| Abstract: | Egyptian bagasse was pulped by the prehydrolysis-soda process followed by multi-state bleaching. Raising the concentration of sodium hydroxide used in the second step of bleaching improved the chemical characteristics of the pulp. Depithing had to be applied to improve the degree of pulping and to reduce the ash content. The minimum ash content (0.07%) was arrived at either by carrying out depithing before prehydrolysis to the extent of 2%, or after prehydrolysis to the extent of 10%. Depithing before prehydrolysis was superior as it resulted in a better yield, higher alpha cellulose, and higher degree of whiteness. |
