Conventional soda pulping results in lower pulp yield and
strength properties. It also needs a much longer cooking time. To
overcome these difficulties a study on the effect of anthraquinone
( AQ ) in the alkaline pulping of Acacia auriculiformis was conducted.
The result showed that 3.1 percent point yield gain was achieved in
the soda pulping with 0.05% AQ addition. The yield was comparable
to that of the kraft control. Further increase of AQ did not substantially
increase the yield. In kraft-AQ pulping the gain in yield
was less remarkable, although 1.4 percent point gain was obtained.
Addition of AQ can substantially reduce the alkali requirement ?.nd/
or duration of cooking. The quality of the AQ catalysed pulp was
in no way inferior to the kraft control.
The feasibility of using AQ in a soda pulp mill in Bangladesh
has been shown. It indicates a remarkable economical gain.