Investigation on the Potential of Using the Residual Fibers from Fractionation of Canola Stalk with Glycerol in Pulp Production

In this research, the fractionation of canola stalks with glycerol as a green solvent and also the use of remaining fibers for the production of pulp were evaluated. Fractionation of canola stalk were performed at various temperatures and times with alkaline or acidic catalysts, calcium chloride as additive, different L:S and glycerol to water ratios. The results show that the screened yield remains constant or decreased with increasing the temperature after 170°. Increasing the cooking time after 3 hours has a negative effect on the screened yield. The influence of acidic catalyst on increasing the screened yield was significantly greater than that of alkaline ones. L:S ratio up to 12:1 increases the screened yield but more than this, the screened yield remains constant or decreases. Handsheets were prepared and tear and tensile indices and RCT strength were measured as 2.07 mNm2/g, 14.38 Nm/g and 135.4 N, respectively. According to the results it is possible to produce pulp with strength properties similar to chemi-mechanical pulps. The results also showed that glycerol is suitable for the canola stalk fractination and 88% of hemicelluloses, 44% of cellulose and 30% of lignin are found in the black liquor, which could be used as platform chemicals in a biorefinery.