Scientific Analysis of Engineering Materials Derivable from Smart Electronically-Calibrated Non-Woody Agricultural Waste for Production of Pulp

Udo, Itoro Esiet, Usungurua, Enefiok Okon, Ekpo, Sunday ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9219-3759, Eze-Idehen, Perpetual and Sam, Jeff (2023) Scientific Analysis of Engineering Materials Derivable from Smart Electronically-Calibrated Non-Woody Agricultural Waste for Production of Pulp. In: The Second International Conference on Adaptive and Sustainable Science, Engineering and Technology (ASSET 2023), 18 July 2023 - 20 July 2023, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria and Manchester, UK. (In Press)

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Abstract

The necessity for a self-dependent economy and the quest to develop more raw materials for chemical and agrochemical industries have expand-ed the frontiers of the researcher in the aspect of the engineering materials derivable from agricultural waste products, particularly from straws and other non-woody waste products channelled towards the production of pulp for handmade and tissue papers for household and commercial usage thereby boosting the economy and reducing importation and foreign dependence. In this study, two samples Zea mays straws and Luffa cylindrica described as agricultural waste were used. These were obtained from the swamp region of Ikpe Anang River in Ini Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The samples were washed with water and cut into small lengths of about 2 cm and air dried for 3 days to reduce moisture content before grinding to powder and stored in a container for further analysis. Scientific analysis of chemical composition in terms of; Ash content and Fibre analysis including fibre length, fibre diameter, fibre lumen width, fibre cell wall thickness, runnel ratio and flexibility coefficient were carried out. Thereafter, results showing characteristics of straws (physical parameters), solubility tests, bulk density, fibre characteristics and variation in fibre characteristics in both samples were also examined and summarized as derived values for fibre characteristics. The results obtained shows that the two plant straws had satisfactory fibre characteristics for pulp production for handmade and tissue paper.