Manufacture of dissolving pulps from cornstalk by novel method coupling steam explosion and mechanical carding fractionation

In order to solve the inhomogeneity of cornstalk as fiber material to manufacture dissolving pulp, a novel method of steam explosion coupling mechanical carding was put forward to fractionate cornstalk long fiber for the production of cornstalk dissolving pulp. The fractionated long fiber had homogeneous structure and low hemicellulose and ash content. The fiber cell content was up to 85% in area, and the hemicellulose and ash content was 8.34% and 1.10% respectively. The a-cellulose content of cornstalk dissolving pulps was up to 93.10-97.10%, the viscosity was 14.37-23.96 mPa s, and the yields of cornstalk dissolving pulps were from 10.11% to 12.44%. In addition, the fractionated short fiber was to be hydrolyzed by enzyme to build sugar platform. The constructed method of steam explosion coupling mechanical carding achieved the fractionation of cornstalk into long fiber and short fiber cleanly and effectively, and provided a new way for cornstalk integrated refinery. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.