ABSTRACT
The production and analysis of “Ngu” extract for temperature and water requirement for leaching of caustic alkali is the basic objective of this project. The production was carried out by using unit operations and also using the female inflorescence of a palm fruit (Eleasis Guineesis) as raw material. The female inflorescence of palm fruit was size reduced from original dimensions to maintain particle size characteristics. The size reduced bunches were dried at room temperature and at normal atmospheric pressure; after which the sized reduced bunches were burnt at higher temperature. The cooled ashes were dissolved, filtered by using a sieve of mesh size and the filtered solution is the “Ngu” extract. The pineapple content of the alkali leached from Ngu ash was potassium hydroxide. Material and energy balances, equipment sizing with recommended material of construction, costing and profitability analysis was done. It should however, be noted that a profitable project could be embarked upon if the equipments to be fabricated locally which also reduce foreign exchange being extended on the importation of potassium hydroxide.
TABLE OF CONTENT
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
IMPORTANCE OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
OBJECTIVE OF THE PRODUCT
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE SURVEY
THE OIL PALM TREE AND IT’S ORIGIN
VARITIES OF THE OIL PALM
BASIC RAW MATERIALS OBTAINED FROM THE OIL PALM.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE RATE OF EXTRACTION
CHAPTER THREE
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
LEACHING OF SAMPLE
DETERMINATION OF ALKALI (TAKEN AS KOH) QUANTITY
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
ANALYSIS OF NGU EXTRACT
CHAPTER FOUR
EXPERIMENTAL RESULT
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER SIX