2 N zero-span tensile strength, 51.8% brightness, and 95.8% opacity.