Comparison of Miscanthus giganteus and birch wood nssc pulping Part I: The effects of technological conditions on certain pulp properties

Chemical composition and susceptibility to delignification by neutral sulfate liquor of Miscanthus giganteus stems and of birch wood were compared. The yield of pulping as well as degree and selectivity of delignification were tested in various technological conditions (cooking time, hydro module, alkali charge). Having a similar chemical composition, Miscanthus giganteus stems are subjected to quicker and deeper delignification with neutral sulfite liquor than birch wood. This phenomenon is probably associated with differences in the qualitative composition of lignin, distribution of lignin in the cell walls and in the morphological features of both raw materials.