Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


UTILIZATION OF COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA L.) HUSKS FIBRE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOETHANOL

Adepoju, T. F.
Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering, Akwa-Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria. P.M.B 1167, Uyo, Nigeria

Emenka, B.
Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering, Akwa-Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria. P.M.B 1167, Uyo, Nigeria

Ekwere, O. B.
Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering, Akwa-Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria. P.M.B 1167, Uyo, Nigeria

Akwayo, I. J.
Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering, Akwa-Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria. P.M.B 1167, Uyo, Nigeria



ABSTRACT

In this study, coconut fiber was utilized as a raw material to produce bioethanol. The fibre was pretreated of to reduce lignin content, hydrolysis of fibre using acid and fermentation of the sugar substrate using Saccharomyces cerevisae were carried out. Alkaline pretreatment was carried out using 5% NaOH solution to treat the fibre at 121°C in an autoclave. After pretreatment, the fibre was washed and the pH was adjusted to 7. Hydrolysis was carried out using different acid concentration from 0.5 - 3.5 M to produced glucose. After hydrolysis, the pH of the filtrate was adjusted to the optimum value of fermentation pH within the range of 4.5-5.0. Using the yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisae) the fermentation process was carried out for contact time of 2, 4, 6 and 8 days to produce ethanol. To separate the ethanol product from the broth, simple distillation was used, analysis of the product sample showed that the concentration of the acid used during the hydrolysis process actually affected the amount of glucose produced for subsequent fermentation to bioethanol. The highest yield of ethanol which was 3% of the total weight of fibre used was obtained from the substrate produced using 2.5 M of acid and fermented for 6 days.


Keywords: Agro-waste, Coconut Fiber, Bioethanol, Pretreatment, Hydrolysis, Fermentation


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Published
Thursday, December 27, 2018

Issue
Vol. 4 No. 2, DEC 2018

Article Section
GENERAL

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