Development of a Delignification for Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches using Microwave Assitance for Lignin Removal Efficiency

Abstract

Lignin content in TKKS needs to be removed by delignification. Microwave delignification process can improve the pre-treatment process increases cellulose content and accelerates delignification. Microwave can overcome the shortcomings of conventional heating, because it provides intensive, homogeneous and efficient energy, can reach high temperatures in a short time. The purpose was to determine results of delignification TKKS based on microwave watt parameters, delignification time and solid liquid ratio. It began with preparation of TKKS including washing and size reduction. Then delignification using microwave and NaOH solvent. The results of the delignification were analyzed using the NREL method, the components analyzed were ash content, lignin content using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer and cellulose hemicellulose content using HPLC. The results obtained were the best lignin removal and cellulose content obtained in the R2 experiment with variations in conditions, namely 300 watts of microwave power, 30 minutes of delignification time, and a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20 capable of degrading lignin by 57.58% and leaving a lignin content of 19.85% and a cellulose content of 68.83%. Best hemicellulose content was obtained in the R10 experiment of 9.86% with a microwave power of 100 watts, a time of 15 minutes and a solid-liquid ratio of 1:15. Best delignification time using a microwave was obtained at 35 minutes with a remaining lignin content of 19.51%. Best microwave power for delignification was obtained at 300 watts, ratio 1:20 w/v for 45 minutes, capable of degrading lignin by 53.51% so that the remaining lignin content was 21.75%.