Abstract
The chemical composition of corn stalk as well as fiber morphology, fiber length and diameter were carried out. Furthermore, Kraft pulping process using different cooking conditions (temperature, 125 – 170ºC, time, 15 - 40 min., and % alkali 9 - 12%) were done at laboratory scale. The obtained pulps were characterized with respect to %yield, %rejects, kappa number and rest alkali. Effect of chemical composition of corn stalk on yield and kappa number was discussed.
The mechanical properties of hand sheet paper were explained in details, according to different cooking conditions. The high ash content and the relatively short fiber of corn stalk can attribute to positive effect with respect to bulk, opacity and the necessary strength of paper which are important properties in newspaper.
Industrial trials were carried out using Pandia continuous digester(74 tons corn stalk kraft pulp was produced) and 90 tons newsprint paper (furnish: 86.5% bleached corn stalk pulp + 13.5 bleached soft wood pulp) was obtained using Furdirinier paper machine. The produced newsprint was printed and commercialized by four famous newsprint companies in Cairo – Egypt (about twenty tons for each).
Comparison with the imported newsprint paper was done, the produced newsprint has better qualities with respect to opacity, and strength properties. Findings from industrial and commercialized trials in this study provide insights into new opportunities to utilize corn stalk pulp as better alternative to produce good quality of newsprint.