Suitability of Four Varieties of Cocos Nucifera Husk in Ghana for Pulp and Paper Production

ABSTRACT

Research by the paper industry into new materials to expand the raw material base for pulp is on the ascendancy due to growing demand for pulp and paper products. This study assessed the anatomical, chemical, and pulping characteristics of four varieties of Cocos nucifera husk to ascertain their suitability as raw material for pulp and paper production. The measured and calculated chemical (Klason Lignin, 1% NaOH solubility and Holocellulose contents) and anatomical (Fiber dimensions, Runkel Ratio, Slenderness Ratio, Flexibility Coefficient, Coefficient of Rigidity, Luce’s Shape Factor and Solids Factor) properties of the Cocos nucifera husks mostly did not meet the standard requirements for a good pulp and paper material. However, the Local Tall Yellow variety of the Cocos nucifera husk was favorable in terms of Runkel Ratio, Slenderness Ratio, Flexibility Coefficient, and Coefficient of Rigidity and can be considered for the production of pulp for writing and printing papers. In spite of the limitations of the other three varieties for making quality paper, they could be used for fiber plate, rigid cardboard, and cardboard production.

摘要

由于对纸浆和纸制品的需求日益增长，造纸工业对新材料的研究以扩大纸浆原料基础而占主导地位. 通过对4个椰子壳的解剖、化学和制浆特性的研究，确定了椰子壳作为制浆造纸原料的适宜性. 椰子壳的化学性质（Klason 木质素、1%NaOH 溶解度和综纤维素含量）和解剖性质（纤维尺寸、Runkel 比、长细比、柔韧性系数、刚性系数、Luce 形状因子和固体因子）的测定和计算结果大多不符合标准要求良好的纸浆和纸张材料. 而当地的椰壳高黄色品种在朗克尔比、长细比、柔韧性系数和刚度系数等方面表现良好，可作为生产书写和印刷用纸浆的原料. 尽管其他三个品种在制造优质纸张方面有局限性，但它们可用于纤维板、硬纸板和纸板生产.

KEYWORDS:

• Bursting strength
• Cocos nucifera
• non-woody materials
• pulping
• sheet density
• tearing resistance

关键 字:

• 关键词: bursting strength
• 爆裂强度，Cocos nucifera
• 椰子，non-woody materials
• 非木质材料，pulping
• 制浆，sheet density
• 纸页密度，tearing resistance抗撕裂性

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Nicholas Albert Darkwa, Mr. Amoah Douglas and Mr. Adjei Mensah Enoch for their contribution and support towards the success of this research.