The Effect of Active Alkali and Sulfidity Loading on the Kraft Pulp Properties of Sweet Sorghum Bagasse

A study was carried out to observe how active alkali and sulfidity loading affect the kraft pulp characteristics of sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB). SSB pulp was obtained from the kraft pulping with a variation of active alkali (17, 19, and 22%) and sulfidity loading percentage (20, 22, and 24%). The chemical functional group and composition, morphological properties, crystallinity, and pyrolysis product of the resulting pulp were characterized. Based on Fourier transform infrared characterization, SSB pulp demonstrated a peak absorption showing the existence of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. The fibril was found clearly in the pulp fibers of SSB. The crystallinity of treated SSB was higher than that of untreated samples. The Gaussian function gave more accuracy for crystallinity determination (indicated by an R-2 value that was relatively higher than the Lorentzian function). It is consistent with Raman spectra in this study, which showed a specific band at 370-380 and similar to 1090 cm(-1) from cellulose. The higher carbohydrate content of SSB pulp showed that the delignification process using kraft pulping with a variation of alkali active and sulfidity loading could be an alternative method to cellulose recovery for cellulose-derived products.

Automated summary

A study examined the effect of active alkali and sulfidity loading on the characteristics of kraft pulp produced from sweet sorghum bagasse. The results showed that the treated pulp had higher crystallinity and contained a higher carbohydrate content compared to untreated samples. This suggests that kraft pulping with variations in active alkali and sulfidity loading can be an alternative method for cellulose recovery.