Bleaching of Kenaf Bast Soda Pulp with Alkali Peroxide

In this study the effect of different values of peroxide in three levels 3%, 4%, 5% and sodium hydroxide in two levels 2%, 3%, on bleaching of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) bast soda pulp was investigated. Kenaf bast was soda pulped using 20% alkali in 170°C for 1 hour. Produced pulp had 55% yield and kappa number 12. Bleaching process included two stages: 1-chelating 2-alkali peroxide bleaching. Results indicated that brightness increased and kappa number decreased by increasing peroxide level. Data also showed that increasing of the percentage of caustic soda does not have any effects on the brightness and kappa number of the pulp, but yield decreased. The data related to 3% caustic soda and 5% peroxide treatment without chelating stage, indicated that initial chelating stage significantly affected on the brightness, kappa number and yield of the bleached pulp, and this treatment had the lowest brightness and the highest kappa number and yield among all treatments. Finally, 3% caustic soda-5% peroxide treatment with initial chelating stage had the highest brightness (73%) and the lowest yield (92%), and 2% caustic soda-5% peroxide treatment with initial chelating stage which had 70% brightness and 95% yield was selected as the best treatment, due to the appropriate brightness and yield values and lower consumption of the bleaching chemicals.