Physicochemical Evaluation of Eichhornia crassipes and Pennisetum purpureum used for Production of Drilling Mud Additives

Cellulose isolated from Eichhornia crassipe (Water hyacinth) and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass) were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy and standard analytical methods for production of drilling mud. The physico-chemical analyses were carried out after chlorination and alkaline process using sodium chlorite and sodium hydroxide for the extraction of cellulose from the two biomass samples under same experimental conditions. Results of physico-chemical analysis of Eichhornia crassipes showed pH: 7.30; conductivity 0.028; bulk density 0.1097g/ml. Pennisetum purpureum showed pH: 7.50; conductivity 0.192; bulk density 0.1378g/ml. Pennisetum purpureum has a higher cellulose yield of 31.39% compared with Eichhornia crassipes with a percentage cellulose yield of 21.88%. Both biomass samples have Herzberg strain of Violet-blue. The results of the Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy showed prominent peaks at 3353-3164, 1655, 1629, 1320, 1033 and 1019 cm-1. The broad absorption bands around 3353-3164 cm-1 indicated stretching of –OH groups due to inter-molecular and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds of polymeric compounds. The sharp bands at 1655 cm-1 and 1629 cm-1 showed C=C stretch of aromatics. The sharp absorption bands observed at 1320, 1019 and 1033 cm-1 were characteristic of C—O stretch and C—O—C asymmetric stretch of cellulose. The FTIR results proved that the products extracted from the two samples were aromatic hydroxyl compounds. The results of the physicochemical analyses showed that cellulose isolated from the biomass samples which are persistent noxious weeds that invade the aquatic and terrestrial environment can be utilized in industrial applications for drilling fluid production.

Implementation of Auto-Hydrolysis Process for the Recovery of Antioxidants and Cellulose from Wheat Straw

Wheat straw is an easily affordable, cost-effective and natural source of antioxidants and cellulose, but its full potential is not yet utilized. In the present investigation, an auto-hydrolytic process was applied to recover both antioxidant phenolic compounds and cellulose from wheat straw. Two three-step acid/alkaline fractionation processes were applied differing for the first step: a conventional mild acid hydrolysis or an auto-hydrolysis. The liquors from the first step were analyzed for the recovery of antioxidants, while the final residues from the whole process were analyzed for cellulose yield and purity. The auto-hydrolysis process led to a higher yield in antioxidants but also in sugars (glucose and xylose) and sugar degradation products (5-HMF, 5-MF, furfural) than the acid hydrolysis process. The overall cellulose recovery (about 45% g/100 gcellulose wheat straw dm) and purity was comparable in the two processes; therefore, the auto-hydrolysis-based process could be recommended as a potentially more environmentally friendly process to recover antioxidants and cellulose from wheat straw for different applications. Finally, a first study on the optimization of hydrolysis step was provided from the point of view of improving the cellulose yield, monitoring the sugars release during both the acid hydrolysis and the auto-hydrolysis process.

Increasing pulp yield in kraft cooking of softwoods by high initial effective alkali concentration (HIEAC) during impregnation leading to decreasing secondary peeling of cellulose

Pulp yield can be improved by a more homogeneous delignification of the chips, achieved by improved impregnation prior to the cooking stage. Complete and efficient impregnation is obtained by increasing the diffusion rate by means of an impregnation liquor with a high initial effective alkali concentration (HIEAC). In the present study, the effect of HIEAC in the impregnation was evaluated and compared to a reference impregnation procedure and a prolonged impregnation. After the various impregnation scenarios, the alkali concentration was always adjusted to the same level in the beginning of the cooking stage. Impregnation with a HIEAC resulted in yield improvements by 1–1.5% units, due to a higher cellulose yield and possibly also to higher yield of glucomannan. The HIEAC with an even alkali distribution within the chips prior to the cooking stage resulted in a more uniform delignification carbohydrate degradation. Yield increase obtained by uniform delignification is due to both decreased shives content as well as less secondary peeling.

EXTRACTION OF CELLULOSE FROM TOBACCO ROD AS PREPARATION TO BIOETANOL PRODUCTION

Nowadays the need for fuel has always improved as following the increase in community and industry activities. Therefore, we need to search for resources of alternative energy. The tobacco rod is one of the lignocellulosic materials which has three main components namely cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic materials is strongly influenced by the composition of cellulose in its raw materials. This research use the cellulose extraction of tobacco rods by a bases method on NaOH concentrations are 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5% (v/v) . The results show that the concentration of NaOH strongly influences the yield of cellulose extracted. The highest cellulose yield of the extraction is obtained on 12.5% of NaOH concentration.