Cellulose (1)

CelluloseCellulose

By: Edel By: Edel KerinsKerins, Joanne Moran and Marc Falconer, Joanne Moran and Marc Falconer

What is cellulose?What is cellulose? Cellulose (CCellulose (C66HH1010OO55))nn is a long-chain polysaccharide is a long-chain polysaccharide

carbohydrate, of beta-glucose.carbohydrate, of beta-glucose.

It forms the primary structural component of plants and is It forms the primary structural component of plants and is not digestible by humansnot digestible by humans

Structure of Cellulose

HistoryHistory Cellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring organic Cellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring organic

substancesubstance

Being found as the principal component of cell walls in Being found as the principal component of cell walls in higher plants where it provides the main structural feature.higher plants where it provides the main structural feature.

It was first noted as such in 1838 by Anselm Payen.It was first noted as such in 1838 by Anselm Payen.

It occurs in almost pure form in cotton fibre at 98% in It occurs in almost pure form in cotton fibre at 98% in combination with lignin and hemicellulose. combination with lignin and hemicellulose.

Cellulose is the most abundant form of living terrestrial Cellulose is the most abundant form of living terrestrial biomass.biomass.

ApplicationsApplications Cellulose is processed to make cellophane and rayon and Cellulose is processed to make cellophane and rayon and

more recently Modal- a textile derived from beech wood more recently Modal- a textile derived from beech wood cellulose.cellulose.

Cellulose is also used within the laboratory as a solid-state Cellulose is also used within the laboratory as a solid-state substrate for thin layer chromatography.substrate for thin layer chromatography.

Cellulose is a major constituent of paper.Cellulose is a major constituent of paper.

DerivativesDerivatives The hydroxyl groups of cellulose can be partially or fully The hydroxyl groups of cellulose can be partially or fully

reacted with various chemicals to provide derivatives with reacted with various chemicals to provide derivatives with useful properties.useful properties.

They have the general formula Cellulose-O-R where the They have the general formula Cellulose-O-R where the oxygen can be any of the cellulose hydroxyls.oxygen can be any of the cellulose hydroxyls.

Cellulose esters and cellulose ethers are the most Cellulose esters and cellulose ethers are the most important commercial materials.important commercial materials.

Among the esters are cellulose acetate and triacetate, Among the esters are cellulose acetate and triacetate, which are film and film forming materials.which are film and film forming materials.

Uses of CelluloseUses of Cellulose Cellulose has many uses such as the following.Cellulose has many uses such as the following. anticake agents anticake agents EmulsifierEmulsifier StabiliserStabiliser Dispersing agentDispersing agent ThickenerThickener Gelling agentGelling agent

Most important use is of holding on to waterMost important use is of holding on to water

Treatments of CelluloseTreatments of Cellulose Industries of all kinds- food processing, forest products and pulp Industries of all kinds- food processing, forest products and pulp

and paper, face major problems with disposal of wastes derived and paper, face major problems with disposal of wastes derived from plant material.from plant material.

Cellulose comprises nearly half the dry weight of most plant Cellulose comprises nearly half the dry weight of most plant material.material.

Carbon fiber has been described as a fiber containing at least 90% Carbon fiber has been described as a fiber containing at least 90% carbon obtained by the controlled pyrolysis of appropriate fibers.carbon obtained by the controlled pyrolysis of appropriate fibers.

The Term “graphite fiber” is used to describe fibers that have The Term “graphite fiber” is used to describe fibers that have carbon in excess of 99%.carbon in excess of 99%.

Large varieties of fibers called precursors are used to produce Large varieties of fibers called precursors are used to produce carbon fibers of different morphologies and different specific carbon fibers of different morphologies and different specific characteristics.characteristics.

The most prevalent precursors are ployacrylonitrile, cellulosic The most prevalent precursors are ployacrylonitrile, cellulosic fibers petroleum or coal tar pitch and certain phenolic fibers.fibers petroleum or coal tar pitch and certain phenolic fibers.

Treatment of celluloseTreatment of cellulose Carbon fibers are manufactured by the controlled pyrolysis Carbon fibers are manufactured by the controlled pyrolysis

of organic precursors in fibrous form.of organic precursors in fibrous form.

It is a heat treatment of the precursor that removes the It is a heat treatment of the precursor that removes the oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to form carbon fibers. oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen to form carbon fibers.

There are three successive stages in the conversion of PAN There are three successive stages in the conversion of PAN precursor into high- performance carbon fibers.precursor into high- performance carbon fibers.

1.1. Oxidative StabilisationOxidative Stabilisation2.2. CarbonisationCarbonisation3.3. GraphitisationGraphitisation

Pre-treatment of fermentable CHO Pre-treatment of fermentable CHO products for bioethanol productionproducts for bioethanol production

Physical and chemical pre-treatment of cellulosePhysical and chemical pre-treatment of cellulose

It is necessary for hydrolysis and fermentation steps to It is necessary for hydrolysis and fermentation steps to occur for bioethanol production. occur for bioethanol production.

Pre-treatment processes are normally applied on different Pre-treatment processes are normally applied on different substrates.substrates.

Acidic hydrolysisAcidic hydrolysis Steam explosionSteam explosion Wet oxidationWet oxidation


One problem associated with pre-treatment methods is the One problem associated with pre-treatment methods is the generation of certain compounds that are inhibitory generation of certain compounds that are inhibitory towards micro organismstowards micro organisms

Degradation problems associated with later fermentation Degradation problems associated with later fermentation can be avoided by wet oxidation.can be avoided by wet oxidation.

A project underway in co-operation with Elsam, an industrial A project underway in co-operation with Elsam, an industrial partner is to develop hydrothermal treatment of wheat partner is to develop hydrothermal treatment of wheat straw on a pilot plant scale.straw on a pilot plant scale.

The main objective of the project is to pre-treat plant fibre The main objective of the project is to pre-treat plant fibre biomass.biomass.


Co- Combustion of coal and strawCo- Combustion of coal and straw

Enzymatic convertibility of cellulose Enzymatic convertibility of cellulose

The first aim is to evaluate grass clover as feedstock The first aim is to evaluate grass clover as feedstock material for fermentation.material for fermentation.

Environmental Benefits of cellulose Environmental Benefits of cellulose conversionsconversions

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel.Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel. It is made by chemically combining any natural oil or fat It is made by chemically combining any natural oil or fat

with an alcohol.with an alcohol. This process is known as transesterificationThis process is known as transesterification Products produced from this process are:Products produced from this process are:

*Methyl soyate *Methyl soyate *glycerine*glycerine

Current biodiesel market are mass transit, marine and other Current biodiesel market are mass transit, marine and other environmentally sensitive areas such as mines.environmentally sensitive areas such as mines.

EthanolEthanol It reduces smog and green house gas emissions.It reduces smog and green house gas emissions.

It contains 35% oxygen.It contains 35% oxygen.

It does not contain sulphurIt does not contain sulphur

Environmental benefits increase as biodiesel and cellulose Environmental benefits increase as biodiesel and cellulose ethanol grow. E.g. Renewable fuel in Ontario.ethanol grow. E.g. Renewable fuel in Ontario.

Cellulose insulationCellulose insulation Made from recycled wood fiber, primarily newspaperMade from recycled wood fiber, primarily newspaper Waste paper is a major source of the waste stream Waste paper is a major source of the waste stream Reducing the amount of paper that ends up in landfillReducing the amount of paper that ends up in landfill When you choose cellulose insulation it reduces the major When you choose cellulose insulation it reduces the major

problem of solid waste disposal.problem of solid waste disposal. The main advantages:The main advantages: Saves more energySaves more energy Makes home safer Makes home safer Fills existing walls with fewer voids and stops air in filtration Fills existing walls with fewer voids and stops air in filtration

betterbetter

Utilization of Cellulose and Utilization of Cellulose and examples of cellulose based examples of cellulose based

products.products. Cellulose is the major constituent of Cotton (98%)and Cellulose is the major constituent of Cotton (98%)and

Wood(40-50%).Cotton and wool are the major reservoirs for Wood(40-50%).Cotton and wool are the major reservoirs for all cellulose products such as paper, textiles and all cellulose products such as paper, textiles and construction materials. construction materials.

The Paper production industry is of great economic The Paper production industry is of great economic significance to the world, is a multi-billion dollar concern significance to the world, is a multi-billion dollar concern and relies on the manipulation of the chemical properties of and relies on the manipulation of the chemical properties of cellulose.cellulose.

The Textile industry is of great economic significance and The Textile industry is of great economic significance and relies heavily on cellulose both for natural and synthetic relies heavily on cellulose both for natural and synthetic fibres.fibres.

The construction industry also utilizes cellulose in products The construction industry also utilizes cellulose in products i.e. Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP’s) and cellulose i.e. Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP’s) and cellulose insulation.insulation.

Cellulose based ProductsCellulose based Products Cellulose nitrate. This was the first successful plastic. It was Cellulose nitrate. This was the first successful plastic. It was

invented in 1869 by Alexander Parkes. It is used in making invented in 1869 by Alexander Parkes. It is used in making toilet pieces and other industrial items.toilet pieces and other industrial items.

Cellulose acetate. It is used in making packaging materials, Cellulose acetate. It is used in making packaging materials, toys, tools etc. It is the cheapest raw material produced.toys, tools etc. It is the cheapest raw material produced.

Ethyl cellulose. This is produced by treating alkali cellulose Ethyl cellulose. This is produced by treating alkali cellulose with either ethyl chloride or ethyl sulphate. It is used in with either ethyl chloride or ethyl sulphate. It is used in flashlight cases and electrical appliance parts. It is the flashlight cases and electrical appliance parts. It is the lightest and most expensive of the cellulosics.lightest and most expensive of the cellulosics.

Methyl cellulose. Is non toxic and is a weak adhesive. In its Methyl cellulose. Is non toxic and is a weak adhesive. In its pure state it is used for cleaning the spines of books. It pure state it is used for cleaning the spines of books. It works as an excellent solvent of hide glue and some works as an excellent solvent of hide glue and some modern adhesives.modern adhesives.

Additional Cellulose based Additional Cellulose based productsproducts

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). This is basically refined Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). This is basically refined cellulose with the amorphous region and impurities cellulose with the amorphous region and impurities removed.removed.

Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. This is the end product of a Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. This is the end product of a chemical treatment of cellulose. Can be used as an chemical treatment of cellulose. Can be used as an emulsifier, gelling agent, thickener, among other things.emulsifier, gelling agent, thickener, among other things.

Rayon. This is formed by chemical and pressure treating Rayon. This is formed by chemical and pressure treating wood pulp. It was commercially produced for first time in wood pulp. It was commercially produced for first time in 1884 for use as a textile. It is a very useful fibre. 1884 for use as a textile. It is a very useful fibre.

Some photos of Cellulose Some photos of Cellulose based products.based products.

Ethyl Cellulose powder Ethyl cellulose (finished products)

Methyl cellulose powder

Antique nitro cellulose based shaving kit

Microbial Cellulose: A new Microbial Cellulose: A new resource for wood, paper, resource for wood, paper, textiles and food productstextiles and food products

What is Microbial Cellulose?What is Microbial Cellulose? Cellulose which is formed by an advanced purple bacterium Cellulose which is formed by an advanced purple bacterium

such as such as Acetobacter xylinumAcetobacter xylinum.. How is it formed? How is it formed? The production of glucose molecules by individual The production of glucose molecules by individual

Acetobacter cells. Each cell can produce 108 glucose Acetobacter cells. Each cell can produce 108 glucose molecules per hour. The end product is a bundle of sub-molecules per hour. The end product is a bundle of sub-microscopic fibrils, this mesh produces a pellicle which microscopic fibrils, this mesh produces a pellicle which cements the mesh together. Pure cellulose is the result.cements the mesh together. Pure cellulose is the result.

What could it be used for? Microbial cellulose has two great What could it be used for? Microbial cellulose has two great properties. It is very strong in the never dried state and properties. It is very strong in the never dried state and hold hundreds of times its own weight in water.hold hundreds of times its own weight in water.

What is the future for Microbial Cellulose? What is the future for Microbial Cellulose?

Cellulose and the Cellulose and the EnvironmentEnvironment

Cellulose and the Carbon Cellulose and the Carbon cycle.cycle.

Cellulose can be imagined Cellulose can be imagined as giant carbon “sink”. as giant carbon “sink”. Carbon incorporated in Carbon incorporated in cellulose can remain there cellulose can remain there for a long time.for a long time.

Cellulose in the oceans.Cellulose in the oceans. The majority of cellulose in The majority of cellulose in

the oceans is produced by the oceans is produced by unicellular algae or unicellular algae or plankton.plankton.

Unicellular planktonUnicellular plankton

Cellulose and the Environment Cellulose and the Environment continued.continued.

How we can improve the How we can improve the environment by improving environment by improving our utilization of waste our utilization of waste cellulose and developing cellulose and developing products based on waste products based on waste cellulose as alternatives.cellulose as alternatives.

What efforts need to be What efforts need to be taken in order to use the taken in order to use the resources of waste resources of waste cellulose more effectively cellulose more effectively and thus improve the and thus improve the global environment.global environment.

Conclusions.Conclusions. Right hand side: Photo of Right hand side: Photo of

deforestation in Amazon deforestation in Amazon basinbasin

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Cellulose (1)