Effect of ultrasonic pre-treatment on low temperature acid hydrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunch.
Various pre-treatment techniques change the physical and chemical structure of the lignocellulosic biomass and improve hydrolysis rates. The effect of ultrasonic pre-treatment on oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre prior to acid hydrolysis has been evaluated. The main objective of this study was to determine if ultrasonic pre-treatment could function as a pre-treatment method for the acid hydrolysis of OPEFB fibre at a low temperature and pressure. Hydrolysis at a low temperature was studied using 2% sulphuric acid; 1:25 solid liquid ratio and 100 degrees C operating temperature. A maximum xylose yield of 58% was achieved when the OPEFB fibre was ultrasonicated at 90% amplitude for 45min. In the absence of ultrasonic pre-treatment only 22% of xylose was obtained. However, no substantial increase of xylose formation was observed for acid hydrolysis at higher temperatures of 120 and 140 degrees C on ultrasonicated OPEFB fibre. The samples were then analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to describe the morphological changes of the OPEFB fibre. The SEM observations show interesting morphological changes within the OPEFB fibre for different acid hydrolysis conditions.
Yunus
Robiah
R
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia. robiah@eng.upm.edu.my
Salleh
Shanti Faridah
SF
Abdullah
Nurhafizah
N
Biak
Dyg Radiah Awg
DR
D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005638:Fruit / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006868:Hydrolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000378:metabolism*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000379:methods*
D010938:Plant Oils; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D000073878:Palm Oil; C033158:sulfuric acid