Optimization of cellulose phosphate synthesis from oil palmlignocellulosics using wavelet neural networks

Cellulose phosphate was synthesized from microcrystalline cellulose derived from oil palm lignocellu-losics via the H3PO4/P2O5/Et3PO4/hexanol method. The influence of process variables (viz. temperature,reaction time, and the H3PO4/Et3PO4ratio) on the properties of the resulting cellulose phosphate wasinvestigated using a wavelet neural network model with the goals of ascertaining which factors werecritical and of determining optimized reaction parameters for this synthesis. The experimental resultscorroborated the good fit of the wavelet neural network model. The prediction errors were quite small(less than 7%), and the regression values (R2greater than 0.99) were also satisfactory

Oil palm frond fibers pulp from kraft pulping process– effect of beating

The main objective of this research is to determine the effect of beating to physical, mechanical and optical properties of the paper. The pulp that is used in this research is pulp from Oil Palm Frond (OPF). Pulping method that was carried out in this research is the kraft pulping which was undergo in 4 different conditions (20% NaOH: 20% Na2S; 20% NaOH, 30% Na2S; 30% NaOH, 20% Na2S and 30% NaOH, 30% Na2S). The beating process is carried out using PFI Mill Beater and five amounts of beating were imposed to each pulp (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1500 rotations). From the result obtained, the freeness (CSF) of the pulp was decreased against the increasing amount of beating. The optimum amount of beating is at 1500 rotations for tensile strength (5981.1 N/m), bursting strength (660.72 kPa) and folding endurance (915). For tearing resistance (730.23 mN), the optimum amount of beating is at 250 rotations. Beating also contributes to reduce the brightness and the opacity too. The result show that suitable beating stage for kraft OPF pulp is at 1500 rotations, because almost all testing give optimum or closely to optimum result at this amount of beating

Modeling of acetosolv pulping of oil palm fronds using response surface methodology and wavelet neural networks

Mathematical models based on response surface methodology (RSM) and wavelet neural networks (WNNs) in conjunction with a central composite design were developed in order to study the influence of pulping variables viz. acetic acid, temperature, time, and hydrochloric acid (catalyst) on the resulting pulp and paper properties (screened yield, kappa number, tensile and tear indices) during the acetosolv pulping of oil palm fronds. The performance analysis demonstrated the superiority of WNNs over RSM, in that the former reproduced the experimental results with percentage errors and mean squared errors between 3 and 8% and 0.0054–0.4514 respectively, which were much lower than those obtained by the RSM models with corresponding values of 12–40% and 0.0809–9.3044, further corroborating the goodness of fit of the WNNs models for simulating the acetosolv pulping of oil palm fronds. Based on this assessment, it validates the exceptional predictive ability of the WNNs in comparison to the RSM polynomial model

Wavelet neural networks applied to pulping of oil palm fronds

In the organosolv pulping of the oil palm fronds, the influence of the operational variables of the pulping reactor (viz. cooking temperature and time, ethanol and NaOH concentration) on the properties of the resulting pulp (yield and kappa number) and paper sheets (tensile index and tear index) was investigated using a wavelet neural network model. The experimental results with error less than 0.0965 (in terms of MSE) were produced, and were then compared with those obtained from the response surface methodology. Performance assessment indicated that the neural network model possessed superior predictive ability than the polynomial model, since a very close agreement between the experimental and the predicted values was obtained

Pulp and paper from oil palm fronds: Wavelet neural networks modeling of soda-ethanol pulping

Wavelet neural networks (WNNs) were used to investigate the influence of operational variables in the soda-ethanol pulping of oil palm fronds (viz. NaOH concentration (10-30%), ethanol concentration (15-75%), cooking temperature (150-190 ºC), and time (60-180 min)) on the resulting pulp and paper properties (viz. screened yield, kappa number, tensile index, and tear index). Performance assessments demonstrated the predictive capability of WNNs, in that the experimental results of the dependent variables with error less than 6% were reproduced, while satisfactory R-squared values were obtained. It thus corroborated the good fit of the WNNs model for simulating the soda-ethanol pulping process for oil palm fronds

A novel approach for bone scaffold from oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose phosphate / glass material

Current trend has demonstrated the implementation of natural polymers as alternative materials in various engineering applications including biomaterials and biomedical applications. This paper reviews the potential of Cellulose Phosphate derived from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB-CP) as a biomedical material. OPEFB-CP will act as reinforcement to glass materials in fabricating good and flexible scaffold composite materials. A 3-dimensional scaffold composite material comprised of the cellulose phosphate and glass material was produced by using a sol-gel technique. The composite biomaterial is expected to have degraded together as one material

Sequential Synergy of Alkaline Peroxide Treatment and Refining in Co-generating Filler for Pulp Web Augmentation

Desired pulp-based product properties can be achieved by addition of filler in the pulp network. In exploring this, fines co-generated upon refining the alkaline peroxide treated oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) were collected based on their passage and retention capacities when subjected to varying mesh-sizes stainless-steel square mesh wires. Pulp network incorporating fines produced from the synergy of low alkaline peroxide (AP) and low energy refining effects shows that blending 12% of the 400-mesh fines (P300/R400) with the normal 200-mesh pulp fraction enhanced paper tensile strength by 100% due to their favourable dimensions. This defines the usefulness of fibrillar particles whose cell wall collapsibility increases the web density by increasing bonding ability and thus, strength of pulp-based products. Fines produced from more extreme synergy between alkaline peroxide and degree of refining, exhibit unique submicron fibrils and ‘nano-CGF’ also responsible for further augmentation of EFB alkaline peroxide pulp network. Whether from the simple (low-AP and low energy refining) or the extreme synergy of AP and refining, the co-generated fines are apparently suitable materials for use as natural filler for augmentation of pulp network. Particularly for the simple AP and refining synergy, the introduced recovery and utilization of the co-generated filler (CGF) was found to reduce 74% turbidity and this improvement will help reduce the complexity of whitewater generation in the pulping system

Finite Element Analysis for Stress Distribution in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack

The component design of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) considerably affects pressure distribution in the PEMFC stack by creating uniform and effective pressure distribution. Assembly and component designs are essential in the PEMFC system to achieve optimal performance and durability of the PEMFC stack. Inadequate pressure in the stacking process can damage the cells and cause leakage and contact resistance. Moreover, an uneven distribution of pressure produces hot spots that can damage the system. Achieving the optimal design with reduced production cost requires pressure distribution simulation during the assembly. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to analyze system behavior with pressure variation during assembly by using Autodesk Inventory software. This study discussed the geometric modeling and FEA of the tensile distribution of the PEMFC stack. The detailed components reported on the geometry, dimensions, and mechanical properties of PEMFC components, such as membranes, gas diffusion layers, end plates, and bipolar plates. Results from the simulations showed no significant difference in the deformation of cells in the PEMFC stack, with changes in tensile distribution

Optimization of oil palm empty fruit bunches value chain in Peninsular Malaysia

Empty fruit bunches (EFB) are valuable palm oil mill waste that could be used to produce multiple products in the form of energy, chemicals, and materials. Therefore, efficient utilization of these biomass resources is essential to optimize the profitability of the industry while addressing environmental issues. In this study, a decision-support tool is developed to perform economic and environmental analyses of the future expansion of the palm oil industry. The sequential steps in the modeling and optimization of the EFB value chain are discussed. This study consists of four processing stages: converting EFB into intermediates and products, transportation networks, direct sale of products, and further processing of products. The proposed tool includes a mathematical model that considers biomass, production, transportation, and emission treatment costs from transportation and production activities. The model is solved with the Advanced Interactive Multidimensional Modeling System to determine the maximum profit and analyze biodiesel production. Peninsular Malaysia is selected as a case study. Results reveal the significant economic benefits of EFB utilization. The most profitable cases of EFB utilization are Case A, C, and D, which have the same 47% profit margin. The maximum profit of the selected utilization pathways in Case A is USD 151,822,904 per year based on different ownerships of all EFB processed, which is 79% lower than the result of a previous study that ignores the capacity limitations of the respective processing facilities. The environment–food–energy–water nexus is also elaborated inthis study. The conclusions are obtained based on the limitation, availability, and parameters or data used in this study

Optimization of oil palm empty fruit bunches value chain in Peninsular Malaysia

Empty fruit bunches (EFB) are valuable palm oil mill waste that could be used to produce multiple products in the form of energy, chemicals, and materials. Therefore, efficient utilization of these biomass resources is essential to optimize the profitability of the industry while addressing environmental issues. In this study, a decision-support tool is developed to perform economic and environmental analyses of the future expansion of the palm oil industry. The sequential steps in the modeling and optimization of the EFB value chain are discussed. This study consists of four processing stages: converting EFB into intermediates and products, transportation networks, direct sale of products, and further processing of products. The proposed tool includes a mathematical model that considers biomass, production, transportation, and emission treatment costs from transportation and production activities. The model is solved with the Advanced Interactive Multidimensional Modeling System to determine the maximum profit and analyze biodiesel production. Peninsular Malaysia is selected as a case study. Results reveal the significant economic benefits of EFB utilization. The most profitable cases of EFB utilization are Case A, C, and D, which have the same 47 % profit margin. The maximum profit of the selected utilization pathways in Case A is USD 151,822,904 per year based on different ownerships of all EFB processed, which is 79 % lower than the result of a previous study that ignores the capacity limitations of the respective processing facilities. The environment–food–energy–water nexus is also elaborated in this study. The conclusions are obtained based on the limitation, availability, and parameters or data used in this study