Parametric study on the production of silica gel from the ash of the outer layer of the culm of a native bamboo kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana J.A. & J.H. Schultes)
Date
12-2014
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Major Course
Major in Pulp and Paper Technology
College
College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)
Adviser/Committee Chair
Ramon A. Razal
Abstract
The projected increase in demand for bamboo products and advancement of the bamboo pulping industry in the succeeding year may result to the production of large amounts of bamboo skin wastes. It is highly possible that these wastes will be used as fuel in bamboo processing industries which will result to the generation of ash that is rich in silica. Bambusa blumeana is a bamboo species commonly used for pulp production due to its relatively high cellulose content and good fiber dimensions. Based on energy dispersive X-ray analysis, the silica content of Bambusa blumeana skin was approximately 2.41% (dry weight basis). This study focused on recovering the silica from Bambusa blumeanaash in the form of silica gels A2k factorial experiment was done to evaluate the effects of silica extraction parameters namely, NaOH concentration (1.0 N and 3.0 N), reaction time (1 h and 3 H) and gelling pH (pH4 and pH7). on the yield of silica gel. Statistical analyses show that all factors and their interactions have [positive effects on the yield of silica gel however, only the main effect of NaOH concentration was found significant (a=0.05). The moisture adsorption capacities of the produced silica gels were tested and were found to be higher than that of commercial silica gel. However, the purity of the silica gels only ranged from 67.68% to 72.76%. The product will be a reasonable alternative to commercial silica gel if the silica extraction process is optimized and the product purity is further improved.
Language
English
Location
UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)
Call Number
LG 993.5 2014 E62 /S83
Recommended Citation
Suba, Kim M., "Parametric study on the production of silica gel from the ash of the outer layer of the culm of a native bamboo kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana J.A. & J.H. Schultes)" (2014). Undergraduate Theses. 3846.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/etd-undergrad/3846
Document Type
Thesis