Response surface methodology on the effects of soda – anthraquinone pulping conditions on oil palm empty fruit bunches pulp properties

• Main Authors: Ibrahim, M. (Author), Mohd Yunus, N.Y (Author), Nurul Husna, M.H (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences 2018
• Subjects: Oil palm empty fruit bunches; Pulp properties; Response surface methodology
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 Effects of soda–antrhraquinone (soda-AQ) pulping conditions on pulp properties of oil palm empty fruit bunches were studied by using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). Alkali charge (A), pulping temperature (T) and pulping time (t) were the pulping factors studied, with their ranges between 20 - 30%, 160 - 180 °C and 60 - 120 minutes, respectively. Pulp properties evaluated based on total yield (35.37 - 58.87%), screened yield (30.37 - 56.07%), Kappa number (6 – 16) and viscosity (5.43 - 16.02 cP). The effect of soda-AQ pulping conditions on oil palm empty fruit bunches fibers was clearly elucidated by the regression model obtained. The generated mathematical relationship showed that the optimum pulping condition was 27.30% alkali charge, temperature 160oC at 60 minutes. This combination of mild pulping conditions level produced: total yield (55.54%), screened yield (53.20%), Kappa number (10) and viscosity (12.02 cP). © 2018, Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences. All rights reserved.