Production and Characterization of Pulp and Paper from Different Parts Raphia Palm Tree
Aniekan E. Akpakpan *
Department of Chemistry, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
Iniobong S. Enengedi
Department of Chemistry, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
Edet W. Nsi
Department of Chemistry, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
Aniediong M. Umo
Department of Chemical Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
Ubong I. Udoakpan
Department, Forestry and Wildlife University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable raw materials for pulp and paper production has created significant interest in the use of non-wood lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigated the potential of different parts of Raphia palm waste, namely fronds, petioles, piassava, and tie-tie, as alternative raw materials for pulp and paper production. The materials were subjected to soda pulping using 15% soda liquor at a solid-to-liquor ratio of 1:10 for 3 h at 120 °C in a laboratory digester. The resulting pulps were mechanically treated, washed, and bleached with sodium hypochlorite. Pulp yield, Kappa number, residual lignin, water solubility, and 1% sodium hydroxide solubility were determined according to Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) standards. Structural changes resulting from pulping and bleaching were examined using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Paper sheets were produced from the different pulps using a laboratory hand mould, and the effect of starch as a bonding agent on the properties of the paper sheets was evaluated. The results showed that the unbleached pulp yield ranged from 44.18% for piassava to 54.49% for frond. Kappa numbers ranged from 34.60 to 37.35, corresponding to residual lignin contents of 4.50–4.86%. Bleached pulp yields based on the original raw materials ranged from 29.74% for tie-tie to 43.11% for frond, while yields based on the unbleached pulp used for bleaching ranged from 57.40% for tie-tie to 81.62% for petiole. FTIR spectra showed characteristic lignocellulosic functional groups, while the reduction or disappearance of carbonyl and aromatic lignin-associated bands after pulping and bleaching confirmed the removal of substantial amounts of hemicellulose, extractives, and lignin. Paper sheets produced from frond, petiole, and piassava showed good formation, whereas tie-tie exhibited poorer sheet formation. Starch addition generally increased the grammage and thickness of the paper sheets. These findings showed that different parts of Raphia palm waste can serve as alternative non-wood fibre resources for pulp and paper production.
Keywords: Raphia palm, pulping, pulp, bleaching, Kappa number, paper making