Kenaf TMP as an Alternative Source of Cellulose Pulp, 2000 Pulping / Process & Product Quality Conference Proceedings

M. Herron, A. A. BaOsman, J. S. Hsieh--Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) has potential to supplement the wood fiber supply in North America and other parts of the world. The pilot plant (TMP) was used in this research which has a unique feature that set it apart from most of the laboratory facilities. Numerous pulping trials were conducted using kenaf core fibers and pine wood chips. The primary goal was to determine the processibility and quality mechanically pulped kenaf. Pulp production was limited by some problems, namely plugging of the impregnators and plugging of the first refiner. However, with control of the conditions, it was possible. The pulping trials were followed by bleaching and strength testing. The strength properties of the hand-sheets were found to be good overall but inferior to sheets from pine wood. There was some difficulty in making hand-sheets from the pulps due to their high lignin content. A final brightness of 76% was obtained for the bleached kenaf core fibers. In general, kenaf high yield pulps were concluded to be a viable alternative source for papermaking.