Alkaline-ethanol pulping of cotton stalks.

In this study, the use of cotton stalks (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as a raw material for papermaking using soda ethanol (organasolv) with/without anthraquinone (AQ) were briefly examined. Yield, kappa number and viscosity were determined for resulting pulps and the hand sheets produced from pulps were tested for physical properties; tensile index, burst index, tear index and elrepho brightness. The obtained results showed that, pulp yield and viscosity of the soda pulp was increased by adding AQ, ethanol and with their combinations. On the other hand, the positive effects that various chemicals (AQ, ethanol, and their combinations) had on the pulp quality were also observed on the paper’s physical and optical qualities, and these observed effects were thought of bearing considerable importance for paper manufacturers.    Key words: Soda, AQ, ethanol, cotton stalks.