title: Production of pulp and energy using orange tree prunings.
abstract: The aim of this work was to chemically characterize orange tree prunings and use it in pulping and combustion processes. Soda-anthraquinone pulping of the main fraction of orange pruning (stems with a diameter > 0.5 cm) was simulated with polynomial and neurofuzzy models, that predicted pulp properties as a function of operating variables (155-185°C, 40-90 min, soda concentration, 10-16%) with errors less than 20%. The heating values (16,870 kJ/kg), the flame temperature (1150-2150 °C) and dew point temperature of fuel gas (47-53 °C) for the residual fraction from orange pruning (stems diameter < 0.5 cm and leaves) was determined and compared with other non-wood lignocellulosic materials. As a consequence the price of kJ obtained by combustion of this residual fraction is less than other lignocellulosic materials, much lower than those of fossil fuels.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Requejo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones; D056804:Biofuels; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005740:Gases; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010209:Paper; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D013030:Spain; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D056804:Biofuels; D005740:Gases; C036909:lignocellulose; D008031:Lignin