Chemical, anatomical, and technology aspects of Eucalyptus benthamii and Eucalyptus dunii for use in an integrated pulp and paper mill

Abstract

Eucalyptus dunii has been commercially used in southern Brazil because of its relatively good frost tolerance and adequate productivity in the winter months. More recently, interest has grown in cultivating Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden & Cambage, which presents even superior frost tolerance compared to E. dunii and is highly productive as well. The quality of E. benthamii for pulp production is not yet proven. Thus, the chemical, anatomical, and technological aspects of pulp made from E. benthamii were compared with those of E. dunii for unbleached paper production. Samples of E. benthamii chips were obtained and analyzed for their basic density, chemical composition, higher heating value, trace elemental analysis, and chip size distribution. The chips were kraft cooked using conditions that produced a 74 ± 6 kappa number. The pulps were characterized for kappa number, yield, viscosity, and morphologic characteristics (e.g., length, wall thickness, and coarseness). Black liquor was analyzed for total solids, organics, inorganics, sodium sulfide, sodium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate. Brownstocks were beaten at five different energy levels in a Valley beater, and the physical strength properties of 120 g/m² handsheets were measured to develop a beater curve. The results of this study showed differences in delignification between the two woods and lower pulp yield for E. benthamii , which are related to their chemical compositions and basic densities. The E. benthamii studied in this work exhibited higher amounts of lignin and extractives, lower carbohydrate content, and lower basic density. However, cooking a blend of the two woods afforded good results in pulping and in physical pulp properties.