TEMPERATURE AND WATER REQUIREMENT FOR LEACHING OF CAUSTIC ALKALT FROM NGU
ABSTRACT
The production and analysis of “Ngu” extract for temperature and water requirement for leaching of casuistic 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.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Temperature and water requirement for leaching of caustic alkali from Ngu refers to the extraction of a soluble constituent from a solid by means of a solvent. The process may be employed either for the production of a concentrated solution of a valuable solid material, or in order to free an insoluble solid from a soluble material with which it is contaminated.
The method used for the extraction will be determined by the proportion of soluble constituent present, its distribution throughout the solid, the nature of the solid and the partied size. The main constituent is usually potassium oxide which often comprises nearly 50% of the total weight of ash.
