OPTIMIZATION OF THE SODA ANTHRAQUINONE PULPING OF OIL PALM FROND USING A CIRCULATED LIQUOR DIGESTER

• Main Author: Suhendri
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Teknik kimia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/68100
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Oil palm fronds are waste from the oil palm pruning process which are generally thrown away or left to rot under coconut trees. Oil palm fronds contain lignocellulose, which is an important macromolecular component for pulp production. Oil palm fronds are available throughout the year with a potential of 5.8-8.1 tons/hectare/year. Utilization of oil palm fronds can increase added value and become an alternative to the main raw material for pulp, namely wood. Soda pulping is the main method for pulping several agricultural (non-wood) biomasses including oil palm fronds. The addition of anthraquinone can increase the effectiveness of the soda process, because anthraquinone can increase the pulping rate and protect against carbohydrate degradation. Research on the production of pulp from oil palm fronds was studied using a laboratory digester, M/K circulation digester. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) experimental design based on Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to study the effect of cooking temperatures of 140, 150, and 160 oC, cooking times of 120, 180 and 240 minutes, and NaOH concentrations of 10%, 15%, and 20% on pulping process with the addition of 0.1% anthraquinone. Surface response analysis to get the optimum point was carried out using the statistical software Design Expert 13 trial version. The experimental results showed that the pulping of oil palm fronds with the soda process was successful, and the addition of anthraquinone could increase the pulping effect of caustic soda. Based on RSM analysis, the factors of cooking temperature, cooking time and NaOH concentration affect the yield (19.01- 31.00%), kappa number (9.24-15.69), and viscosity (2.91-34.45 cp). Optimal process conditions, namely cooking at a temperature of 140 oC, cooking time of 120 minutes, and 10% NaOH concentration are recommended for the manufacture of oil palm fronds pulp with soda-anthraquinone process with circulating digester (yield 30.57%, kappa number 13.87, and viscosity 24.03 cp) with a desirability value of 0.99.