+44 1625708989The optimization of biopolyol synthesis from liquefaction of rice straw using response surface method
Author(s): Edy Purwanto*, Joko Sutrisno, Rakhel Apriliana and Kevin Monthiego HoraxPolyol has been widely used as a raw material for polyurethane production which has many applications in daily life such as foam synthesis, thermoset, thermoplastic and coating materials. In general, polyol derived from petroleum based product. As the limiting amount of polyol derived from petroleum and the demand of polyol is increasing, effort is needed to find out alternative raw materials in particular potential feedstock comes from agricultural waste. However, there are limited studies focused on the use of rice straw as material for synthesis of biopolyol. Rice straw is very potential raw material for synthesis of biopolyol as it contains lignocellulose hence through liquefaction process will produce biopolyol. Response surface method was performed to determine the optimal operating condition for the liquefaction process of rice straw indicated by high content of hydroxyl group. The effect of key independent variables of liquefaction temperature, reaction time, concentration of biomass and catalyst on the hydroxyl value of product was quantified. The liquefaction process was performed in a batch reactor equipped with thermometer and reflux condenser using glycerol as a solvent and reactant. A central composite design with four independent variables and one response function was applied to determine the influence of independent variables. The concentration of biomass and acid catalyst has significant effect on the hydroxyl value of biopolyol product. The hydroxyl value is a linear function of biomass and catalyst concentration. The optimal operating condition was achieved at a temperature of 60oC, reaction time of 60 minutes, 3% of biomass concentration and 0.5% of acid catalyst concentration. The viscosities of biopolyol obtained are in the range of 217.5 – 727.5 cP.
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