Properties of bleached pulp sheets of avocado wood (Persea americana Mill.) pulped by Kraft and Soda processes

Abstract

Chips of avocado wood (Persea americana Mill.) were pulped by means of conventional Soda and Kraft pulping processes. The pulps were bleached with an elemental-chlorine-free sequence OD1-Eop-D2, pre-setting reaction conditions for the first chlorine dioxide stage (D1) . The results show that during the chemical pulping process, avocado wood is easier to cook than other hardwoods such as eucalyptus. The avocado pulp also showed a very good bleachability, reaching brightness levels of up to 92% ISO compared to 84% for eucalyptus after the ECF bleaching sequence. The avocado Kraft pulps required more chemical input in the bleaching sequence than the Soda pulps. On the other hand, the physico-mechanical properties of the pulp were not notably reduced by the bleaching process, the Kraft pulp being stronger than the soda pulp. Strength properties of avocado are similar to those of eucalyptus; therefore this raw material constitutes a worthwhile choice for cellulosic fiber supply.