Arundo donax pulp and related methods

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.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 .  Arundo donax  pulp obtainable by a process comprising cooking a furnish comprising  Arundo donax  particles using an H-factor of about 850.  
   
   
       12 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein  Arundo donax  particles are selected from the group consisting of a chip and a flake.  
   
   
       13 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the treatment of  Arundo donax  further comprises comminution.  
   
   
       14 . The pulp of  claim 13 , wherein the comminution is performed by a hammermill.  
   
   
       15 . The pulp of  claim 13 , wherein the comminution is performed by a rotary disc refiner.  
   
   
       16 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the process comprises kraft pulping.  
   
   
       17 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the process comprises soda pulping.  
   
   
       18 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the process comprises alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping.  
   
   
       19 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the process comprises sulfite pulping.  
   
   
       20 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the process further comprises pulping and bleaching.  
   
   
       21 . The pulp of  claim 20 , wherein the bleaching comprises Elemental Chlorine Free bleaching.  
   
   
       22 . The pulp of  claim 11  having a freeness in the range from about 150 to about 750 CSF.  
   
   
       23 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the pulp has a brightness of at least about 55% ISO.  
   
   
       24 . The pulp of  claim 11 , wherein the pulp has a brightness of at least about 75% ISO.  
   
   
       25 . A method for forming an  Arundo donax  pulp, comprising. 
 subjecting a furnish comprising  Arundo donax  particles to a pulping process, wherein the pulping process comprises cooking the furnish using an H-factor of about 850.    
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method for forming an  Arundo donax  pulp, the method comprising: 
 (a) selecting a furnish comprising  Arundo donax  particles;    (b) subjecting the furnish to a pulping process to produce a brown stock of pulp, wherein the pulping process comprises cooking the furnish using an H-factor of about 850; and    (c) bleaching the brown stock to a brightness of from about 55 to about 90% ISO.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein bleaching brown stock to a brightness of about 90% ISO requires 25% less bleach than required for bleaching hardwood to the same brightness.  
   
   
       29 - 59 . (canceled)