MODELING OF SODA - ETHANOL PULPS FROM CARPOLOBIA LUTEA

The chemical properties and soda-ethanol pulping of Carpolobia lutea was investigated as an alternative raw material for pulp and paper production. The influence of temperature, time, and concentration of pulping liquor on the pulp yields and residual lignin contents was evaluated using a central composite design. The maximum variation in the minimum residual lignin content was caused by changes in time, while temperature and time were responsible for the variation in the highest pulp yield. A maximum pulp yield of 48.53% was obtained at low values of the process variables. The selectivity of lignin dissolution was independent of the working conditions but allowed quantitative estimations to be established between the yield and residual lignin content within the range studied. Combined effects of temperature and time revealed that pulping at high temperature for a short time may be more advantageous, especially when high rate of delignification and substantial savings in time is required.