Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) was developed from Durio zibethinus (durian) husk using urea formaldehyde (UF) as binder. The output will be applied as an automotive panel, realigning the conventional application of MDFs.Fibers were recovered from the husk, the undersize of 10 mesh screen was used for board production. The optimal conditions were determined by different mixing ratios of UF with water and varying the pressing pressure.The undersized fibers and optimized board were characterized in terms of surface morphology. Moreover, the mechanical properties of fiberboards were also studied. Results showed that fiberboard was optimal at a press pressure of 640 kPa. It yielded an internal bond (IB) of 2.85±0.43 MPa, modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 3008±228.69 MPa, and modulus of rupture (MOR) of 22.25±2.61 MPa. These were compared against properties of commercial MDF based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications (IB≥0.6 MPa, MOE≥2500 MPa, and MOR≥22 MPa). Hence, these results proved that the optimized fiberboard has high potential for commercial application in the automotive industry.

This research focuses on purifying the biodiesel provided by the Davao City Biodiesel Plant using a modified fractional distillation. The researchers considered six variables to determine raw and purified biodiesel properties and characteristics: density, kinematic viscosity, flashpoint, fire point, soap content (NaOH and KOH), and water content. The experimentation results were verified using ASTM D6751 – Standards Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100). For the purified biodiesel, an increase in flashpoint and fire point temperatures has been observed using the modified process, thus exceeding the standard limit. Although it affects biodiesel quality, an increase in flashpoints and fire points may be better for fuel handling, transportation, and storage safety reasons. These barely influence the overall performance of biodiesel. In conclusion, the modified process improved the quality of the raw biodiesel from 50% to 83% of the variables' set standard with the optimum conditions of 3.5 inHg at 2 hours and 2.5 inHg at 1 hour.

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) was developed from Durio zibethinus (durian) husk using urea formaldehyde (UF) as a binder. The output will be applied as an automotive panel, realigning the conventional application of MDFs. Fiberboards were prepared at varying mixing ratios and pressing pressure to determine the optimal conditions. The fibers and optimized fiberboard were characterized in terms of surface morphology, elemental analysis, FT-IR analysis, and thermal stability. Moreover, the physical and mechanical properties of fiberboard were also studied. Results showed that the fiberboard was optimized at a 1:4 fiber-to-resin ratio by mass and press pressure of 640 kPa. It has a density of 0.71 g/cm3, thickness swelling (TS) of 3.33%, water absorption (WA) of 62.44%, internal bond (IB) of 2.85 MPa, modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 3008.06 MPa, and modulus of rupture (MOR) of 22.25 MPa. These were compared against properties of commercial MDF based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications (0.5≤D≤1, TS≤15%, IB≥0.6 MPa, MOE≥2500 MPa, and MOR≥22 MPa). Based on the results, the optimized fiberboard demonstrated high potential for commercial application in the automotive industries.