Abstract
Biobased thermal insulation is of relevance as a sustainable substitute for current fossil-based materials. In this regard, oil palm trunk (OPT), which arises in substantial quantities as a by-product of the palm oil industry, is a suitable raw material due to its relatively high content in cellulosic fibers and low cost. The present study focuses on the inner part of OPT, which is light and low in mechanical performance and therefore lacks suitable applications other than fuel wood. OPT was grinded, chemically pre-treated to reduce the content of non-cellulosic constituents and fibrillated. With the partial aid of additives, the fiber suspensions where then mechanically foamed and dried. The light-weight panels produced by this method showed low densities of roughly 50 – 100 kg m−3 and thermal conductivity of 40 – 45 mW m−1 K−1. With these values, OPT foam panels are well within reach of current non-bio-based insulation materials and perform equally well or even better than other bio-based thermal insulation materials.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
