Chemical analysis and pulping study of pineapple crown leaves

The potential of the pineapple crown leaves as a pulp source was explored. Preliminary results showed that the semichemical mechanical process yielded a pulp of which handsheets without damage could not be made. However, the alkaline pulping process such as kraft or soda resulted in a pulp of which normal handsheets could be produced. The yields of the kraft and soda pulps were below 40%. Their apparent density, tensile and tearing strengths were developed to an extent that a beating step was not necessary. The kinetics of the kraft delignification revealed a three-first-order-stages curve which was similar to that of the woody alkaline pulps. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.