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Pulp Making Characteristics of Stem and Branches of Rubber Tree (hevea Brasiliensis)

Dr. Daisy Biswas
Divisional Officer
Pulp and Paper Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute Sholashahar, P.O.- Amin Jute Mills Chittagong-4211.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The suitability of stem and branches of rubber tree for pulp production was assessed. Pulps were made in kraft process maintaining 25% sulphidity by varying the alkali doses from 14 to 20%. The temperature was maintained at 170°C during pulping. The chips were cooked well at high alkali doses. It was found that the pulp yield of both stem and branches of rubber wood was comparable to other hardwood wood species widely used in Kharnaphuli Paper Mill. The kappa number varied from 14 to 32. Bleachable grade pulp can be made for 18% active alkali. The hand sheets were made and the physical strength properties likely tear, tensile and burst were evaluated at two freeness level. The pulps produced from stem and branches of rubber tree possessed moderate strength properties. These could be used for producing moderate quality writing, printing and wrapping papers. Future research on response of bleaching chemicals to the pulp is needed.

Keywords: Rubber tree, Kraft pulping process, Pulp yield, Kappa number

Location: Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong

Start Date: 01-07-2009

End Date: 30-06-2012

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Rubber wood

Objectives:

To Investigate the possibility of using whole rubber tree component for making paper pulp

Methodology:

Pulps were made in kraft process maintaining 25% sulphidity by varying the alkali doses from 14 to 20%. The temperature was maintained at170°C during pulping. The pulp yield and kappa number were determined. It was found that the chips of stem and branches were not cooked at 14% active alkali. The pulp yield was very poor with a much screening rejects. Longer cooking time and addition of 0.1% anthraquinone did not work at all. It seems that for pulping of rubber stem and branches, high alkali dose is required. With the increase of alkali doses from 14% to 16% both the branch and stem cooked giving very coarse pulp and pulp yield becomes 49.5% for branch and 48.7% for stem. The pulp was well cooked at 18% active alkali. The same trend was also observed for both stem and branches when cooking is done at 150 min. The color of the pulp of rubber stem is more brownish compared to branch. There were some hardened rubber particle was found during stem pulp washing. It seemed that during cooking the latex leached out from the chips and on cooling it became hardened. The pulp samples were beaten in a PFI mill to achieve a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) of 250 ± 3 ml and hand sheets were made. Then physical strength properties were determined. It was found that the tear and tensile index of stem pulp are found slightly higher than that of branch. This is due to the longer fiber length of rubber stem.

Source of Information:

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 300000

Total Budget (Tk.) : 300000

Achievement/Findings:

The pulp of rubber could be blended with imported pulp for making writing, printing and industrial papers.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings