Kraft pulping properties of European black pine cone

Sezgin Koray Gulsoy,Fatih Ozturk

doi:10.4067/s0718-221x2015005000076

Abstract

In this study, different mixtures of cones and wood chips of European black pine (Pinus nigra) were kraft cooked, and the resulting pulp and paper properties were investigated. Also, the chemical compositions and fiber dimensions of the cones and wood were examined. Cone chips were mixed in different ratios (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) with wood chips prior to pulping. Also, kraft pulping of 100% cone chips and 100% wood chips were conducted so the results could be compared. The kraft pulp of 100% cone chips had lower pulp yield, lower pulp strength, and higher kappa number than that of 100% wood chips. As the ratio of cone chips was increased in the mixture of cone chips and wood chips, higher kappa numbers and lower total screened yield were obtained. Additionally, the strength properties and brightness of the resulting kraft pulp were decreased gradually. However, the opacity of the pulp was increased slightly. Consequently, cone fibers of European black pine can be used as a raw material in the paper industry by mixing with wood fibers.

Highlights

European black pine (Pinus nigra) is spread over more than 3,5 million hectares from western North Africa through southern Europe to Asia Minor (Isajev et al 2004)
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different mixtures of cones and wood chips from European black pine (Pinus nigra) on the properties of the resulting pulp and paper
Chemical Composition There was a statistically-significant difference between the chemical compositions of the wood and the cones from European black pine trees (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

European black pine (Pinus nigra) is spread over more than 3,5 million hectares from western North Africa through southern Europe to Asia Minor (Isajev et al 2004). Pinus nigra has highly productive mast years that occur every three to five years (Kerr 2000) These trees produce an average of 33 cones in low cone-production years and 757 cones in mast years (Boulant et al 2009). No reports have been published on the use of cones in the paper industry either alone or mixed with wood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different mixtures of cones and wood chips from European black pine (Pinus nigra) on the properties of the resulting pulp and paper. We determined the chemical composition and morphology of fibers from European black pine cones and evaluated the usability of the fibers in the paper industry

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion