Newer Pulping Processes for Non-Conventional Raw-Materials -An Economic Question, 1991 Pulping Conference Proceedings

There is an increasing use of agriculture residues and non-wood fibres in Indian industries at the present day context of acute scarcity of conventional wood and bamboo based raw materials, shortage of energy resources, high cost of utilities and ecological restrictions. Conventional pulping methods also lead to higher pollution loads. This has resulted in a continued search for newer pulping processes which can give increased yields, have lower energy consumption and lower pollution load while the pulp quality can fulfill the specific objects. Many of newer pulping processes like organosolv, explosion/vapour phase high pressure pulping, alkali-oxygen delignification, soda-AQ are discussed in this paper. Availability of information regarding economic viability of the processes has been searched keeping in view abou the possibilities of adaptation by industry based on these raw materials in near future. To meet the targets a few preliminary experimental investigations on, soda, soda oxygen delignification, soda-AQ and organosolv pulping are carried out with special reference to wheat straw, rice straw and bagasse.