Microwave-Assisted Soda Pulping of the Banana Pseudo Stem (Musa Cavendish) for Pulp and Paper Production: Production, Characterization, and Optimization

Abstract

This work investigates microwave soda pulping of the banana pseudo stem (Musa Cavendish), and process parameter optimization, morphological, chemical, and FTIR analysis. Response surface methodology, Box–Behnken designs were applied to investigate and find optimal microwave-assisted Soda pulping of the banana pseudo stem was carried out under different conditions. The influence of soda concentration (10, 12.5, and 15%), cooking temperature, (130,140, and 150 °C), and cooking time (15, 25, and 35 minutes) on the pulp yield and kappa number are studied. The optimal pulping (Active alkali 12.5%, at 140 °C for 25 minutes) of pulp yields about 37.2%, and a kappa number of 20.3% is obtained. The pulp was then made into 60 g/m 2 laboratory scale papers and their mechanical and surface properties were assessed. The results revealed that tensile index, tearing index, smoothness, and porosity was 79 Nm/g,19.1 mN.m 2 /g, 500-530µm, and 50 sec/100ml air respectively. The morphological analysis showed that the banana pseudo stem has a long fiber length (1750μm), tinny cell wall thickness (9.7μm), large lumen diameter (22.15μm), and thick fiber width (35.361μm) compared to hardwoods, agricultural residues, and bagasse. The chemical analysis revealed that the banana pseudo stem chemical composition includes cellulose (44.93%), hemicellulose (23.37 %), lignin (11.1%), ash (8.1%), and extractives (10.8%) were determined. This study indicates that high mechanical strength and good surface properties paper can be produced from banana pseudo stem pulp.