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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/23/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Selected from among more than 500 species, kenaf was studied by the Agricultural Research Service as a pulp and paper fibrous resource for about 20 years. Kenaf is a low density (16 lb/ft(3), 0.256 g/CM3) fibrous annual plant consisting of an outer bark containing bast fibers with an average length of 2.6 mm and an inner woody core averaging 0.6 mm. The bast portion, compared with the core, contains the greater amount of cellulose (57 vs 51%) and the lesser amounts of pentosan and lignin (16 vs 19% and 8 vs 17%). The surface characteristics and porosity give kenaf fibers excellent absorption properties both for water and oil. The kenaf shows strong selectivity for oil when both oil and water are present. These chemical and physical properties are responsible for the excellent results reported for the use of kenaf for pulp, paper, boards, animal litter, floor sweeping, packing materials, plant bedding and oil cleanup. |
