Development of a novel and environmentally friendly conversion of sugarcane bagasse into nanocellulose | |
| Author | Nagabhyru, Balavenkat Karthik |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.JNTUK-16-01 |
| Subject(s) | Cellulose nanocrystals. Biotechnology. Nanostructures. Organic compounds--Synthesis--Environmental aspects. |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. JNTUK-16-01 |
| Abstract | Most of sugarcane bagasse is a waste after harvesting cane and producing sugar. Sugarcane bagasse can be converted into valuable materials like nanocellulose, cellulose derivatives and special papers. It is not clear from the standpoint of Life Cycle Assessment which of the products (solid fuel, bioethanol or nanocellulose ) is the best selection. The study was conducted to address this environmental issue and evaluate the quality of dissolving pulp of Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) bagasse and its prospects for bio - refinery through a novel approach. Reduction in the hemicellulose content was found to be possible if pre - hydrolysis was introduced prior to alkaline cooking process and also high content of cellulose pulp was generated. The optimal protocol for pre - hydrolysis was concluded to be as follows: 150 ° C for 15 0 min to be followed by NaOH and anthraquinone (14 % active alkali) cooking at 160 ° C for 180 min. As a result, the kappa number, viscosity and brightness of the washed pulp was found to be 11.5, 13.9 cP and 58.3 % ISO, respectively. The lowest achieved ka ppa number was 3.5, which required very limited amount of chemicals to bleach. The amount of chemicals was substantially decreased for kraft cooking through using 14% active alkali, which coincidentally showed the best results for bleaching with an acceptable pulp yield of 34%. The higher environmental friendliness was due to the lower need for aggressive chemicals to be used for cooking and bleaching. The pulp was bleached by peroxymonosulfuric acid at 10% pulp consistency, while the lowest ever amount of the 0.1% acid was used for the bleaching sequence of O - Psa - Z - Ep (Oxygen - Peroxymonosulfuric acid – Ozone - Extraction with peroxide) further enhancing novelty and environmental friendliness of paper production. The improved bleaching resulted in the standard pulp properties (viscosity: 6.1 cP, brightness: 87.8 % ISO) which contribute for an novel enhanced synthesis of nanocellulose as compared to the pulp generated from any other sources . Overall it can be stated that there exists a good possibility to use sugarcane bagasse as a raw material for nanocellulose synthesis and producing paper. |
| Year | 2016 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. JNTUK-16-01 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Previous Degree Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kainada, India (JNTUK) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh;Ohi, Hiroshi |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016 |