586 



The chemical examination furnished the following results, the 

 percentages other than that of moisture being expressed on the dry 

 material : — 



Moisture 



13.21 



Ash 



4.14 



Loss on L. Hydrolysis ... 



10.76 



Loss on B. Hydrolosis ••• 



46.65 



Loss on Mercerisation ••• 



31.62 



Loss on Acid Purification 



0.95 



Gain on Nitration 



21.19 



Cellulose 



47.41 



Length of Ultimate Fibre ... 1.20 m.m. 



The ultimate fibre obtained from this grass is very similar in most 

 respects to Esparto; the yield of bleached fibre being about the same. 

 This is a favourable indication inasmuch as " Esparto " is one of the best 

 known and most useful sources of supply to the trade. The fibres as 

 seen under the microscope are short, smooth, cylindrical, fairly uniform 

 in diameter, gradually tapering to rounded extremities: they also occur 

 together in little bundles. The pulp will be found to contain a number 

 of small cuticular cells which do not however shew in the finished paper. 

 The fibres are stained a pale yellow with iodine solution, which fades 

 more rapidly than is usual with coloured pulps. 



The results obtained from the chemical analysis show that the 

 grass is capable of yielding a good quality of cellulose, suitable in every 

 way for the manufacture of paper. Although the grass is very suscep- 

 tible to the action of dilute alkalis, the final product is exceptionally 

 pure and readily resolved. 



From observations noted during this preliminary examination the 

 following scheme was adopted for the production of the pulp on a larger 

 scale. 



Process. 



The available grass in its natural condition weighing 400 grams. 

 ( 14.1 oz. ) was in a clean state, and required little treatment beyond 

 cutting into small pieces ready for boiling. It is usually necessary on a 

 large scale to pass the material through some type of cleaner to remove 

 dirt and adventitious matter. The grass was then thoroughly wetted 

 and soaked until it became soft and pliable. It was placed in a boiler 

 of the spherical type, covered with water and digested with caustic soda 

 corresponding to 15% on the grass treated for a period of 10 hours 

 under a pressure which was kept constant at 4 atmospheres ; an even 

 temperature about 135°C. being maintained. 



Owing to the quantity of material at our disposal being somewhat 

 limited, it was only possible to conduct one experiment, consequently 

 a good margain in the use of caustic and degree of general treatment 

 was allowed. 



The pulp obtained after washing was of good uniform quality and 

 colour. The yield agreed very closely and was only slightly higher 

 than the preliminary chemical analysis shewed, which indicates com- 

 plete re-action in the digester. 



