Production of pulp and energy using orange tree prunings

Abstract

The aim of this work was to chemically characterize orange tree prunings and use it in pulping and combustion processes. Soda-anthraquinone pulping of the main fraction of orange pruning (stems with a diameter > 0.5 cm) was simulated with polynomial and neurofuzzy models, that predicted pulp properties as a function of operating variables (155-185°C, 40-90 min, soda concentration, 10-16%) with errors less than 20%. The heating values (16,870 kJ/kg), the flame temperature (1150-2150 °C) and dew point temperature of fuel gas (47-53 °C) for the residual fraction from orange pruning (stems diameter < 0.5 cm and leaves) was determined and compared with other non-wood lignocellulosic materials. As a consequence the price of kJ obtained by combustion of this residual fraction is less than other lignocellulosic materials, much lower than those of fossil fuels.