Thermochemical pulping of Ipil-ipil tree by Kraft process

• Main Author: Alterado, Melanie C. Labendia
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2002
• Subjects: Sulphate pulping process; Smelt-water explosions (Wood-pulping); Sulphate waste liquor; Lead tree; Process Control and Systems
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/2919
• Institution: De La Salle University

The increased importation of pulp and paper products in the Philippines for the past years had greatly been affected by the high tariff rates problem. This dissipated foreign exchange and increased cost of operations and cost of paper and paper products as well. Shortage in the local supply of pulp had made the Philippines 90 percent dependent on imports. With the present economic crisis, there is an alarming need for local substitute on imported pulp. This study provides the pulp and paper industry an alternative source of pulp from the local wood specie. This study involves thermochemical digestion of ipil-ipil wood shavings to produce pulp by Kraft process at 160 psia constant pressure and temperature ranging from 160 to 170 degree Celsius. A solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) is used as the cooking liquor. A cylindrical digester which consists of six autoclaves is used. Observations are made as to the effects of active liquor concentration, cooking time, and temperature on the percentage of yield of pulp. From the results gathered, it is concluded that the production of pulp and ipil-ipil wood is possible using the Kraft process of digestion. The relationships between the key variables are also generally established based on the cooking conditions used in this study.