Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

The use of non-wood fiber sources in pulp and paper industry serves not only alternate to wood resources but also proposes solution to consume agricultural by-products and wastes produced in bulk in agricultural based country like India. The dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) a green manure source, is an efficient non-wood resource for pulp production that can offer an effective means to produce quality paper besides packaging paper for which there is high demand. The processing of pulp further enables reduction in lignin content which enables development of finer and quality paper. The present research explored effect of different bleaching agents and their combinations on the optical properties of resultant pulp and paper. Bleaching process was carried out using four chemicals viz., Oxone, hydrogen peroxide, sodium dithionite, sodium hypochlorite and their combinations. The evaluation of optical properties of pulp was assessed in terms of brightness and whiteness using standard methods. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) was done using SPSS software to establish relationship between different bleaching agents and the optical properties of the pulp. The results showed that the dhaincha pulp bleached with combination of oxone and hydrogen peroxide showed maximum brightness index (37.61) and whiteness index (67.72) in comparison to other chemicals.