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Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

- An Infinite Amazement
ARNIZA GHAZALI1 SITI SALMI GHAZALI2 MOHD HAFIZ RIDZUAN1 WANROSLI WAN DAUD1 1School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. 2 Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Introduction
Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches [1-5]

EFB Elaise guineensis (Kelapa sawit, oil palm) Abundance in Malaysia (17 million ton/yr) Residue of palm oil milling Malaysia being world 2nd largest Outcome of Utilization Prevent accumulation Raw material for various products The once fibrous waste now commodity Sustainable development: cradle-to-cradle in LCA, zero-waste strategy for industry.

Introduction
Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

EFB major components [7] Cellulose (50.49%) Holocellulose (80.09%) Lignin (17.84%) Extractives (3.21%)
EFB the problematic component References 6-15: Silica Inert to all chemicals Except NaOH, HF Heavy metals Undesirable to industrial processes favouring nonsiliceous components.

Method & Aim of Presentation


Examination of Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Original Utilisation Idea paper-making

SEM Analysis of:


Simple Fibre Extraction Technique found silica ! Removal Attempted Structure studied

EFB, ASH of EFB, Ash of holocellulose, Ash of a-cellulose Ash of paper. Aim: To marvel at nature through microscopy

Results
Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

SEM/EDAX Analysis of Untreated EFB


Roles of silica bodies in plants: 1-Mechanical strength, 2-Detoxification of excess minerals, etc. Atomic %, Si:O (1:2) Silica, SiO2 (EDX & literature)

SEM of EFB surface showing high silicato-craters ratio in untreated EFB.

Results
Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

SiO2+DTPA?
Silica is inert, except to NaOH and HF !

SiO2 liberation implies close Linkage between silica & minerals.


SEM of EFB surface showing high craters-to-silica ratio, suggesting desilication after DTPA treatment, which creates tremendous hints about nature!

Results
Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

a.

SEM Analysis of EFB Ash explains the location, role & the finer mystery of nature:
As seen in a) Silica bodies atop mineral layer the possible role of detoxification [10, 16-19] unveiled. As seen in b) Silica fused to other minerals. EDX area analysis show: calcium, sodium, potassium of 5.2%, 9.9% and 6.3% atomic percentage amidst 21.4% silica and 51.7% oxygen Evidence of skeletal silica

b.

Results
Silica in Plants [

Possible scientific explanation to observation: Sillicic acid deposited on transpiration stream forms skeletal silica, while Silica having attracted excess minerals, deposited on vascular bundle surface as silica bodies.

Results
Skeletal silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

SEM of Dissected EFB vascular bundle:


SEM of Ash of Paper From EFB:
EDAX (atomic %) :Ca 21.9%, Mg 3.5%, silica 3.2%, Oxygen 55.4%.

Shape of the cellulosic ash is plausible resemblance of the vessel structure in the dissected EFB vascular bundle.

Results
More Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

SEM of a-cellulose :
Siliceous threads found amidst metal clusters of the cellulose mass.

Contemplation:
Silica as the Amazing Finer Mysteries

Silica, be it bodies or skeletal, is a picture of the finer mysteries foretold in indigenous knowledge: ..if there be (but) the weight of a mustard seed and it were (hidden) in a rock or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth. Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finer mysteries (and) is well-acquainted (with them). 31: 16 [20]

Contribution of study
Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Knowledge of silica level and adjacent to minerals gateway to strategy for efficiency enhancement of paper production / any other industrial process silica and industrial process no good match Findings help us appreciate that all creation comes with purpose and specific proportion, in correlation with indigenous knowledge: And there is not a thing but its source and treasures inexhaustible are with us. But we send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures 15:21 [20] SEM helps us marvel at the finer mysteries only understood by the Creator: 31:16 [20] & bridge the gap between research and the Creator!

Conclusion
Silica in Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Silica is removable by indirect reaction with DTPA Siliceous structures are sculptured into the biomass this makes up residual, irremovable silica. Amazing craftsmanship of nature that is hardly realized without superb imaging like SEM tool that connects knowledge to the Creator. Indigenous knowledge helps us appreciate specificity of creation and role & explains science of nature.

References:
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