Abstract:
This study evaluated the fiber characteristics of banana stalk and oil palm empty bunch for pulp and paper making. Banana stalks and oil palm empty fruit bunches were collected from dump ground and processed for chemical analysis in order to determine their alpha cellulose, lignin and ash content. The two raw materials were macerated in order to determine their fiber morphological characteristics. Pulping of the raw materials was done using 7% and 9% NaOH at temperature of 110oC and 120oC. The percentage pulp yield was determined and compared significant variation. Hand sheet of paper was produced from each of the two fibrous materials. Derived morphological indices viz; slenderness ratio, elastic coefficient, rigidity coefficient and Runkel were used to evaluate the strength of the paper. The result of this study shows that the average fiber length of banana stalk and oil palm empty fruit bunch is 2.14±0.85mm and 1.02±0.35mm respectively. The slenderness ratio, elastic coefficient, rigidity coefficient and Runkel ratio of banana stalk fiber is 0.11±0.08, 60.60±11.52%, 19.71±5.48%, and 0.70±0.32 respectively. While that of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber is 0.05±0.01, 62.78±15.81%, 20.37±5.07% and 0.71±0.29 respectively banana stalk fiber is made up of 44.31% alpha cellulose, 11.05% lignin and 12.46% ash. While oil palm empty fruit bunch consists of 35.25% alpha cellulose, 15.85% lignin and 8.00% ash. The highest pulp yield of 68.78% was recorded for banana stalk at 110oC using 7% of NaOH, while 72.79% at 120oC using 7% NaOH was recorded for oil palm empty fruit bunch. From the result of this study, it was observed that banana stalk and oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber has thin wall which enhances alkaline solubility. Banana stalk fiber falls within long fiber range, while oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber falls within short fiber range. Derived indices values fall within acceptable range for acceptable paper tensile and burst strength. However, the tear strength of the paper produced from the two raw materials could be low due to low Runkel ratio. Banana stalk fiber has high cellulose, low lignin and high ash content while oil palm empty fruit bunch has low cellulose, low lignin and moderately low ash content. The pulp yield could be said to increase with decrease in the concentration of NaOH at constant temperature, hence a mild chemical pulping is suitable for them. The overall result of this study shows that both banana stalk and oil palm empty fruit bunch are potential fibrous materials for paper production.
