Browsing by Author "Kamoga, Omar L. M."

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    Characterisation And Evaluation Of Pulp And Paper From Selected Ugandan Grasses For Paper Industry
    (Cellulose Chemistry and Technology, 2016) Kamoga, Omar L. M.; Kirabira, J. B.; Byaruhanga, J. K.; Godiyal, R. D.; Anupam, Kumar
    Non-wood fibrous materials and recycled fibres offer an opportunity to decrease or replace the use of wood fibres in the production of pulp and paper in countries with insufficient forest resources. The aim of this study was to characterise and evaluate the pulp and paper derived from four Ugandan grasses, namely Cymbopogon nardus, Paspalum notatum, Saccharum officinarum, and Digitaria scalarum, obtained using Soda-AQ and Kraft pulping methods for their potential use in the paper industry. The fibre morphology, as well as the physical properties, of both pulp and handmade paper sheets was analysed. The pulp and paper were identified with reasonable yield, medium viscosity, high bleachability, short and narrow fibres, and moderate paper strength. Saccharum officinarum pulp was characterised with high weighted average fibre length (1.143 mm), moderately high fibre width (18 μm), slenderness ratio (68), brightness (71.27%) and low kappa number (11.9); and the paper sheets with a tear index of 7.05 mNm2/g, while Cymbopogon nardus pulp was characterised with higher yield (44.20%), viscosity (915 cm3/g), low kinked fibre (20%) and curl (6%). The pulps from the two grasses superseded the others. Nevertheless, all the four grasses were recommended for pulp and paper production.
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    The Potential of Cymbopogon nardus in the Production of Pulp for Paper Industry
    (Singapore, 2015) Kamoga, Omar L. M.; Kirabira, J. B.; Byaruhanga, J. K.
    Cymbopogon nardus believed to contain cellulosic fibres has been proposed to be a potential source of pulp for paper industry with less environmental degradation threat. This study involved characterisation of Cymbopogon nardus as a new potential raw material, identifying the appropriate pulping techniques and conditions as well as characterisation and evaluation of the pulp and paper made. Norman and Jenkins‘s methods as well as the standard TAPPI methods were used to determine the chemical composition. Soda and Kraft pulping techniques were studied at varied temperature and chemical charges. It contained high hollocellulose, α-Cellulose; and moderately low extractives, ash content and lignin Content. The pulp yield of 42.82% at a kappa number of 24.4 was achieved with soda pulping at soda charge of 25%, at160oC and in one hour. A yield of 45.79% at a kappa number of 31.2 was achieved with Kraft pulping at 30 % sulphidity, 20% active alkalis, at the same time and temperature. The isolated pulp contained moderate fibre length (0.771mm), fibre width (14.4μm), slenderness ratio (51.67), a brightness (69.65%); and paper sheets with a tear index (6.44m Nm2/g). Properties of Cymbopogon nardus as a raw material, pulp and paper were very closer to those of other non-wood materials. Cymbopogon nardus stands a potential source of pulp for paper industry.