Properties of thermomechanical pulps derived from sugarcane bagasse and oil palm empty fruit bunches

Abstract

This research identified suitable conditions to fabricate pulp fibers for paperboards and medium density fiberboards (MDF) from the bagasse of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and the empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). First, the effects of chemical pretreatments at 121°C and pressurized refining under steaming conditions were studied in regards to the thermomechanical pulps. The optimal conditions to achieve the highest paper strength properties of the EFB pulp involved pretreatment with 2% NaOH for 2h and refining at 0.7MPa of pressure at 165°C. The sugarcane bagasse (SB) pulp properties could not be improved by chemical pretreatment, while the EFB pulp properties clearly benefited from such pretreatment. Second, the effects of dry and wet blowing methods after pressurized refining on the fiber properties were examined. The strength properties of the half-dried SB and EFB pulps with 55% solid content were slightly higher than those of their wet counterparts. These results clearly suggest that SB and EFB can be promising refined fibers for paperboard and MDF preparation. Third, MDF was made from dried EFB refined fibers with 92% solid content by dry processing, and suitable properties for actual use were obtained.