Date of Award

4-1968

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Pulp and Paper Technology

Abstract

Aspen chips were cooked in liquor composed of equal volumes of n-butyl alcohol and water, at reflux and at 150 and 185 degrees Centigrade, in order to investigate the potential use of this organic liquid as a pulping agent. Of particular interest were the effects of adding certain substances to the liquor, the effects of time and temperature, and the effects of liquor pH, as controlled by various reagents. Pulping action increased and yields decreased with increasing digestion time and temperature. No apparent advantage in pulping was demonstrated when polysulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide, or sodium xylene sulfonate was added to the liquors. The optimum pH range for catalysis of the butanol-lignin reaction appeared to be above 3 to 6.5. At severe enough conditions, the formation of wood acids catalyzed the reaction. Greater pulping effects were realized by the addition of mineral acid or Al2(S04)3. It appeared advantageous to exercise greater control of pH by urea or a buffer. AlCl3 was unfavorable as a catalyst, since it seemed to promote hydrolysis of carbohydrates and precipitation of lignin.

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