Evaluating the Rate Equation of Delignification Reaction of Populus deltoides

Because of importance and wide usage of different species of Populus wood in paper pulping, the delignification reaction in pulping process of P. deltoides was investigated in order to obtain the relation between residual lignin in the pulp and cooking time. The samples were 10 years olded of Populus deltoids woods which were collected from Chamestan Research Station located in Noor city of Mazandaran province. Kraft method was used for pulping the condition of which were 25% sulfidity, 14% alkali, 5:1 the ratio of liquor to sample, maximum cooking temperature as 155, 165, 175 degree centigrade. Kappa number and the yields of pulps were estimated and residual lignin was calculated for each sample. Using the models predicted for rate equation and trial and error method in excell software, the order and rate constant of delignification reaction were evaluated for each cooking temperature. The results show that the rate equations of delignification reaction of Populus deltoides in temperatures of 155°C, 165°C and 175°C have the orders of 5.5, 2.5 , 1 and the rate constants of 1.8× 10-7 min.-1 conc.-4.5, 7.7× 10-4 min.-1 conc.-1.5 and 3.5× 10-3 min.-1 , respectively. Using these equations it will be possible to control the pulping process and predict the time required to obtain a desired lignin concentration in the pulp.