ALKALINE PEROXIDE MECHANICAL PULPING OF OIL PALM LIGNOCELLULOSICS: PART 1 - EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL PRETREATMENTS ON EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH (EFB) CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

摘要

Chemical characterization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches, EFB, and pretreated EFB as lignocellulosic material for papermaking had been studied. The main objective was to develop an understanding of the effects pretreatments have on the chemical composition of EFB before subjecting to further chemical treatments involved in the Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulping (APMP) processes. Chemical and mechanical pretreatments applied to EFB had potentially removed 95% manganese, 49% calcium, 37% extractives, 81% ash and 84% silica initially present in the lignocellulosic material. As these components pose more drawbacks than good to paper and papermaking processes, pretreatment may help overcome part of the problems and improve yield by maximizing chemical efficiency.