A new cane bagasse based anion exchanger for sugar decolorization/clarification

Preparation methods, physical and chemical properties, as well as functional attributes of a new bagasse anion exchange fiber were systematically examined. The degree of decolorization capacities and regeneration characteristic were also studied using Amberlite IRA-900c macroporous anion resin as a reference. The new approach for regeneration ion exchange resin as described by Bento (SPRI Conference 1996) is used in this study. Findings from these studies are as follows: (i) The 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl cellulose (CHPC) made of bagasse reacted with chloropropylene oxide and catalyzed by perchloric acid. Anion exchange fiber with better absorption ability was obtained by the amination of ethylene diamine. This process is easy to control and the availablility of bagasse and other fibers is plentiful. This new decolorizing/clarification agent can be manufactured cheaply; (ii) The structure and the physical/chemical properties of the bagasse anion exchange fiber were investigated. The analytical work mainly focused on chemical-physical characteristics, such as the stability and exchange capacity in terms of colorant and turbidity removal of the anion exchange fibers obtained by different preparation methods; (iii) The crystallinity, molecular structure, and the weight changes as a function of temperature were investigated by the X-ray diffraction, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), and TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis); and (iv) The characteristics of adsorption/desorption phenomenon were extensively investigated using Amberlite IRA-900C macroporous anion resin as a control.