Methanol-based pulping of Eucalyptus globulus

The autocatalyzed pulping of Eucalyptus globulus wood with methanol-water m ixtures was studied. A surface response design was employed to develop math ematical models describing the pulp properties as a function of cooking tim e, cooking temperature and methanol concentration. The ranges studied for t hese variables were 40-120 min, 170-200 degrees C and 30-70% (w/w), respect ively. The pulp properties modeled were kappa number, total yield, screenin gs content, screened yield and viscosity. Under the optimum cooking conditi ons pulps with low kappa number and acceptable viscosity can be obtained wi th a high yield.