Bagasse semichemical pulp by alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment

High yield semichemical pulps from depithed bagasse fibres were produced using alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment. Increasing hydrogen peroxide addition at constant alkali concentration during bagasse pulping accelerates pulp delignification and improves the brightness properties of the semichemical pulp (SCP) produced but decreases the strength properties and increases the required fibrillation time. By using 8% of NaOH with 4% of H2O2, liquor ratio 6:1, pulping time of 180 min. pulping temperature 80°C and fibrillation time of 5 min., pulp with high yield (72%) with satisfactory strength and optical properties was obtained. Addition of EDTA or DTPA as chelating agent and 1,10 phenanthroline as catalyst during the alkaline hydrogen peroxide pulping of bagasse accelerates pulp delignification, increases the pulp brightness and improves strength properties.