Development Of Novel Snipper Press For The Processing Of Oil Palm Biomass For Improving The Mechanical Strength And Physical Properties Of Various Bio-Composites. 

 

 

 

Researcher: Dr. Ridzuan Ramli

 

Introduction

A biomass pretreatment machine, known as  the Snipper Press  has been developed and tested by MPOB in collaboration with Hur Far Engineering Works Sdn Bhd. The machine has  a dual function involving cutting and pressing for reduction of size, moisture and oil content of  oil palm biomass.

The machine has been designed to simplify the process of size and moisture reduction  of various types of palm biomass by combining  the processes of chipping, pressing, shredding and milling.

The size of the fibres produced  by the machine  ranged  from  9mm (0.4 inches) to 50mm (2 inches) and was semi-dried  with a  moisture content below 50%. 

 

 Currently, to produce fibre strands  either  long or short fibre ( ranging from 50mm (2 inches)  to 203mm (8 inches), several machines are required, namely a shredder machine, a bunch press and a hammer mill. This machine eliminates the use of these individual machineries and is capable of catering for various type of biomass either from the oil palm industry or other ligcellulosic materials such as kenaf . Besides that, the Snipper Press is  also capable of producing biomass fibres

of  various sizes  and moisture  content  for the production of value added products such as  pulp & paper, particleboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF).  It also  can be used as a feedstock for renewable energy and second generation biofuels.

 

Objectives

• To develop a novel ligno-snipper press (snipper cum extrude press) capable of dual action to manufacture high quality oil palm biomass fibres from empty fruit bunches, frond, trunk and other lignocellulosic material e.g. kenaf that is suitable for the manufacture of various composites application.

• To formulate methods to enhance strength properties of composites manufactured from the fibre derived from the ligno-snipper press using oil palm biomass fibre and other lignocellulosic components as the raw material.

• To study the chemical and morphological properties of the ligno-snipper press fibres.

• To evaluate and determine the most viable method in terms of quality and finance for the manufacture of fibre based composites from the ligno-snipper press fibres.

• To promote the new technology using ligno-snipper press fibre composite panel production on commercial scale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production Of High Density Fibreboard (HDF) From Empty Fruit Bunch Fibres For Flooring Application

 

Researcher: En. Zawawi Ibrahim

 

Introduction

The recent, declining trend in the supply of rubberwood and other wood sources is cause for concern for the wood-based composite industry in Malaysia as it will have a direct impact on their plant production capacity. In addition, the price hike of this material due to its dwindling supply is not economical anymore. Therefore, the fibreboard manufacturers have to find alternative source of raw materials to substitute these materials by using non-traditional resources such as oil palm biomass.

 

Objectives

• To obtain the optimum parameters for the production of HDF from empty fruit bunch fibres blended with other lignocellulosic materials.

• To obtain the appropriate formulation of the amino acid formaldehyde resins for the production of HDF from empty fruit bunches blended with other lignocellulosic materials.

• To promote and commercialize the HDF from empty fruit bunches fibre for the application as flooring panels.