A new modified pulping process alternative to sulphate method “Alkali-Sulfite-Antraquinone-Ethanol (ASAE)”

Summary In this study, ASAM method was modified by the use of ethanol instead of methanol. This new organosolv pulping method is referred to as ASAE. Brutia pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) was chosen as raw material in cooking because of its wide-spread usage in Turkish sulphate mills. 28 cooks were made by changing the cooking conditions systematically to achieve the most effective cooking parameters for yield and physical properties of ASAE pulps. Also, a control sulphate cook was made. After statistical evaluations of the data optimum pulping conditions were determined to be 20% Na₂SO₃ with 50% ethanol ratios and 150 min cooking time at maximal temperature. It was found that ASAE pulps had higher yield, viscosity, brigthness and strength properties than sulphate control pulps with the exception of breaking length. Furthermore bad-odour problems were absent during the blowing and washing process in the laboratory trials.