Total chlorine free bleaching of Arundo donax pulp

Abstract

Composite panels and pulp, and paper products of the pulp, are produced from Arundo donax . In the fabrication of the composite panels, Arundo donax is comminuted to a suitable size, combined with a binder, and consolidated into panels that meet standards for construction and/or furniture grade panels. The Arundo donax particulates may be combined with wood particulates to produce a mixed furnish that can be used in the preparation of composite panels. Comminuted Arundo donax is treated, in conventional pulping processes, to produce a high tensile strength pulp that can be used in the production of paper. The pulp has a lighter color than wood pulp, and thereby uses less bleaching chemicals to achieve a desired whiteness. The pulp can be combined with wood pulp to produce a variety of products.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A method for forming an  Arundo donax  pulp, comprising: 
 (a) subjecting a furnish comprising  Arundo donax  particles to a pulping process to provide  Arundo donax  pulp; and    (b) bleaching the  Arundo donax  pulp by a total chlorine free process.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O(Q)-Eop-P-P-P.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O(Q)-Eop-P-Pp-P.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O-A-P-P-P.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O-Eop-P-Q-P-P.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O-Eop-Q-P-P-P.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O-Q-Eop-P-P-P.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bleaching comprises the sequence: O(Q)-Eop-P-P-P.  
     
     
         9 . Total chlorine free bleached  Arundo donax  pulp.