Production of cellulose fiber from oil palm frond using steam explosion method

• Main Author: Kamarul Azlan, Abd. Hamid
• Format: Undergraduates Project Papers
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: TS Manufactures
• Online Access: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/697/1/Kamarul_Azlan_Abd._Hamid.pdf; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/697/

The world's largest producer and exporter of palm oil today is Malaysia, producing about 47% of the world's supply of palm oil. Indonesia is the second largest world producer of palm oil producing approximately 36% of world palm oil volume. Both nations are expanding their palm oil production capacity and the market continues to grow. It is estimate 26.2 million tonnes of oil palm fronds is treated as biomass in Malaysia. Palm frond consist huge amount of fiber while it can be transform because the fiber has cellulose in it. Majorly, fronds are taken from palm oil waste which is usually will be burn. Cellulose is the major constituent of paper, textiles and pharmaceutical products. This research is to prepare and produce the cellulose fiber from oil palm frond. Steam explosion pretreatment was conducted to enhance the accessibility of the oil palm frond lignocellulose. The combination of temperature and time known as the Log Ro in steam explosion process were used as the main parameter in this research. Several steps are involved in the preparation of cellulose such as steam explosion, alkaline treatment and bleaching. Temperature is use as parameter to achieve better product. Result shows that Log Ro giving contribution to the yield obtained. Steam exploded fiber giving yield in range 71 to 90%, alkaline extracted fiber : 70 – 90% yield and bleach fiber : 90 -95% yield from their raw materials.