International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM) Volume 3, Issue 5 May 2021, pp: 01-12 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252 DOI: 10.35629/5252-03050112 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 1 Soda-AQ Pulping of Woody Petiolesof OilPalm Fronds (ElaeisGuineensis): DeterminationofPaper- making Potentialsand Optimum Pulping Conditions Henry Okwudili Chibudike 1 , Eze Mgbachiuzo 1 ,Nelly Acha Ndukwe 2 , Nkemdilim Ifeanyi Obi 3 , Olubamike Adetutu Adeyoju 4 and Eunice Chinedum Chibudike 5 1 Chemical, Fiber and Environmental Technology Department, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, F.I.I.R.O., Lagos-Nigeria 2 Department of Chemical Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, Mountain Top University, Magoki, Ogun State, Lagos-Nigeria 3 Production, Analytical and Laboratory Management, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, F.I.I.R.O., Lagos-Nigeria 4 Planning, Technology Transfer and Information Management, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, F.I.I.R.O., Lagos-Nigeria --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted: 01-05-2021 Revised: 09-05-2021 Accepted: 10-05-2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ABSTRACT:Comparative assessment of physico- chemical characteristics, anatomic properties and economic relevance of Oil Palm Fronds (woody petioles) to the pulp and paper industry was investigated. Sample preparation was conducted in accordance with TAPPI Standard T12 – OS – 75, which specifies that samples be grinded to a fine particle size to permeate 0.4mm screen and retained on a 0.6mm screen. The Moisture content, Lignin, Extractives, Alpha cellulose, Ash content and fiber dimensions were investigated. The pulping investigation had four (4) factors at three (3) different levels each: Factor 1, cooking temperature (150, 160 and 170 o C) ; Factor 2, cooking time (60, 90 and 120minutes);Factor 3, liquor concentration (10%, 15% and 20% NaOH charge); and Factor 4, anthraquinone concentration (0.00%, 0.25% and 0.50%). The experimental design had 3×3×3×3 i.e., 81 pulping scenarios. Pulping Operation was subsequently carried out by the Soda-AQ Process which resulted in the production of pulp and paper samples. Pulp Yields was in the range of 29% to 47.99%calculated on oven dry (O.D) basis. The resultant pulps obtained from the cooking operation had very good feel, and exhibited fairly bright color, with slightly slow tendency to felt, thereby making drainage and consequent paper making time short. Over-all parameter achieved asserts that oil palm fronds (woody petioles) have a promising future (when used in blend with long fiber pulp) in substituting wood in the pulp, paper and fiber- board industry. Keywords: Oil palm frond (Woody petiole), Lignin, Tappi standards, kappa number, Pulp screened yield, Soda-AQ, Oven dried (O.D.) I. INTRODUCTION As the importance of paper extends from the home as toiletries, government and schools/academic institutions as writing and printing materials, and in the industries as wrapping/packing materials, it becomes necessary to study by research to discover ways of converting waste materials to pulp and paper in order to meet the growing requirement as well as reduce the cost of paper materials in Nigeria, hence, the extensive physico-chemical analysis on oil palm wastes (Chibudike, 2011). The Oil Palm is a major source of vegetable oil, ranking next to coconut in importance. Palm Oil become known to the western world when Portuguese explorers sailed south and eastward around the hump of Africa. According to the Commonwealth Economic Committee (1956), a total of 845,000 m. tons of palm kernels and 664,000 m. tons of oil was produced in the world in 1955, with West Africa supplying the bulk. About 50% of the kernels, 421,000 m. tons, came from Nigeria alone. The chemical constituents of Oil palm wastes are carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, ash (largely silica). They are composed of cellulose; other carbohydrates present are starch, sugar, and lignin, which act as an adhesive for cellulose (FAO. 2009)