One of the major characteristics of hemp fibers limiting large scale industrial developments is their wide variation in dimension and variation in quality, Steam explosion is currently one of the most valuable pretreatment technologies for cellulosic bioethanol production but can also be an effective method for the separation of fibers from lignocellulosic biomass. Steam process involves four stages: steam penetration into the fibers, degumming, fibrillation and cellulose destruction. To control the process is essential in order to make an efficient treatment without altering the cellulose fiber. Several parameters can be modified to change the severity of the treatment (temperature (T), time (t), soda concentration in impregnation liquid (C)…).<br/><br/>Fine hemp fibers (cottonized hemp) were processed using steam explosion from non retted raw hemp fibers. The quantification of the defibration rate was performed by image processing. Based on this method, the hemp defibration was optimized using a response surface methodology based on three-variable central composite design for the production of elementary fibers with low variability. Optimal parameters for the steam process were as follows: 4.1 min; 191°C; impregnation with a solution of NaOH (8%) before treatment; leading to a defibration rate of 91.2%. Examples of on-going developments in the fields of composites, textile and fireproof fibers will be presented.

Cottonization of hemp fibers by steam explosion: Defibribration, morphological characterization and applications

2019 Spring National Meeting

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