KRAFT PULP OF Euterpe edulis Martius STEM ( PALMITEIRO )

The present research was developed with the purpose of evaluating the potentialities of Euterpe edulis Martius stem, discarded vegetable material by occasion of palm cabbage crop, for kraft pulping. Physical and chemical analyses of lignocellulosic material were carried out by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. It was determined viscosity, molecular weight and polymerization degree of Euterpe edulis and Eucalyptus urophylla from cleaned pulps, bleached and not bleached, which were compared. Satisfactory results were reached in relation to the chemical cooking. Gross and cleaned pulp yields (59,60% and 54,10%, respectively) were even higher or comparable to those afforded by Eucalyptus urophylla (54,50% and 51,70%, respectively). The resistance of cellulose from both species concerning chemical degradation were equivalent.

Key words:
Euterpe edulis; kraft pulp; lignin; infrared; ¹H NMR.