Chitosan-filled filter media from lignocellulosic biomass

The aim of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of the fibrous media for removal of total suspended solid and oil grease from palm oil mill effluent (POME). The first part of the research deals with the fabrication and characterization of the non-woven filter media. Wet lay-up method was adopted for filter fabrication where empty fruit bunches (EFB) were matted together with chitosan polymer in nonwoven manner. The percentage of water sorption is significantly lower for chitosanfilled filter media as compared to binder-less filter media and the percentage decreases as the chitosan concentration increases. The increase of tensile strength of the chitosan-filled filter media could be attributed to the presence of the hydrogen bond between cellulose fibre and chitosan molecules as indicated in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra and good dispersion of chitosan solution onto the surface of filter media as suggested by the optical images. The Taguchi method revealed that the amount of chitosan loading had the most significant effect on filter media permeability compared to chitosan concentration, filter thickness, fabrication method and the fibre size. The filter with alkali-treated fibre showed a tighter network structure compared to the filter prepared from untreated EFB. The second part of the research studied the performance of the newly developed nonwoven filter media. Filtration flow-rate, filter depth, amount of chitosan loading in fibres and influent concentration were studied using the Response Surface Methodology. Filtration results indicated that chitosan-filled filter media filtration only removed up to 28.14% of total suspended solid, 29.86% of oil and grease, and 8.13% of chemical oxygen demand. Chitosan loading in the fibres was the most significant factor affecting the treatment of POME by chitosan-filled filter media filtration. The filter with a lower depth was able to remove particulates quickly but due to its thinness could not remove substantial quantities of the particulates over a long period of time. POME with a higher influent concentration led to a more rapid pressure drop during filtration process. In addition, all filter media suffered permeability loss and were easily clogged, which renders it unusable for long term filtration

A kinetic study of enzymatic hydrolysis of oil palm biomass for fermentable sugar using polyethylene glycol (PEG) immobilized cellulase

In this work, enzymatic hydrolysis by cellulase in a soluble and an immobilized form was studied to convert lignocellulosic oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) biomass into fermentable sugars as a feedstock for bioethanol production. The cellulase was covalently immobilized with activated and functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG) via glutaraldehyde coupling method. As a whole, the immobilized cellulase displayed 50 higher efficiency over free cellulase, in reducing sugar recovery during hydrolysis reactions at pH of 4.8 and temperature of 50°C. From the kinetic study, it showed that Michaelis constant (Km) and limiting velocity (Vmax) of immobilized cellulase were 179.2 mg/ml and 33.5 mg/ml.min respectively, comparable with the value for free cellulose, 171.8 mg/ml and 34.5 mg/ml.min respectively. This result could be attributed to the effect of PEG on the binding cellulase to substrate desorb substrates, and enables free interaction of cellulase to hydrolyse cellulose maximally

Pineapple peel based biocomposites for green packaging

In this research, pineapple peel fiber (PAPF) based low density polyethylene (LDPE) biocomposites for green packaging was studied. The PAPF was first being treated with alkali before compounded with LDPE. Then, the mixture was compounded using twin screw extruder and the test samples were prepared using hot press machine. The compatibility of the PAPF as biocomposites was observed through the characterization and biodegradation analysis. Melt flow index (MFI) analysis was conducted to determine the process ability of the biocomposites. As the fiber loading in the biocomposites increases, the MFI values were decreased. The amount of water absorption was increased with the increases of PAPF loading due to the higher cellulose content. The biocomposites was buried in the soil for a month for biodegradation analysis and the highest PAPF/LDPE loading biocomposites degraded the most

Removal of chromium (VI) with Aliquat 336 impregnated in Amberlite XAD-16. I. batch mode sorption studies

This work investigates the removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions using solvent impregnated resin (SIR). The solvent impregnated resin was formed by impregnating Amberlite XAD-16 resin with Aliquat 336 extractant. Solvent impregnated resins were prepared in three different concentrations; 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 grams Aliquat 336 per gram XAD-16. The solvent impregnated resin was formed using the wet method. The effect of pH on the sorption of chromium (VI) ions was investigated; equilibrium experiments were carried out with the different concentrations of solvent impregnated resin to test the sorption capacity. It was found that the sorption of chromium (VI) was most effective at pH 6. It was found that 90% removal was achieved under optimal conditions. The adsorption capasity for chromium was found to be 0.47, 0.56 and 0.63 mmol/g for 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/g, respectivel

Stability analysis of water in oil emulsion in liquid membrane process

Emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) is one of promising technique in separation process. This process consists of three phases: an external phase, a membrane phase and an internal phase. The membrane phase physically separates the external and internal phases and contains a surfactant to maintain emulsion stability. In this project, the study has highlighted the importance of emulsion stability in emulsion liquid membrane process. The emulsion liquid membrane consist of Cyanex 302 as a carrier, kerosene as organic solvent, Span 80 as an emulsifying agent and sulphuric acid as stripping agent. The important factors studied which affect the ELM stability are emulsification time (4-20 min), agitation speed (200-400 rpm); the concentrations of surfactant (1-9 % w/v) and carrier (0.1 -0.9 M). The results showed that 3% w/v Span 80, 0.1 M Cyanex 302, 5 minute emulsification time and 350 rpm agitation speed is sufficient to form stable emulsion

Pervaporation of isopropanol-water mixture using poly(vinyl) alcohol-zsm-5 membranes

The pervaporation separation of isopropanol-water mixture was carried out using poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) membrane incorporated with 0.2 wt% ZSM-5 zeolite. The manipulated variables were feed temperature and feed concentration. Initially, 5 wt% of PVA powder was dissolved in distilled water at 98 °C. The solution was stirred using magnetic stirrer for 1 hour to produce a homogenous solution. It was then cooled to room temperature before added with the zeolite. The PVA-zeolite solution was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature before it was casted on a porous support. The support layers were produced through phase inversion using casting solution of 12 wt% polysulphone, 11 wt% cellusolve and 77 wt% N,N-dimetil formamide (DMF). Finally, the modified composite membranes were produced by casting the PVA- zeolite solution on the porous polysulphone support layers. Pervaporation tests were conducted using SOLTEQ Pervaporation Bench Test Unit (Model: TR 12). The results showed the increase of water concentration in the feed and operating temperature, resulted in higher flux and lower selectivity. ZSM-5 filled PVA membrane showed potential as a separation medium for the pervaporation separation of isopropanol-water mixtures

Pervaporation of ethanol-water mixture using PVA zeolite-clay membranes

The objective of this research is to study the effects of feed concentration and temperature on the pervaporation of ethanol-water mixtures using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) zeoliteclay membranes. The liquid feeds for the pervaporation were prepared using different weight concentrations of ethanol which were 10 wt%, 30 wt%, 50 wt%, 70 wt% and 90 wt% of ethanol. The pervaporation separations were conducted at different temperatures which were 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C. The PVA zeolite-clay membranes were prepared by dissolving 0.2 wt% zeolite-clay powder and 5 wt% PVA powder in distilled water. The solution was casted on a porous support to produce composite membrane. The support layers were produced through phase inversion process using casting-solution of 12 wt% polysulfone, 11 wt% methyl cellusolve and 77 wt% N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The membranes were used for the separation of ethanol-water mixtures via pervaporation. The results showed that, when the ethanol concentrations of feed and feed temperature increased, the selectivity increased but absorption (flux) decreased. The PVA zeolite- clay composite membranes were relatively hydrophilic, mechanically strong and thus suitable to be used for the pervaporation separation of ethanol-water mixtures

Pervaporation of ethanol-water using chitosan-clay composite membrane

The pervaporation performance for the separation of ethanol-water azeotrope mixture was assessed by chitosan-clay composite membranes. Composite hydrophilic chitosan membrane was prepared from commercially available chitosan powder. The chitosan powder was dissolved using dilute acetic acid to produce chitosan solution. The chitosan solution was blended with small amount of clay and casted on a porous support which prepared from polysulfone to produce composite membrane. The performance of the membrane for the pervaporation separation of ethanol-water mixtures with various concentrations was explored. The effects of feed temperature on the permeation flux and separation factor were also investigated. The membrane was tested for ethanol-water mixtures separation with different ethanol concentrations (10 wt%, 30 wt%, 50 wt%, 70 wt% and 90 wt%) at room temperature. The effects of feed temperature was studied using a feed solution containing 90 wt% ethanol; the feed temperature was varied from 30 °C to 70 °C at permeate pressure below 0.07 bar. The results showed chitosan-clay composite membrane performed better with low water content carried out at low temperature and permeate pressure. There was a trade-off between the permeation flux and the separation factor where the flux decreased while the separation factor increased with the increasing of ethanol concentration in the ethanol-water mixtures

Lignocellulosic fiber media filters as a potential technology for primary industrial wastewater treatment

By-products from palm oil mill constitute the most abundant renewable resources available in Malaysia. Among these by-products, empty fruit bunches constitutes a significant portion of mill residues. The abundance of oil palm empty fruit bunches has created a vital environmental issue. Thus, the use of the lignocellulosic fibers would add its economic value, help reduce the cost of waste disposal, and most importantly, provide a potential inexpensive alternative to existing pre-treatment of palm oil mill effluent. This study was carried out to investigate the potential application of empty fruit bunches as a fiber filter media to remove oil and grease, turbidity and organics in term of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) from palm oil mill effluent treatment process. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibers were modified with chitosan solution before processed into a mat-type filter medium. Microscope images revealed surface morphology changes of the fibers due to the chemical treatment. Benchscaled experiment results indicated that pre-treatment using the fiber filtration system removed up to 66% of turbidity, 67% of Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and 85% of oil and grease. The results show that the lignocellulosic fiber filter could be a potential technology for primary wastewater treatment

Kinetic and thermodynamic study of simultaneous extration and stripping process of silver using Cyanex 302

Emulsion liquid membrane is one of separation method that involves three liquid phases which is internal phase, external phase and membrane phase. ELM is the effective separation method which provides a potentially powerful technique for metal separation and recovery. The kinetic and thermodynamic of silver extraction were studied. Several parameters governing the extraction behavior of silver have been investigated. These parameters were agitation speed, carrier concentration, surfactant concentration, external concentration and extraction time. Surfactant, carrier and diluent used were Span 90, Cyanex 302 and Kerosene respectively. Under optimized experimental conditional, the higher rate of silver extraction can be achieved. As a conclusion, by increasing the concentration of Span 80, Cyanex 302, agitation speed, extraction time and external concentration, the higher percentage and rate of silver extraction can be obtained