Abstract
Fiber dimensions, chemical composition, and soda and soda-AQ pulping of tobacco stalks were examined to assess if they were suitable for pulp and paper production. The results showed that the morphological characteristics of tobacco stalks were similar to those of nonwoods and hardwoods. The average values of length, diameter, and cell wall thickness of tobacco stalks fibers were determined as 1.23 mm, 24.31 μm, and 8.93 μm, respectively. The holocellulose and alpha-cellulose in tobacco stalks were lower than those of hardwoods and common nonwoods. In addition, lignin content of tobacco stalks was lower than that of hardwood. The holocelluloses, alpha-cellulose, lignin, and ash contents of tobacco stalks were examined to be 67.79, 39.20, 18.90, and 6.86 wt%, respectively. The optimum cooking conditions for a bleachable pulp of tobacco stalks were found to be as follows: active alkali 25%, temperature 165°C, cooking time 180 min, and 0.2% anthraquinone. Addition of anthraquinone resulted in lower screening rejects and lower kappa number, higher screen yield, and higher brightness. The bleaching of tobacco stalk pulp did not respond very well. The brightness of pulp made by tobacco stalks reached about 73.06% on DED and 78.2% on DEDD bleaching sequences.Download PDF