Kraft Pulping of Date Palm Rachis from Egypt

Abstract

Non-wood fiber is one of the major sources for the pulp and paper industry due to their abundance and cost-effectiveness. Kraft pulping of date palm rachis from date palm trees from Ques city in Egypt was carried out under different conditions, and pulps with variable yields and mechanical properties were obtained. The date palm rachis gave best yields and mechanical properties more than bagasse and less than soft wood. Kraft pulping of date palm rachis with 14%,17% and 20% cooking liquor (which contains 90% sodium hydroxide and 10% sodium sulfide ) and 12% for bagasse. Bleaching of pulps was carried out in three stages with chlorine dioxide gas in two stages and hydrogen peroxide in the middle stage, rachis pulps were obtained of high brightness and strength properties suitable for use in writing and printing papers. Beating of bleached pulps was done for comparison between date palm rachis, bagasse and wood pulps.