MEA-conversion of agro-wastes to paper-pulp: Optimization of pulping conditions

This paper investigates the potentials of a novel environmental friendly pulping (Monoethanoleamine-MEA) process in comparison with conventional Soda and Kraft pulping processes in furnishing high yield pulp from agro-biomass for the formation Papers and other paper products. The pulping investigation had three (3) factors at three (3) different levels each: Factor 1, MEA concentration (50, 75 and 100%); Factor 2, cooking time (60, 90 and 120minutes); Factor 3, liquor-biomass ratio (4, 6 and 8) at a fixed temperature of 123±5oC. Consequently, the experimental design had 27 treatments (3×3×3) and 2 replicates. By using a central composite factorial design, equations relating the dependent variable (pulp yield) to the different independent variables (cooking temperature, cooking time and liquor concentration) were derived; reproducing the experimental result for the dependent variable with errors less than 15%. Models were evaluated to analyze the effect of experimental pulping conditions on pulp properties and evaluate the effect of these properties on furnished paper samples. Pulp Screened Yields was in the range of 42.45 to 49.18% calculated on oven dry (O.D) basis. The resultant pulps obtained from the cooking operation had very good appearance, exhibiting fairly bright color, with slow tendency to felt, thereby making drainage and consequent paper making time short. It is recommended that the cellulosic pulp obtained from MEA pulping of EFB is appropriate as virgin fiber for strengthening secondary fibers in recycled papers and also for developing certain types of writing, printing and packaging paper materials. Conclusive investigation on EFB fiber in this research study asserts that it has a promising future (when used in blend with certain long fiber plant i.e. kenaf) in substituting wood in the pulp, paper and fiber- board industry. Conclusive investigation also asserts from over-all parameter achieved that monoethanolamine-MEA when used as the main de-lignifying agent furnished pulp and subsequent paper with good strength properties that can adequately match those from conventional (i.e. kraft and soda) processes and because it works without the use of sulphur compounds, it attributes a particular benefit of simple MEA recovery by distillation, allowing black liquor combustion to be dispensed and the dissolved lignin recovered without negative impact on the environment.