Scientific Analysis of Engineering Materials Derivable from Smart Electronically Calibrated Nonwoody Agricultural Waste for Production of Pulp

The necessity for a self-dependent economy and the quest to develop more raw materials for chemical and agrochemical industries have expanded the frontiers of the researcher in the aspect of the engineering materials derivable from agricultural waste products, particularly from straws and other nonwoody waste products channeled toward the production of pulp for handmade and tissue papers for household and commercial usage, thereby boosting the economy and reducing importation and foreign dependence. In this study, two samples Zea mays straws and Luffa cylindrica described as agricultural wastes were used. These were obtained from the swamp region of Ikpe Anang River in Ini Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The samples were washed with water and cut into small lengths of about 2 cm and air-dried for 3 days to reduce moisture content before grinding to powder and stored in a container for further analysis. Scientific analysis of chemical composition in terms of ash content and fiber analysis including fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber lumen width, fiber cell wall thickness, runnel ratio, and flexibility coefficient were carried out. Thereafter, results showing characteristics of straws (physical parameters), solubility tests, bulk density, fiber characteristics, and variation in fiber characteristics in both samples were also examined and summarized as derived values for fiber characteristics. The results obtained show that the two plant straws had satisfactory fiber characteristics for pulp production for handmade and tissue paper.