Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Research Articles

Furfural purification and production from prospective agricultural waste of oil palm empty fruit bunch: Simulation, design and economic assessments

Furfural is potentially produced from lignocellulose waste of biorefinery processes and is widely used as a value-added in various chemical industries. However, the purification of furfural should be conducted to obtain high purity. This work aims to synthesize, design, and optimize the furfural production using some alternative distillation processes by simulation using Super Pro and ASPEN software. The pretreatment process of producing crude furfural from empty fruit bunch waste is also evaluated. The production cost of $0.23/kg of crude furfural (5%) was obtained in the preliminary process. In the purification process, the sequenced distillation process was less prospective than the extractive distillation based on the simulation basis and economic evaluation. The extractive distillation using n-butyl chloride performed better than toluene and benzene as the furfural recovery, and the purity was 98.60% and 99.94%, respectively. The payback period (PBP), internal rate return (IRR), and net present value (NPV) also indicated the great performance of the extractive distillation process with values of 1.24 years, 36.04%, and $14,591,500, respectively. Therefore, the simulation, design, and economic evaluation presented promising results that are feasible for plant establishment.

Novel Fungicide from Waste Oil Palm Fruit Bunch for Sustainable Management of Tomato Wilt Disease Caused by Fusarium oxysporum - experimental and in silico studies

Tomato wilt, a widespread and persistent disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, can be effectively controlled through biological approaches, promoting ecosystem sustainability and enhancing agricultural productivity and quality. This study explored the use of empty oil palm fruit bunch (EOPFB) waste as a natural fungicide to control tomato Fusarium wilt disease through in vitro, pilot scale, and molecular docking experiments. EOPFB aqueous extract showed the highest mycelium growth inhibition of 68.3 %, with the commercial fungicide Mancozeb exhibiting a moderate 42.30 % inhibition, and sterile distilled water having a negligible effect of 0.24 %. The inhibition rate varied with concentration, peaking at 72.63 % at 0.15 g/mL and dropping to 54.80 % at 0.01 g/mL. In terms of wilt disease incidence and severity, EOPFB performed best, recording the lowest incidence of 47.20 % and severity of 15.58 %. Mancozeb followed closely, with an incidence of 46.30 % and severity of 26.23 %. Sterile distilled water, on the other hand, showed the highest incidence of 76.28 % and severity of 56.17 %. Molecular docking simulations corroborated the experimental results, validating the potency of EOPFB as an inhibitor of trypsin from F. oxysporum, and identifying 2-amino-5,6-dimethyl-3 H-pyrimidine-4-one as the primary active compound responsible for the fungicidal activity. This phytochemical, abundant in the crude ethanolic extract of EOPFB, was found to have a higher binding affinity (6.1 kcal/mol) than Mancozeb (4.8 kcal/mol), at the trypsin target. These findings demonstrate the potential of EOPFB, an agricultural waste product, as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for managing tomato Fusarium wilt disease, contributing to increased tomato production. It also highlights the potential of 2-amino-5,6-dimethyl-3 H-pyrimidine-4-one as a lead compound for the development of novel, natural fungicides, and underscores the value of EOPFB as a rich source of bioactive compounds with agricultural and biotechnological applications.

Utilization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Waste as a Mixing Material for In-terlocking Brick Production

The choice of building materials has a considerable influence on the reliability of a building. Conventional bricks, despite their frequent use, pose a challenge due to their weight, as they affect the load-bearing capacity of the building, unlike interlocking bricks, which have holes at the top and bottom for reinforcement, potentially reducing the effects of earthquakes. In this study, interlocking bricks made from a mixture of empty oil palm fruit stalks and sand with different sand replacements (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5%) are investigated. The research results consistently show that the average density of EFB fiber composite bricks with a density of 1.48 grams/cm³ is lower than that of standard composite bricks. Although the compressive strength of these bricks is initially lower than that of standard bricks, it increases with the substitution of part of the sand with EFB fibers, although not significantly, with the highest compressive strength observed at a substitution rate of 12.5%, reaching 5.201 MPa. Water absorption rates ranged from 13.97% to 21.99%, which increases compared to standard bricks but still meets the requirements. With ongoing research and innovation, EFB-based interlocking bricks have the potential to address environmental challenges and support sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices.

Analisis Pemanfaatan Limbah Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit Dalam Produktivitas Kerja Karyawan PT Cipta Usaha Sejati

The target of this research is to find information on the process of processing empty oil palm bunch waste, the impact of processing empty palm fruit bunch waste which creates a comfortable working environment, the impact of a comfortable working environment on work productivity. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method, involving 5 employees of PT Cipta Usaha Sejati. Data was collected through interviews, observation, documentation, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, and the validity of the data was checked using triangulation techniques and using reference materials. The research results show that there is the availability of empty palm oil bunch waste and the processing of empty palm oil bunch waste carried out by PT Cipta Usaha Sejati produces products in the form of chopped tangkos and ash which is used as compost fertilizer. The waste processing carried out can affect the employee's work environment in 3 aspects, namely: (1) Layout of empty oil palm fruit bunch waste (2) Cleanliness of the work environment (3) Air circulation, which means that with this waste processing, the work environment around the waste disposal site be neat and orderly. Because a work environment that is neat and organized also has a positive impact on employee work productivity with 4 aspects: (1) Ability to motivate oneself (2) Build self-confidence (3) be responsible at work (4) make a positive contribution.

Feasibility analysis of technical and environmental aspects of establishing an oil palm empty fruit bunch waste processing business unit

The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility of the plan to establish a business unit for processing OPEFB waste into briquettes and liquid smoke products based on technical and environmental aspects. The establishment of an OPEFB processing business unit will be established in the Sei Galuh PKS area, with a production capacity of 3000 kg/day and capable of producing charcoal briquette products of 644.25 kg/day and liquid smoke products of 314.11 kg/day. The business unit will be built on an area of ±767.5911 m² and consists of 12 facilities. The environmental impact caused by the establishment of this business unit can be reviewed from the physical development period of the project including land acquisition and the project operation period including waste and pollution that can be handled properly and does not cause adverse impacts on the environment around the business unit area. So that based on the technical and environmental aspects of this OPEFB processing business unit is feasible to establish.

Properties and flame retardancy of polylactide composites incorporating tricresyl phosphate and modified microcrystalline cellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunch waste

One of the major environmental issues that have an impact on humans, animals, and their surroundings is plastic garbage. The use of biodegradable polymers in place of traditional plastics is one of the best solutions to this significant issue. The bio-circular-green (BCG) economic model is supported by the use of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a bio-filler for polylactide (PLA) composites, which may also help to address the issue of improper plastic waste management. This study explores the chemical modification of MCC derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch waste (OPMC). Maleic anhydride-modified OPMC (MAMC) is successfully synthesized by a solvent-free and low temperature heating procedure. MAMC and tricresyl phosphate (TCP) were used as additives in PLA composites which were processed by melt extrusion and compression molding. Characterization studies confirmed the successful modification of MAMC and indicated that TCP played a crucial role as an effective plasticizer and flame retardant for PLA. All PLA/TCP composites showed significantly improved toughness and delayed ignition. The appropriate TCP level was 10 phr. The incorporation of TCP and MAMC resulted in a synergistic enhancement of impact strength and maintained excellent flame inhibition. Moreover, the thermal stability of the PLA composites increased with increments of MAMC.

Synthesis of Cu-(TAC) Composite with Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Activated Carbon Through the Adsorption Mechanism of βCarotene

This study aims to determine the adsorption and desorption abilities of activated carbon and Cu-(TAC) composites in the β-carotene adsorption process on Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) are used as activated carbon and modified with MOFs Cu-(TAC). Activated carbon and Cu-(TAC) composites were characterized by XRD, SEM-EDX, and BET. The concentration of β-carotene absorbed during the adsorption process was analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The variations used to determine the optimum conditions for absorption of β-carotene were the mass variation of the adsorbent and the variation in the contact time between the adsorbent and adsorbate. The results of the characterization of activated carbon showed a sharp absorption in the presence of O-H, C-H and C-O groups indicating the presence of cellulose. Activated carbon is amorphous and the Cu-(TAC) composite has a crystal structure and its pore size is mesoporous. The optimum conditions for the use of activated carbon for β-carotene adsorption were the mass variation of 8 grams with 0.495 ppm of β-carotene and contact time at 120 minutes with 2.605 ppm of β-carotene. The optimum condition of the Cu-(TAC) composite in the β-carotene adsorption process was at 4 gram mass variation with 1.026 ppm β-carotene content and optimum contact time at 60 minutes with 6.384 ppm β-carotene content. The ability of desorption can be seen from the percentage of desorption showing activated carbon in the 150th minute with 96.252% while in the Cu-(TAC) composite in the 30th minute with 88.188%.

Carbon-neutral synfuel production via continuous solar H2O and CO2 gasification of oil palm empty fruit bunch

Solar gasification offers a promising carbon-neutral pathway to thermochemically convert waste biomass and solar energy into synfuel. In this study, a thermodynamic analysis of solar gasification of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) with H2O and CO2 gasifying agents was first performed to predict equilibrium product distribution. Subsequently, on-sun continuous solar gasification of EFB was experimentally carried out in a solar particle-fed gasifier to evaluate the influence of gasifying agent types (H2O and CO2), gasifying agent/EFB molar ratios (1.8–3.4), temperatures (1050–1350 °C), and to assess overall process feasibility and reliability. As a result, solar EFB gasification performed efficiently with both H2O and CO2 gasifying agents under continuous on-sun operation. Syngas product composition and gasification reaction rate strongly depended on gasifying agent type. Increasing temperature enhanced syngas yield and quality, and changed the CO/H2 mole ratio, especially in EFB + CO2 gasification. A gasifying agent/EFB molar ratio of 2.6 (slight excess of gasifying agents) and a temperature of 1300 °C were shown to be optimal for continuous solar EFB gasification. The maximum total syngas yield above 76 mmol/gdry_EFB, syngas lower heating value above 22 kJ/gdry_EFB, and energy upgrade factor above 1.37 were achieved from both EFB + H2O and EFB + CO2 gasification, which closely approached their theoretical equilibrium values. The maximum carbon conversion exceeding 93% and solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency up to 19.3% were achieved, demonstrating efficient EFB-to-synfuel conversion performance. Continuous solar EFB gasification with both H2O and CO2 was thus established to be a reliable process for EFB waste biomass valorization into high-quality and carbon-neutral synfuel.

The potential of Nypa Frutican as an energy source in Indonesia: A review

Nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) belongs to the Arecaceae family, covering 30% of over 4 million ha of mangrove forest in Indonesia. The most valuable part of nipa is the fruits for food, drink, handicrafts, and medicine, leaving empty fruit bunches as waste. The empty fruit bunch waste reaches 75% of the total weight of nipa fruit, producing approximately 6 Mt/ha or over 6 million Mt in a year. Nipa empty fruit bunches (EFB) are biomass containing 27.3% lignin, 36.1% cellulose, and 21.8% hemicellulose. Due to Indonesia’s increasing nipa fruit harvesting, managing and finding a suitable solution to overcome waste issues is essential. In the present review, nipa EFB’s physical and chemical properties were found suitable as a biomass energy source. Nipa’s EFB energy recovery was potentially generated from direct combustion, pyrolysis, and briquette making. The harvesting challenge and emission from direct combustion or pyrolysis process limit the nipa utilization. Education and technology dissemination is required for the coastal communities to assist in utilizing nipa.

Valorization of empty oil-palm fruit bunch waste for an efficient improvement of succinic acid production by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

Valorization of empty oil-palm fruit bunch waste for an efficient improvement of succinic acid production by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

Laccase production from Bacillus aestuarii KSK using Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste as a substrate and assessing their malachite green dye degradation.

The lignocellulosic waste, Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste (BFEFBW), was employed to produce laccase using Bacillus aestuarii KSK under solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions and to assess the efficiency of malachite green (MG) dye decolourization. Abiotic factors such as pH (5.0-9.0), temperature (25-45°C) and incubation time (24-96 h) were optimized using Response surface methodology-Box-Behenan Design (RSM-BBD) to exploit the laccase production. The anticipated model revealed that the highest laccase activity of 437 U/ml shows after 60 h of incubation at 35°C at pH7.0. The bacterial laccase was used to remove 89% of the MG dye in less time. The laccase from B. aestuarii KSK decolorizes the MG and thereby making it a suitable choice for wastewater treatment from industrial effluents. This study is the first report on the production of laccase from B. flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste as a substrate. Bacillus aestuarii KSK was isolated from the soil sample and used to produce laccase under SSF conditions. The bacterial laccase has the potential for industrial application in textile waste dye treatment.

Integration of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Isolated from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste into Bismuth Ferrite as Photocatalyst for Effective Anionic Dyes Degradation

Photocatalytic biomass valorization has proven to be a valuable approach for sustainably constructing value—added products from waste materials. The present study aimed to know about Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanoparticles combined into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) obtained from oil palm empty fruit bunch waste (OCMC) and used as a catalyst composite for the degradation of anionic dyes, specifically on methyl orange (MO) and congo red (CR). The parameter that affects the formation of OCMC, such as the degree of substitution (DS), depends upon the alkalization reaction time and NaOH concentrations. The highest DS was obtained at 1.562 and found at 60% NaOH with 9 h of alkalization, very close to that of the commercial CMC (CCMC) DS value. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that OCMC as a semi-crystalline phase and the tensile strength of OCMC film increased significantly from 0.11 MPa to 3.54 MPa as compared to CCMC. The comparative study on photocatalytic degradation of MO and CR using OCMC and CCMC reinforced with 0.8% BiFeO3 showed a minor difference in removal percentage. The efficiency removal for CCMC/BFO towards CR and MO was enhanced to 95.49% and 92.93% after a 3-h treatment, and a similar result was obtained in the case of OCMC/BiFeO3 at 92.50% for CR and 89.56% for MO, respectively. Nevertheless, it is interesting that OCMC film exhibits remarkable stability with an improvement in terms of tensile strength and stays more intact than that of CCMC.

Synergistic effect of microcrystalline cellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunch waste and tricresyl phosphate on the properties of polylactide composites

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) waste by integrated chemical treatments of delignification, bleaching, and acidic hydrolysis. The obtained MCC (OPMC) and tricresyl phosphate (TCP) were used as additives for polylactide (PLA) composites. The influences of OPMC and TCP contents, separately and in combination, were evaluated on the properties of the composites. Characterization studies confirmed the successful extraction of OPMC from OPEFB waste. With regard to the properties of the PLA composite, the appropriate content of OPMC should be 5 phr. The good distribution of OPMC in the polymer matrix changed the failure behavior of the composite from brittle to ductile. All the PLA composites with TCP and OPMC showed flame inhibition and retarded ignition. The synergistic effect of TCP and OPMC resulted in outstanding improvement of impact strength and flame retardancy of composites. The impact toughness of PT10M5 increased to about 218.4 % and 72.3 % that of neat PLA and PT0M5, respectively. Moreover, PT10M5 achieved V-0 rating with high LOI (38.5 %). All these characteristics promise extended applications for PLA composite in bio, circular, and green (BCG) economies and electronics industries.

PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH TANDAN KOSONG SAWIT (TKS) SEBAGAI MATERIAL ALTERNATIF DALAM PEMBUATAN BADAN WAHANA TERBANG TIPE FIXED WING ATHA MAPPER 2150

To improve the application and use value of Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) waste as a composite material, the research team conducted research related to the utilization OPEFB fiber as an alternative material to replace carbon fiber in the manufacture of fuselage of Unmaned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The low price of OPEFB, low of specific density and it’s abundant availability are the basis of research to apply it’s fiber as material of UAV fuselage. This research begins with the processing of OPEFB into fiber through an alkali treatment process. Furthermore, the process of maleated natural rubber as a mixture of resin matrix. Afterward, the fuselage is molded use hybrid fiberglass-OPEFB fiber and resin epoxy that has been mixed with natural rubber. Fuselage of UAV is also molded with material of hybrid fiberglass-fibercarbon. Based on mass measurements, the fuselage of hybrid fiberglass-OPEFB fiber material and the fuselage of hybrid fiberglass-carbon fiber material have a mass of 510 grams and 540 grams respectively. For deflection measurement, fuselage of hybrid fiberglass-OPEFB fiber material has a maximum deflection as 2.01 mm, while the fuselage of hybrid fiberglass-fibercarbon material has a maximum deflection as 1.19 mm. In statis impact test, the two fuselage are able to withstand shock load.

Verification of the Walkley Black Method Test for Determination of Organic Carbon Elements in Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Fertilizer

Verification of the organic carbon method on organic fertilizer from Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunches (TKKS) waste using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer has been carried out. The determination of this OPEFB fertilizer refers to the AOAC (2000) with the Walkley Black method. The results of the organic carbon test on OPEFB fertilizer show the correlation coefficient (r) value obtained is 1.0000, and the % relative standard deviation (RSD) value of 0.4022% means that the value is below 2/3 CV Horwitz of 4.7230. accuracy with a value of 106.99%. The method limit value (LOD) is 2.4531, and the quantization limit value (LOQ) is 8.1769. The instrument limit value (LOD) is 2.4990, and the quantification limit value (LOQ) is 8.3299; the test results indicate that it has complied with the conditions with acceptance. The test results for determining organic carbon in OPEFB fertilizer using the Walkley Black method with UV-Vis Spectrophotometer showed valid results, so the method could be used.

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Pretreatment with Benzotriazolium-Based Ionic Liquids for Cellulose Conversion to Glucose: Experiments with Computational Bibliometric Analysis

This study aims to utilize benzotriazolium salt-ionic liquids (ILs) as solvents in the oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) waste pretreatment along with bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer. Three ILs have been synthesized and tested as EFB solvents by a microwave-heating method. Those are organic salts of 1,3-methyl-octyl-1,2,3-benzotriazolium ([MOBzt]+) cation with three kinds of anions such as bromide ([Br]-), acetate ([CH3COO]-), and thiocyanate ([SCN]-). The bibliometric analysis showed that new research needs to be conducted to improve the development of research relating to biomass pretreatment. The highest solubility of EFB is in [MOBzt]CH3COO is about 7,5% w/w. The effect of anions on the ability to dissolve EFB is CH3COO-SCN-Br-. When subject to ILs pretreatment, EFB exhibited increased cellulose crystallinity, changed in the structure of cellulose I to cellulose II, reduced particle size, and decreased lignin content compared to untreated one, improving the glucose yield from enzymatic hydrolysis. The highest glucose yield (1,237 mg/mL) was obtained when the EFB was pretreated by [MOBzt]CH3COO with enzymatic hydrolysis for 24 hours. This research is expected to contribute to the development of new biomass pretreatment methods.

Co-fermentation involving Lysinibacillus sp. and Aspergillus flavus for simultaneous palm oil waste treatment and renewable biomass fuel production.

Biomass fuel is one of the renewable energy sources that can be produced by valorization of palm oil mill effluent (POME) and empty fruit bunch (EFB). POME and EFB are available abundantly in Malaysia and only small portion is utilized to produce other value-added products. The objective of this study is to: (1) utilize the wastes from agro-industrial sector especially palm oil wastes and bio-valorize into value-added product of biomass fuel with high CEV, and simultaneously (2) reduce the waste accumulated in the palm oil factory. In this study, co-fermentation of bacteria (Lysinibacillus sp.) and fungus (Aspergillus flavus) at 37 °C, 180 rpm for 5 days, followed by overnight oven-dry at 85 °C was conducted utilizing a mixture of POME and EFB with the ratio of 7:3 at laboratory scale. Three fermentation medium conditions were performed, namely: (1) Group 1: autoclaved POME and EFB without addition of any microorganisms, (2) Group 2: autoclaved POME and EFB with the addition of Lysinibacillus sp. LC 556247 and Aspergillus flavus, and (3) Group 3: POME and EFB as it is (non-sterile). Among all condition, Group 2 with co-fermentation evinced the highest calorific energy value (CEV) of 26.71 MJ/kg, highest biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal efficiency of 61.11%, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency at 48.47%, and total suspended solid (TSS) reduction of 37.12%. Overall, this study successfully utilized abundant POME and EFB waste and turn into value added product of renewable biomass fuel with high CEV percentage and simultaneously able to reduce abundant liquid waste.

Production of thermostable xylanase using Streptomyces thermocarboxydus ME742 and application in enzymatic conversion of xylan from oil palm empty fruit bunch to xylooligosaccharides

Empty fruit bunch (EFB), the largest amount of biomass from a palm oil mill, is a promising renewable source for many value-added products. This study aimed to utilize EFB for production of xylanase by Streptomyces thermocarboxydus ME742 and applied the enzyme to the production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from EFB derived xylan (EFB-xylan). The strain ME742 produced the maximum xylanase (473.21 ± 6.55 U/mL) in a medium containing 50 g/L EFB supplemented with 3.0 g/L peptone at 40 °C for 4 days. Xylanase ME742 was purified 23.68 fold with specificity of 1229 U/mg by acetone precipitation and DEAE-Sepharose chromatography . It was stable in a wide range of pH (4.0–9.5) and in elevated temperatures up to 55 °C. Xylanase ME742 effectively hydrolyzed EFB-xylan. HPLC analysis revealed that the hydrolysate was composed of xylose and XOS with degree of polymerization between 2 and 5 and xylobiose was the predominant product. The XOS yield ranging in 95.01–151.19 mg/g EFB-xylan was generated from enzymatic processing for 12–72 h. Interestingly, arabinosyl-xylooligosaccharides were also predicted to be produced from EFB-xylan. XOS mixture exhibited high antioxidant activity (71.36 ± 0.57%) against DPPH at 100 μg/mL concentration and moderate activity (45.18 ± 1.56%) against ABTS radical. These findings reveal the potential use of Streptomyces thermocarboxydus ME742 and xylanase produced in a sustainable bioprocess to add value of EFB waste. • This study constituted a sustainable bioprocess to enrich value of oil palm waste. • Empty fruit bunch (EFB) was used to produce xylanase and xylan that both further used in XOS production. • Purified xylanase ME742 has characteristics favorable for industrial use in XOS production. • Purified xylanase ME742 generated arabinosyl-XOS from EFB-xylan. • XOS mixture contained arabinosyl-XOS had high antioxidant activity against DPPH radical.

Synthesis of activated carbon from Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste and their application in chromium (VI) removal

ABSTRACT The present study emphasises that the synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste (BFEFBW) and enhances the biosorption of chromium (Cr(VI)). The biosorption process was improved with four parameters: BFEFBWAC concentration, Cr(VI) dose, pH, and sorption time route utilising response surface methodology-Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterise the BFEFBWAC before, and after-sorption of Cr(VI). The AC exhibits a porous structure with a variety of functional groups, according to the characterisation data. The ANOVA test was used to examine the experimental findings, which revealed that the regression model was acceptable. The maximum biosorption of Cr(VI) (89.35%) was achieved to be a BFEFBWAC of 8.0 g/L, Cr(VI) dose of 20 mg/L, pH 5.0, and a contact time of 120 min. The reusability of BFEFBWAC for Cr(VI) was examined for up to five cycles. It appears that BFEFBW-based AC has a substantial role in improving Cr(VI) removal from water.

PICKERING EMULSION TECHNOLOGY IN FABRICATE CELLULOSE FOAM FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH WASTE

PICKERING EMULSION TECHNOLOGY IN FABRICATE CELLULOSE FOAM FROM OILPALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH WASTE. Cellulose from the oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) waste can make a porous material. This study aims to make cellulose foam with Pickering emulsion technology used cellulose nanofiber as a Pickering agent. The mechanism of Pickering emulsion is learned from foamability and stability of foam in the presence of various concentrations of surfactant. The result showed that using Pickering emulsion technology only needed surfactant with a small concentration to improve foamability and stability. The addition of CNF indeed improved the stability and foamability with the Pickering effect. The stability test shows that the foam stabilized with CNF appeared to be relatively stable. In contrast to the CNF free system, the foams were collapse in three days tested. Structures of foam was characterized using an optical microscope and showed that the foam was composed into two- or three dimensional microstructures formed by gas bubble of wet foam in random orientations. This process generated the lightweight Cellulose foam from OPEFB waste, with a density of 0.07 g/cm3. Using Pickering emulsion technology to make cellulose foam can be one way to overcome OPEFB waste and this foam is potential for various applications.