ALKALINE SULFITE ANTHRAQUINONE AND METHANOL (ASAM) PULPING OF HYBRID POPLAR (P. DELTOIDES)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the suitability of hybrid poplar (P. deltoides) which is grown in Turkey as a raw material by ASAM pulping. Hybrid poplar wood samples were pulped using both ASAM (alkaline sulfite-antraquinone-methanol) and krafl processes. Kraft process was used as a control. The effect of the ASAM process' variable, cooking time, on pulp yield and quality of handsheets was examined while other pulping conditions were kept constant. After cooking for 120, 150 and 180 minutes at maximum temperature, kappa numbers were 17.4, 16.8 and 8.19 respectively for ASAM and of 24.5 for kraft. Pulp yields and the strengthvalues of ASAM handsheetswere found higher than than those for kraft.