The influence of pre-hydrolysis on the delignification of Hornbeam wood

In this research, the influence of two temperatures (60 and 90°C) and three dosages of sodium hydroxide (5, 7.5 and 10%, based on the dry weight) on hornbeam wood chips alkaline pre-hydrolysis and soda pulping was studied. Soda pulping of both pre-hydrolyzed and control chips were conducted applying constant pulping variables. The effect of pre-hydrolysis on hemicelluloses removal and sodium hydroxide consumption and pulp characteristic including total yield, reject, pulp freeness, kappa number, and pulp strengths were measured and statically analyzed. In case the effect of variable on measured property was statistically significant, then Duncan multiple range grouping of the measured property was arranged. The result revealed that pre-hydrolysis removed almost 4.2% (based on dry wood) of hemicelluloses of the wood and pre-hydrolysis demonstrated easier soda pulping delignification, due to weakening the lignin-carbohydrate bonds and both total yield, reject and kappa number were reduced. Tensile strength index of the pulp produced using pre-hydrolyzed chips war lower and as the dosage of sodium hydroxide increases, the tensile strength index was reduced initiated from the removal of hemicelluloses which is also lower than control pulp, Tear strength index of the soda pulp from pre-hydrolyzed chips was mildly reduced which is anticipated to be the consequence of fiber weakening and fiber breaking during cooked chips defibration. The effect of pre-hydrolysis variables on tear strength was not statistically significant. Based on the result of this study, hornbeam wood can be a potential source of bio-refining based on lignocellulosic material.