CLIAMS:1. A method for producing pulp from tobacco stalk, the method comprising the steps of:
a. drying a tobacco stalk to obtain a dry tobacco stalk having a moisture content in the range of 8 - 20% by weight;
b. treating the dry tobacco stalk with alkaline liquor at a temperature in the range of 140-180°C for a time of 80-200mins to obtain pulp; and
c. optionally bleaching the pulp of (b) to obtain pulp with brightness in the range of 85-92%,
wherein the alkaline liquor is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of white liquor, NaOH, anthraquinone, and combinations thereof.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dry tobacco stalk is contacted with the alkaline liquor in a weight/volume ratio in the range of 1:2 to 1:8.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alkaline liquor is an aqueous solution of white liquor.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the white liquor has a weight percentage of total active alkali with respect to dry tobacco stalk in the range of 15-22%.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alkaline liquor is NaOH and anthraquinone.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein concentration of NaOH with respect to dry tobacco stalk is in the range of 17% -28% by weight.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration of anthraquinone with respect to dry tobacco stalk is in the range of 0. 04-0.3% by weight.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dry tobacco stalk is treated with alkaline liquor preferably at a temperature of in the range of 160-170°C for a time of 80-180 mins.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein tobacco stalk pulp is bleached using bleaching agent selected from group comprising Chlorine dioxide(D0), Alkaline extraction (Ep); chlorine dioxide (D1) and combinations thereof to achieve pulp with 85- 92% brightness.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method optionally comprises a step of extraction of sugars from dry tobacco stalk with hot water prior to treating dry tobacco stalk with alkaline liquor.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method optionally comprises a step of extraction of sugars from dry tobacco stalk with an aqueous solution of green liquor prior to treating dry tobacco stalk with alkaline liquor.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulp is further processed to produce paper.
13. A paper obtained by the method as claimed in claim 1.
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