Evaluating Efficiency of Alkaline Treatment for Waste Bagasse

Abstract

Cellulose, lignin, raw bagasse fiber, and extracted bagasse fibers chemically processed with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide solution and treatment time were measured by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The thermal characteristics of these fibers were determined by thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) profiles and analyzed based on the onset degradation temperature, peak rate of thermal decomposition, and residual weight. According to the observations from the experimental data from TGA and DTG profiles and literature reports, it was found that higher content of cellulose and lower content of lignin would result in higher onset degradation temperature, higher peak rate of decomposition, and lower residual weight. Statistical analysis of the onset decomposition temperatures, peak rate of weight loss, and residual weights of different extracted bagasse fibers showed that most of their values were significantly different. The three‐dimensional surface plots of onset decomposition temperature and peak rate of weight loss indicated that higher content of cellulose occurred in the bagasse fiber treated under the condition close to the region around 2 N NaOH for 2 hours or 1.5 N NaOH for 1.5 hours.

Keywords:

• bagasse
• cellulose
• lignin
• TGA
• thermal decomposition

Acknowledgment

This research is sponsored by the research grant, Governor's Biotechnology Initiative. The authors would like to acknowledge their thanks to the Louisiana Board of Regents for providing this financial support.