Fed-batch treatment attenuates diffusional limitation while preparing high solid microfibrillated cellulose from...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) production often faces challenges with low solid loading and high energy consumption.
• Gelidium amansii is a potential source for MFC, but efficient processing is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of fed-batch treatment on the fibrillation degree and properties of Gelidium amansii-derived MFC.
• To evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of fed-batch processing for MFC production.

Main Methods:

• Fed-batch milling was employed, starting with 1% solid loading and progressively increasing to 5% w/v.
• Comparison of fed-batch milling with traditional batch milling regarding solid loading, power consumption, and MFC properties.

Main Results:

• Fed-batch processing achieved a high solid loading of approximately 10% MFC, significantly higher than batch milling's 4%.
• Power consumption was reduced by approximately 83% compared to batch milling at 4% solid loading.
• MFC produced via fed-batch (5% solid loading) exhibited shorter fibril length and width but a higher consistency index than MFC produced via batch milling (1% solid loading).
• Crystallinity and decomposition temperatures remained comparable between the two methods.

Conclusions:

• Fed-batch treatment is a viable and energy-efficient method for producing high-solid MFC from Gelidium amansii.
• This approach offers significant techno-economic advantages for industrial MFC production without compromising key material properties.