Utilization Of Groundnut Husk In The Production Of Packaging Paper

ABSTRACT.

Utilization of groundnut husk in the production of packaging paper has just been completed and the paper was produced from Nigerian groundnut husk using Kraft’s process for the fiber digestion and hand mould for the paper production. This was done by varying the optimization process time by 30, 60 and 90 minutes and the process temperature by 50⁰C, 75⁰C, and 100^oC in a 3 x 3 factorial experimental design using groundnut husk as the raw material and chemicals such as Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) by Mayer and Baker, Sodium sulphide (Na₂S) by OEM manufacturers and Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) forming a solution of a total of 12.5% by weight solution. From this project report, it can be seen that at higher the temperatures and more the cooking time, the less the percentage fibre contained in the sample as it is shown on table 4.0 that the highest value for the percentage fibre occurred at 50⁰C and for 30minutes and the value decreases as the temperature and cooking time increased expect for some slight changes due to human error such as error in taking the cooking time, error in keeping the temperature constant throughout the cooking time etc. during the conduction of experiment. Furthermore, from table 4.1 it can be deduced that paper was produced at a higher temperature of 100⁰C and the paper held properly although there was a less percentage fibre yield. And hence it can be concluded that at a cooking temperature of 100⁰C and above paper can be produced from groundnut husk using Kraft’s process. Therefore, for the successful completion of this project topic, it can be concluded that the production of paper locally from groundnut husk is possible using Kraft’s process and should be further researched into due to its importance as stated in this practical report at the Justification part.

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE………………………………………………………………………………………i

DECLARATION…………………………………………………………………………………ii

CERTIFICATION………………………………………………………………………………..iii

DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………………………iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENT………………………………………………………………………….v

ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………….vi

TABLE OF CONTENT.………………………………………………………………………. vii

LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………………………. xi

LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………………ix

INTERPRETATION…………………………………………………………………………….X

CHAPTER ONE…………………………………………………………………………………1

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….1

1.1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY…………………………………….…………………………1

1.2. PROBLEM STATEMENT……….………………………………………………………….2

1.3. AIM AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………………………2

1.4. SCOPE OF STUDY…………………………………………………………………………2

1.5. JUSTIFICATION……………………………………………………………………………3

CHAPTER TWO…………………………………………………………………………………4

LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………………………………….4

2.1. HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF PAPER…………………………………………………4

2.2. DISCOVERY OF PAPER……………………………………………………………………5

2.3. PAPER USAGE………………………………………………………………………………5

2.4. RAW MATERIALS FOR MAKING PAPER……………………………………………….5

2.4.1. PULP……………………………………………………………………………….6

2.4.1.1. WOOD PULP………………………………………………………………….…6

2.4.1.2. NON-WOOD PULP………………………………………………………………6

2.4.1.3. RECYCLED PAPER PULP………………………………………………………7

2.5. PULPING…………………………………………………………………………………….7

2.5.1. MACHANICAL PULPING……………………………………………………….7

2.5.2. THERMO MECHANICAL PULPING…………………………………………….7

2.5.3. CHEMICAL PULPING…………………………………………………………….7

2.6. ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS FOR MAKING PAPER……………………………………8

2.6.1. ECO-FRIENDLY PAPER MAKING RAW MATERIALS……………………….8

2.6.2. GROUNDNUT HUSK AS AN ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS………………….8

2.6.3. GROUNDNUT…………………………………………………………………….8

2.6.4. GROUNDNUT HUSKS……………………………………………………………9

2.7. PRODUCTION OF PULP FROM GROUNDNUT HUSK…………………………………10

2.7.1. TERMINOLOGIES USED……………………………………………………….11

METHODS FOR PAPER PRODUCTION…………………………………………………11

2.8.0 MANUAL/HAND MAKING PAPER PRODUCTION………………….……….11

2.8.1. PAPER TYPES……………………………………………………………………12

2.8.2. USES OF PAPER…………………………………………………………………13

CHAPTER THREE…………………………………………………………………………..…14

3.1. MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS………………………………………………………14

3.1.1. RAW MATERIALS………………………………………………………………14

3.1.2. CHEMICALS USED………………………………………………………………14

3.2. PROCEDURES…………………………………………………………………………….14

3.3. CONSTRUCTION OF PAPER DECKLE AND MOULD…………………………………15

3.4. PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINATION OF PERCENTAGE FIBRE CONTENTS……16

CHAPTER FOUR…………………………………………………………………………….19

RESULT AND DISCUSSION……………………………………………………….19

4.1 DETERMINATION OF PERCENTAGE CRUDE FIBRE……………………….20

CHAPTER FIVE…………………………………………………………………………………21

CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………….21

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………….23

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 2.4: A picture of Groundnut shell………………….………………………………….10

FIGURE 2.6: A picture of Pulp………………….……………………………………………….10

FIGURE 2.8: Uncoated Paper Pulp………………………….………………………………….10

FIGURE 2.8.1: Coated Paper Pulp…………………………….……………………………….10

FIGURE 3.3: Process Flow Diagram……………………………………….……………………16

FIGURE 3.5: Autoclaving the samples…………….……………………………………………17

FIGURE 3.5.1: Deckle and Mould……………………………………………………………………18

FIGURE 3.5.2: ASTM Sieve……………………………………………………………………18

FIGURE 3.5.3: Paper that could not hold………………………………………………………21

FIGURE 3.5.4: Successful Packaging paper………….…………………………………………21

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 3.3: Experimental Runs…………………….………………………………………….15

TABLE 4.1: Effects of Extraction Temperature and Time on Percentage Fibre Recovered….26

TABLE 4.2: Effect of Extraction Temperature and Time on Percentage Crude Fibre.  .………20

                                                           CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                      INTRODUCTION.

1.1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal) is a significant crop grown in Nigeria’s arid and semi-arid regions and has multiple uses, including its nut, oil, and vegetative residue. The use of groundnut meal is becoming more widespread as a protein supplement for children with protein malnutrition and a dietary supplement for those on protein-poor cereal-based diets. It is the 13th most significant food crop globally and the 4th largest source of edible oil, with Nigeria being the largest producer of peanuts in Africa, producing an estimated 3 million metric tons. Groundnut production in Nigeria is centered in the northern states of Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Bauchi, Bornu, and Adamawa.

Groundnut plants improve soil nutrients due to the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. All parts of the groundnut plant have commercial value, with the shells having great potential as fuel, filler in cattle feed, hard particleboard, activated carbon, and more. The fibers of the groundnut shell have good physical strength properties, and its pentosan content and gums make it a suitable source for paper production.

The increasing demand for paper products has led to a search for alternative fibrous raw materials, with annual crops and agricultural residues offering possibilities to supplement wood as a raw material source. However, some limitations such as seasonal variations, storage spoilage, and process efficiency or product performance issues have hindered the use of non-wood materials. Groundnut husks offer a well-suited alternative as they are available as waste products from shelling operations at locally concentrated sites and almost year-round. Deforestation, responsible for 12% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, is a significant concern, and finding alternatives to wood for pulp production is imperative. Agricultural residues such as groundnut husks, with their unique cellular arrangements and composition, have great potential for use in the production of composites, fuel, textiles, and paper. Ramgopal (2016) lists groundnut husks as a viable agricultural residue for pulp production due to their substantial cellulose content, which is a primary raw material for pulp production. The husks have the potential to complement conventional wood supplies, particularly in agriculture-dependent countries like Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

• PROBLEM STATEMENT.

The demand for paper products has been growing rapidly, leading to depletion of traditional raw material sources such as wood and its by-products. This excessive harvesting of trees has a negative impact on the ecosystem, causing desertification and depletion of the ozone layer. To address this, it is necessary to adopt alternative, sustainable sources for paper production. One such material is groundnut husk, which is readily available and locally generated in countries dependent on agriculture, such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe. By utilizing this agricultural residue, the paper industry can meet its demands while also promoting ecological balance.[6]

1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.

The aim of this research is to;

• Produce a packaging paper from groundnut husk.

The specific objectives are;

1. Production of cellulosic pulp from groundnut husk using Kraft’s process
2. Production of a packaging paper from the pulp mixture using hand mould.
3. Mechanical characterization of the packaging sheet.

1.4. SCOPE OF STUDY.

This work looks at the utilization of Groundnut Husk in North central zone of Nigeria in the production of packaging papers using Mechanical processing, it will be tested for impact, tension and compression.

Using groundnut shells to make packaging paper is a sustainable and cost-effective Option.

Groundnut shells are a waste product of the groundnut industry and using them to make packaging Paper reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Additionally, Groundnut shells are a renewable resource, which means they can be replenished over time. Making packaging paper from groundnut shells also requires less energy and resources than using wood, which makes it a more environmentally friendly option, it will be a source of income for farmers also. It will also help in creating jobs for youths.

Additionally, using groundnut shells to make packaging Paper can help support the groundnut industry and provide an additional source of income for Farmers.

Overall, using groundnut shells to make packaging paper is a smart and sustainable choice.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0.                                                         CONCLUSION.

This project which is aimed at production of packaging paper from groundnut husk has just been carried out.  This particular project topic was embarked based on the fact that the traditional raw material for the production of paper that is tree has so many evident side effects one of which is the ever increasing danger of desertification and the depletion of the ozone layer amongst others so as to convert wastes into useful products and also provide job opportunities for the unemployed individuals.

In carrying out this research, Kraft’s method was utilized and from the result presented it can be seen from table 4.2 that the sample with the highest percentage of crude (%) are both the 50⁰C – 30minutes and 50⁰C – 90minutes with the percentage of crude (%) of 35.05% and 31.95% respectively the process temperature most suitable for the production of paper as according to the results presented in Table 4.2 is 100⁰C and higher.

Furthermore, the success made from this research makes it evident that it is possible to produce paper from groundnut husk thereby providing a better alternative raw material for the production of paper at a cheaper and cleaner rate hence creating a platform for the pulp industry and a fertile ground for future works.

5.1.                                             RECOMMENDATIONS

Due to the successful outcome of this project, it is recommended that more research be carried out on it so as to further improve it and help enhance mass participation in converting wastes into useful products.