Evalution Prosopis juliflora(Somr) potential in Kraft Pulping

In this research, physical, biometrical and chemical properties of Prosopis juliflora wood and then physical and mechanical properties of kraft pulp from aforesaid species were investigated and calculated. Dry and critical densities of Prosopis juliflora are 0.806 and 0.696 g/〖cm〗^3 respectively. Fiber length 895µm and cellulose 48.80%, lignin 23.66%, extractions 3.88%, ash 1.1% were measured.
The preparation conditions of kraft pulp were included: effective alkaline 14, 16 and 18%, cooking time 120 and 180 min., temperature of cooking 170 and 180 ˚C and L/W ratio 5 to 1. After calculating the amounts of yield and kappa number of pulps, two treatments were determined. The freeness of two pulps was achieved approximately 400 (CSF) by refining. Then, physical and mechanical properties of the handsheets were calculated. Finally, statistical analysis of pulp and handsets data were performed by completely randomized factorial, duncan and T-test methods.
The results showed that the handsheets resulted from produced kraft pulp under conditions: effective alkaline 18%, cooking time 120 min, cooking temperature 180 ˚C, had better mechanical properties. The investigation results showed that Prosopis juliflora of south zone of the country has suitable properties for kraft pulp preparation in comparison to other similar hard wood species and development of its planting, was recommended in the zone.