Two-step Delignification of Peracetic Acid and Alkali from Sugar Cane Bagasse

Sugar cane bagasse was delignified in a two-step process with peracetic acid and alkali. Peracetic acid pre-treatment with concentration of 25% based on oven-dry fiber at 60 min, with a liquor to wood (L/W) ratio of 9:1 and a temperature of 50 degrees C improved the second stage delignification, compared with soda pulping. The second stage was carried out at three levels of temperatures, times, and 20% sodium hydroxide based on ovendry fiber. Soda pulping at 165 degrees C, 120 min, 20% sodium hydroxide based on oven-dry fiber, and L/W 10:1 was selected to compare with two-step delignification. The two-step delignification reduces the severity of pulping conditions, including temperature and pressure, and subsequent imposes less risks compared with the soda pulping at 165 degrees C. The advantages of this method are high delignification and reduction of kappa number with respect to lower temperature and pressure compared with soda pulping. The total time in two-step was increased from soda pulping. Two optimum conditions for alkali step were obtained at 120 degrees C and 140 degrees C and 90 min for pretreated bagasse pulping, and similar properties were achieved with soda pulping at 165 degrees C and 120 min. The yield of fibers, Kappa number, and data analysis using Duncan method were measured and recorded.