Correlations between pulp properties
A significant correlation was observed when the screened
pulp yield was represented as a function of Kappa number
(Fig. 4). The samples with higher pulp yields had lower
Kappa numbers. It is important to note that this profile is
the opposite to an expected decrease of pulp yield with the
decrease of Kappa number for a given material, as a consequence
of carbohydrate degradation due more intensive
conditions to attain lower Kappa number, i.e., higher alkali
charges and/or prolonged delignification. However, it
should be stressed that in the present work, the cooking
conditions were the same for all the samples. Therefore,
these results of high pulp yields simultaneous with low
Kappa numbers deserve further analysis with emphasis on
wood chemical composition, namely on extractives and
lignin contents and structure (S/G ratio).