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Kinetic Study On Hydrolysis Of Cellulose (Saw-Dust)

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The title “Kinetic Study on Hydrolysis of Cellulose (Saw-Dust)” encompasses a detailed investigation into the intricate process of breaking down cellulose derived from sawdust. This study involves a meticulous examination of the reaction kinetics involved in the hydrolysis, focusing on the rates and mechanisms of cellulose decomposition. The cellulose hydrolysis, a complex and dynamic process, plays a crucial role in various industrial applications, including biofuel production and waste utilization. By delving into the intricacies of this chemical transformation, researchers aim to unravel the factors influencing the reaction rates and pathways, shedding light on the optimization of cellulose conversion for sustainable and efficient resource utilization. The study’s significance lies in its contribution to the understanding of cellulose hydrolysis kinetics, providing valuable insights for advancing eco-friendly and economically viable technologies.

ABSTRACT

This research project studied on the kinetics of hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose.
The steps employed to achieve this project involved extraction of cellulose from
sawdust and subsequently, hydrolysis of starch to simple sugar. This was followed
by glucose analysis. Different experiments were conducted during acid hydrolysis
to study the various acids on the hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose. The saw-dust
was extracted from the wood by grinding using saw. The process used in the
hydrolysis was acid hydrolysis in which two major inorganic acids (Hydrochloric
and Sulfuric) were used at constant temperature of 80oC. During this experiment, it
was observed that Hydrochloric acid hydrolyzed most, followed by Sulphuric acid.
Finally, sugar analysis was carried out to determine the acid with the highest yield
of glucose and the best acid for the hydrolysis. It was noticed that the yield of
glucose was relatively high from HCl at 1.280% concentration, followed by H2SO4
at 0.940%. It was also seen from the graph that the absorbance yield increases as
the glucose concentrations increases in terms of HCl. Therefore, the best acid for
acid for acid hydrolysis is HCl.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page
Caritas logo
Dedication
Certification
Acknowledgment
Approval page
Abstract
Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Sources of cellulose 2
1.3 Hydrolysis 3
1.4 Statement of the problem 4
1.5 Relevance of the study 5
1.6 Objective and scope of the study 6

CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Literature review 7
2.2 History of cellulose 11
2.3 Occurences 12
2.4 Energy store of plants 13
2.5 Biosynthesis of cellulose 14
2.6 Structures of cellulose 15
2.7 Classifications of cellulose 16
2.7.1 Cellulose Nitrate 17
2.7.2 Cellulose Acetate 18
2.7.3 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate 19
2.7.4 Ethyl cellulose 20
2.7.5 Methyl cellulose 20
2.7.6 Carboxy Methyl cellulose 21
2.8 Hemicellulose 23
2.9 Breakdown (cellulolysis) 23
2.10 Functions of cellulose 24
2.11 Uses of sugar 25
2.12 Functions of sugar 27
2.13 Properties of cellulose 28
2.14 Methods of producing glucose from cellulose 29

CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Methodology 30
3.1 Materials and Equipment 30
3.1.1 Apparatus 30
3.2 Reagents 31
3.2.1 Hydrolysis (Acid hydrolysis) 32
3.2.2 Calorimetric Analysis of Glucose (using Benedict‟s solution) 33

CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Results 35
4.2 Tables 36
4.3 Discussions 39

CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Conclusion 41
5.2 Recommendation 42
References 43
Appendix I 45
Appendix II 47
List of Tables 49
List of figure 49

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Cellulose is a naturally occurring polymeric material containing thousands of glucose-
like rings each of which contain three alcoholic OH groups. Its general formula is
represented as (C6H10O5 )n. The OH-groups present in cellulose can be esterified or
etherified, the most important cellulose derivatives are the esters. Cellulose is the name
given to a long chain of atoms consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen arranged in a
particular manner. Cellulose is found in nature in almost all forms of plant life, and
especially in cotton and wood. A cellulose molecule is made up of large number of
glucose units linked together by oxygen atom. Each glucose unit contains three(3)
Hydroxyl groups, the hydroxyl groups present at carbon-6 is primary, while two other
hydroxyl are secondary. Cellulose is the most abundant organic chemical on Earth more
than 50% of the carbon in plants occurs in the cellulose of stems and leaves. Wood is
largely cellulose, and cotton is more than 90% cellulose. It is a major constituent of plant
cell walls that provides strength and rigidity and presents the swelling of the cell and
rupture of the plasma membrane that might result when osmotic conditions favor water
entry into the cell. Cellulose is a fibrous, tough, water-insoluble substances, it can be seen
in cell walls of plants, particularly in stalks, stems, trunks and all woody portions of the
plant.
Cellulose is polymorphic, i.e there are a number of different crystalline forms that reflect
the history of the molecule. It is almost impossible to describe cellulose chemistry and
biochemistry without referring to those different forms. Cellulases are gotten from
cellulose, cellulose is also found in protozoa in the gut of insects such as termites. Very
strong acids can also degrade cellulose, the human digestive system has little effect on
cellulose. The word cellulose means β-1,4-D-glucan, regardless of source because of the
importance of cellulose and difficulty in unraveling its secrets regarding structure,
biosynthesis, chemistry, and other aspects, several societies are dedicated to cellulose,
lignin, and related molecules.

1.2 SOURCES OF CELLULOSE
Cellulose for industrial conversion comes from wood and scores of minor sources such as
kenaf paper and rayon are now made mostly from wood pulp. cotton rings were
historically important for paper making, and cotton linters (short fibres are used to spin
yams) are now used in high quality writing and currency papers.
Cellulose forms very tightly packed crystallites, these crystals are sometimes so tight that
neither water nor enzymes can penetrate them; cellulose consists of two cellulose
molecules;
Crystalline and amorphous cellulose. The crystalline cellulose is insoluble because of the
inability of water to penetrate cellulose, On the other hand amorphous cellulose allows
the penetration of endogluconase, another subgroup of cellulose that catalyze the
hydrolysis of internal bonds. The natural consequences of this difference in the
crystalline structure is that the hydrolysis rate is much faster for amorphous cellulose than
crystalline cellulose.
Some cellulose comes from the hairs (trichomes) on seeds, example: cotton, kapo and
milk weed. A commercial bacterial cellulose product (cellulon) was introduced by
Weyerhaeuser(22) for use in foods, the product is called primacel and is available from
Nutrasweet kelco. Recently, cellulose from sugar belt pulp and from citrus pulp has
aroused interest for use as a fat substitute.

1.3 HYDROLYSIS
Hydrolysis of cellulose is the process of breaking the glucosidic bonds that holds the
glucose basic units together to form a large cellulose molecule, it is a term used to
describe the overall process where cellulose is converted into various sweeteners.
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which one or more water molecules are split into
hydrogen and hydroxide ions, which may go to participate in further reactions.

1.4 SUGAR
Sugars (also called saccharides) are compounds containing an aldehyde or ketone
group and two or more hydroxyl groups. Sugar can also a sweet crystalline substance
obtained from sugar-cane and sugar beet. It includes sucrose, glucose and fructose.

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The clamour for the diversification of Nigerian economy through low quality products
has motivated researchers to explore the numerous domestic, industrial and economic
importance of one Nigeria`s major product (cellulose) which forms the bedrock of this
project.
Sugar is a commodity of high demand for both domestic and industrial applications on
daily basis in homes, small and medium scale industries e.t.c. this is why Nigeria
government spends huge sums of money on importation of sugar and sugar products to
meet the demand of citizens. Among the many processes of sugar production, is acid
hydrolysis of (cellulose) has proved to be a process which encourages the production of
high quality with minimum skill and materials. This work is therefore an effort to
encourage industrialists, researchers, and students to carry out more intensive studies on
production of sugar from cellulose for production of sugar and enhanced economic
resources for the nation.

1.6 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
Nigeria is the largest producer of cellulose for which paper wood is made. A large
percentage of produced cellulose is consumed as paper, textiles, newspaper and
containers in form of writing, reading e.t.c.
The method of acid hydrolysis of cellulose:
 It creates job opportunities, hence, reducing unemployment in the country.
 It helps to know the best acid for the hydrolysis of cellulose.
 It establishes the industries for government to contribute immersely towards the
country economy.
 With the methods of glucose and cellulose production, the cost of glucose and
cellulose will reduce.
 It produces research workdone on the digestion of cellulose into glucose which I
will engage on it after my graduation.

1.7 OBJECTIVES.
The research project covers the processes, operations and pathways involved in the Acid
hydrolysis of cellulose to produce (glucose) sugar. The research study aims at:

 Quantifying and calculating the yield of glucose from the hydrolysis of cellulose
using two different acids.
 The hydrolysis of cellulose into sugar using different concentration of hydrochloric
acid and sulphuric acid.

SIMILAR PROJECT TOPICS:
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MORE DESCRIPTION:

Kinetic Study On Hydrolysis Of Cellulose (Saw-Dust):

Studying the kinetic process of cellulose hydrolysis, especially using sawdust as a cellulose source, is a complex and multifaceted task. Cellulose is a linear polymer of glucose units linked together by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Its hydrolysis involves breaking these bonds to release individual glucose molecules. This process is of great interest in various fields, including biofuel production, waste management, and sustainable chemistry. Below is a general outline of how you might approach a kinetic study on the hydrolysis of cellulose from sawdust:

1. Sample Preparation:

Collect and prepare sawdust as your cellulose source. Ensure it is clean and free from contaminants.
Determine the cellulose content in your sawdust sample. Techniques like acid detergent fiber (ADF) analysis or TAPPI method T222 om-11 can be used.

2. Hydrolysis Method:

Select an appropriate hydrolysis method. Acid and enzymatic hydrolysis are the most common approaches.
Acid Hydrolysis: Use strong acids like sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. Perform hydrolysis under controlled conditions of temperature, pressure, and acid concentration.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis: Employ cellulase enzymes that specifically break down cellulose. Optimize the enzyme concentration and reaction conditions.

3. Reaction Conditions:

Establish a set of reaction conditions to control variables such as temperature, pH, and reaction time. These conditions may vary depending on the chosen hydrolysis method.

4. Sampling:

Take samples at regular intervals during the hydrolysis process to monitor the extent of cellulose conversion.
Quench the reaction by cooling or adding a neutralizing solution to stop the hydrolysis.

5. Analytical Techniques:

Analyze the samples to quantify the concentration of glucose or reducing sugars produced during hydrolysis. Common methods include HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) or UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Determine the cellulose conversion over time.

6. Kinetic Modeling:

Fit your experimental data to kinetic models to determine the rate constants and reaction order. The most common model for cellulose hydrolysis is the pseudo-first-order kinetic model.
Modify the kinetic model as needed to account for any complexities in your system.

7. Parameter Optimization:

Experiment with different reaction conditions to optimize the hydrolysis process, aiming for higher yields or faster reaction rates.

8. Data Analysis:

Analyze the kinetic parameters obtained from your modeling, such as rate constants and activation energies.
Assess the feasibility and efficiency of cellulose hydrolysis for your specific application.

9. Safety Considerations:

Follow safety guidelines when working with strong acids or enzymes.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment and safety measures.

10. Reporting:

Document your experimental procedure, results, and conclusions.
Publish your findings in a research paper or report to share your knowledge with the scientific community.

Keep in mind that cellulose hydrolysis is a complex process influenced by various factors, and conducting a kinetic study will help you better understand its behavior and optimize it for practical applications. The choice of hydrolysis method and conditions may significantly impact the results, so careful experimentation and analysis are essential.