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The Feasibility of Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) as a Material in Paper Making

A Science Investigatory Project


Presented to the Research Committee,
Leon National High School

By:
Meneyen Silbor
Researcher

Chapter 1
Background of the Study
Imperata cylindrica or cogon grass forms a dense mat and produces plenty of
leaves that make it nearly impossible for other plants to coexist. It can invade and overtake
disturbed ecosystems by displacing a large variety of native plant species. The plants can easily
attract fire. Burning them encourage new shoots. It is an alternate host forrust, damping-off, leaf
blight, and for root knot nematode. It can reduce yields by up to 90% when not properly
controlled. It is a very strong competitor for water, nutrients, and light because it sprouts and
grows faster than most crops. Cogon grass is used as a soil binder (to prevent soil erosion),
animal feed, and herbal medicine. Studies show that cogon grass contains chemicals (has the
allelopathic ability) that prevent the growth of other plant species and contribute to its
invasiveness and extreme competitiveness.
Papermaking is the process of making paper, a substance which is used ubiquitously
today for writing and packaging. In papermaking, a dilute suspension of fibers in water is
drained through a screen, so that a mat of randomly interwoven fibers is laid down. Water is
removed from this mat of fibers by pressing and drying to make paper. Most paper is made from
wood pulp, but other fiber sources such as cotton and textiles may be used.
As you know, to produce paper it is necessary to cut down trees. Considering the large
quantity of paper used in the world (about 300 million tons), every year entire forests are cut
down. This constitutes disruption to nature. Moreover, when paper is no longer needed,
it is often dumped in landfills, but part of it also ends up in the environment, contributing to
pollution. Recycling paper means reducing both the number of trees cut down and pollution to
the environment.

Statement of the Problem


1. What is the feasibility of Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) as a material in paper making in
terms of:
a. Tensile Strength
2. Are there significant differences on the feasibility of Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) and
rice straw as a material in paper making in terms of:
a. Tensile Strength
Hypothesis:
There are no significant differences on the feasibility of Cogon grass (Imperata
cylindrica) and rice straw as a material in paper making in terms of:
a. Tensile Strength

Significance of the Study:


This study will be beneficial, first, we save paper. Saving paper can consumed less energy
than making paper from fresh trees. Therefore, we save about 30 to 55 percent of energy and we
help lessen air pollution by 90 percent. Second, recycling paper lessens the amount of garbage
that goes to landfills. The amount of paper we recycle for a year saves approximately 120 pounds
of garbage that goes to landfills and saves a tree from being cut down. Third, it will provide the
people of Leon as a source of income if they will engage in recycling paper. Next, it will benefit
the students because they can save their money. They will recycle paper instead of buying a new
one. Lastly, the paper producers for it will give them knowledge that cogon grass can be made
into paper.

Definition of Terms

The ff. terms conceptually and operationally defined to give the readers a better
understanding of their terms as used in the study.
Paper A substance in sheet form made from the pulped cellulose fibers. (Websters Family
Encyclopedia)
In this study, it is to be executed using rice straw and cogon grass.
Cogon Grass is a perrenial, rhizomatous grass that is somewhat variable in apperance.
(Ladion, 2000)
In this study, it is one of the test material and serves as the experimental variable.
Paper Making - the process of making paper, a substance which is used ubiquitously today for
writing and packaging. (Websters Family Encyclopedia)
In this study, it is the process of making paper from rice straw and cogon grass.
Rice Straw - A single stalk of threshed grain. (http://www.answers.com/topic/straw)
In this study, it is one of the test material and serves as the control variable.
Sodium Hydroxide A white solid that is strongly alkaline in aqueous solution and is very
corrosive to organic tissue. (Websters Family Encyclopedia)
In this study, it is used to separate cellulose fibers from lignin(impure matter found on
wood or plant pulp) and it breaks down material into pulp.

Scope and Limitation


This study will be conducted on August 1 August 7, 2011 at Brgy. Talacu-an, Leon,
Iloilo.

Paradigm
Independent Variables

Dependent Variables

Experimental Variable:
Treatment 1:
Cogon Grass (Imperata
cylindrica)
Control Variable:
Treatment 2:
Rice Straw

1. Tensile Strength

Chapter 2
Conceptual Literature
On Grasses
Typically, the specialty nonwoods have physical properties superior to softwoods and can
be used in lower amounts in the furnish when used as a softwood substitute. Specialty papers
such as currency, cigarette papers, tea bags, dialectric paper etc. may be made from a furnish of
100% nonwood specialty pulps. Specialty pulps also may be used in combination with woodpulp
to produce lightweight and ultra-lightweight printing and writing papers. Combinations of
common and specialty nonwood pulps will permit the production of virtually any grade of paper
to meet any quality requirements demanded in the global market. Adding possible combinations
which include wood pulp, nonwood pulp and recycled wastepaper pulp increases the possibilities
for developing paper with specific sheet properties designed to meet specific customers needs.
(Hurter, 2001)
All plant material are basically consist of Cellulose Fiber, Hemicellulose and Lignin,
which bind cellulose fibers together. Pulping is nothing but breaking/removing lignin to separate
fibers. Lignin is physically and chemically weaker than cellulose fiber. Hence when a physical
force or chemical is applied to plant (wood, grass, straw, rag etc.), lignin breaks down faster than
cellulose. Heat also weakens lignin faster than cellulose fiber. Chemical or semi chemical pulp
made from non-wood plant material such as straw, grasses, rag, etc. (Goyal, 2010)
On Cogon Grass
Making paper using cogon grass is a way to productively use the invasive weed. Cogon
weed is not native to America but spread from the accidental introduction of the seed from
Japanese packing materials in the early 1900s. Making paper from cogon grass requires the

effective breakdown of fibers to produce the quality of material necessary for paper-making. The
process can be achieved using the correct method and provides effective. (Humphries, 2011)
Cogon grass is an erect, perennial grass, with linear to lanceolate, mostly basal leaf
blades up to 1.5 m tall and to 2 cm wide. Culms are mostly erect and unbranched, with reduced
blades and open sheaths. Pubescent at their base, leaf blades have a noticeably off-center whitish
midvein and scabrous margins. Varying in form, from loose to compact tufts, cogon grass is
strongly rhizomatous with extensive, sharply pointed, creeping scaly rhizomes.(Lippincott, 2000)
On Paper Making
Papermaking is the process of making paper, a substance which is used ubiquitously
today for writing and packaging. (Websters Family Encyclopedia)
In papermaking a dilute suspension of fibers in water is drained through a screen, so that
a mat of randomly interwoven fibers is laid down. Water is removed from this mat of fibers by
pressing and drying to make paper. Most paper is made from wood pulp, but other fiber sources
such as cotton and textiles may be used.(Mueller, 2010)
On Rice Straw
Paper can be made from any fibrous plant but the best material is rice straw. Abundant
rice straw go to waste during harvesting time. With a very minimal capital, this agricultural
waste could be a good source of livelihood. Making paper from rice straw can be done even by
children in their homes or as a project in the community. The art of papermaking is being done
since the ancient times in China and Japan where different types of paper such as glossy and
silky ones are produced. (DOST, 2009)

Pulp is used in making paper and cellulose products that have many industrial uses.
Although rice straw has never been used as a source of pulp in the United States, it has been used
for many years in Egypt for making commercial grade paper and in China for high grade artistic
paper. Neither of these countries have the wood resources of the United States. Paper made in
Egypt is from a mixture of rice straw pulp and a high grade pulp from wood imported from
Scandinavia. (Davis, 2002)
Rice straw pulps have been prepared which have alpha-cellulose contents and degrees of
polymerization comparable to those found in dissolving pulps manufactured from wood.
Dissolving pulps are normally made from wood or cotton sinters and have a variety of industrial
uses, including man-made fiber production and manufacture of cellulose derivatives. Cellulose
derivatives are used by many industries, such as the food, detergent and textile industries. (Davis,
2002)
Significant differences were found between the properties of rice straw cellulose and
those of wood and cotton cellulose. It is possible that these differences could be exploited to
either manufacture superior products from rice straw cellulose or to manufacture the products
more easily. (Davis, 2002)

Related Studies
Foreign Studies
A pulping study was undertaken in the laboratory to evaluate the potential of spartina
pulp as papermaking furnish. Samples of spartina grass harvested from Willapa Bay by
concerned citizens in collaboration with the former Clean Washington Centre (State of
Washington, USA), were pulped using the alkaline sulphate method. Preliminary test results
indicated that unbleached spartina pulp had very low basic physical strengths. Although its
specific morphology, i.e., very short length and very narrow width, limit its commercial
opportunity, spartina pulp could be used, possibly up to 30% for blending with bleached old
corrugated containers (OCC) pulp, in the manufacture of high-quality printing paper. (Wong,
Chui, 2001)
Paper has been made from grasses and other non-wood materials for over 1900 years.
Wood is a relatively new papermaking fibre, only 100 years old. Today the commercial nonwood pulp production accounts for 6% of the global pulp production. The main source for the

raw material is plants of the Gramineae family. Research on non-wood material has concentrated
on grasses like Miscanthus, Phalaris, Sorghum and cereals. The fibre properties of grass species
studied are similar to those of hardwood. A case study on reed canary grass (Phalaris
arundinacea L.) showed that the short-fibre fraction obtained from birch can be replace with
grass in fine paper. (Pahkala et al., 2005)
According to the study of Dutt et al. about the Bio-soda pulping of lignocellulosic
residues of palma rosa grass (Cymbopogon martini) shows that the lignocellulosic residues
(LCR) of Cymbopogon martini after steam distillation had 13.6% lignin, 74.4% holocellulose
and 25.4% pentosan. Phanerochaete chrysosporium degraded 30.11% of lignin, 62.25% of
pentosan and 18.60% of holocellulose of the original value of LCR of C. martini after 28 days at
40 degrees Celsius in solid-state culture with a higher in vitro dry matter digestibility. The steam
distillation and Phanerocheaete chrysosporium treatment of LCR of C. martini abated the mass
transfer problem and facilitated the faster penetration of cooking liquor. The pulp yield was
mitigated by 0.63% with insignificant decrease in kappa number and 0.81% with 1.32 units
decrease in kappa number for bio-soda and bio-soda-O2 pulping processes respectively when
cooked at 11% alkali dose compared to soda pulping (active alkali 14%) with a saving of 3%
cooking chemicals. (Dutt et al., 2010)
The pulping of Alfa grass at atmospheric pressure using a mixture of formic acid/acetic
acid water was investigated. Different pulping variables were studied, especially the percentage
of formic acid, acetic acid and water, pulping time, the liquor to fibre ratio and impregnation
time. The obtained unbleached pulps were analyzed in accordance with the Kappa number and
the degree of polymerization. The delignification of unbleached pulp was realized by using

peroxyacids in acidic organic medium and hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium. (Ammar et
al., 2009)
Shortage of conventional raw material for the pulp and paper products together with
the increasing world demand for paper has renewed interest in non-wood fibres. Non-wood
pulping capacity has been increasing steadily over the last decade. A lot of crops grown for
biomass, like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), are good examples of plants with potential for
pulp production. Raw material chemical composition, kraft pulp yield and properties, and fibre
characteristics of elephant grass or hybrid pennisetum (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv.
SDPN3) and switchgrass (cv. Cave-in-Rock) were determined in an effort to evaluate them as
raw materials for pulp and paper production. Elephant grass had -cellulose and Klasson lignin
contents of 45.6 and 17.7%, respectively. The respective values for switchgrass were 41.2 and
23.89%. Pulp yields, following a mild kraft process, were 48 and 50% for switchgrass and
elephant grass, respectively. The corresponding kappa numbers were 15.5 and 9.2. The weightweighted fibre length averaged 1.32 mm. Pulp freeness was higher for switchgrass (330 mL)
than for elephant grass (139 mL). Elephant grass had a burst index above 5.85 kP.m2 g-1. These
characteristics demonstrate the suitability of both elephant grass and switchgrass for pulp
production. (Madakadze et al., 2010)
Delignification of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was carried out by
conventional soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping under varying conditions selected according to
an orthogonal experimental design with four factors (cooking parameters) at three levels each L9
(34). The influence of these four parameters, i.e. effective alkali, EA (12, 15, and 18% on oven
dried (o.d.) reed, as NaOH), maximum temperature (145, 155, and 165C), time to maximum
temperature (70, 90, and 110 min), and time at maximum temperature (0, 15, and 30 min) on the

pulp properties (yield, kappa number, and viscosity) was studied. Results indicated that, with
respect to delignification, EA was the most important parameter, other parameters having a
minor effect. It was also noted that, contrary to wood-based pulping, the viscosity of the reed
canary grass pulp prepared in this study increased as the kappa number decreased. This finding
might be explained by assuming that variations in hemicellulose content of the pulp resulted in
the changes in viscosity, and that cellulose degradation was limited. (Feng, Aln, 2011)
A study of the pulping characteristics and mineral composition of 16 field crops grown in
Finland showed that the most suitable species for alkali cooking were the grass and cereal crops,
which gave the highest pulp yields and the lowest amounts of rejects. On the basis of the test
results, Festuca arundinacea, Festuca pratensis, reed canary grass and spring barley were
selected for further study. Further work selected Festuca arundinacea and reed canary grass as
worthwhile candidates. (Fowler et al., 2003)
The search for new and prospective sources of fibrous raw materials for papermaking is
never ending. We decided to evaluate Parthenium hysterophorous L., a weed, commonly known
in India as congress grass, for its paper making potential. The study included pulping runs by
soda and soda anthraquinone processes to judge the suitability of the new raw material. We also
examined the resulting pulp fibers by microscope for their basic characteristics. The new raw
material was found to be convertible to an acceptable quality pulp with 40% to 45% yield, 24 to
34 kappa number, and 21 to 25 ISO brightness for the unbleached pulp. The pulp contained a
variety of cell types besides fibers that were found to be short, thin, and slender with a moderate
intrinsic fiber strength. (Ghatak, 2002)
The feasibility of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) as a substitute for cardboard
food packaging was studied in this research project. The cogon grass was cut, boiled, and

crushed in order to get the pulp. The pulp was then subjected to five different treatments before it
was made into a card board like material. The amount of resin and other additives was kept
constant while the amount of starch was varied in every treatment. The study shows that it is
viable.
(Gabieta et al, 2008)

Chapter 3
Methodology
A. Materials
8. sodium hydroxide
1. 500g cogon grass
2. 500g rice straw

9. sponge
10. absorbent towels / cheese cloth
11. platform balance

3. 2 cooking pots
4. 2 large basins
5. stiff wire

12. blender
13. pair of scissors or bolo

6. 2 wooden frames
7. containers

B. Procedure
a. Treatments
Treatments consist the following:

Treatment 1- 100% cogon grass

Treatment 2 100% rice straw

b. Design
The study will be lay-out using the experimental design and it will be replicated two
times.

c. Lay out

1st T: Treatment
2nd T: Trial

T2T2

T1T1

T1T2

T2T1

d. Methods
Sampling Procedure
The data will be gathered from all the results after the experiment. Printability and tensile
strength will be tested after the experiment.
A.) Preparation of cogon grass and rice straw
1. Cut cogon grass and rice straw into 5cm length using scissors or bolo, remove waste and
stores. Then wash in running water.
2. Put 500g of cogon grass in a cooking pot and another 500g of rice straw in another
cooking pot.
3. Make two solutions of 105g sodium hydroxide in 9.5 liters of water. Pour the solution in
the pot with cogon grass and another solution in the pot with rice straw and boil for two
hours.
4. Wash the cooked cogon grass and rice straw.
5. Pound these in a mortar and pestle or blender to grind the fibers.
6. Squeeze the mash with both hands to remove the water and then place in a clean
container.
B.) Pulping

1. Place the fine mash in a basin.


2. Hold the mold firmly ( the mold is made of a wooden frame with a stiff wire screen staple
in it) with both hands and soak in the basin.
3. Lift it. Move the mold to spread the mash and with even thickness. Drain the water and
let the mash form into paper.
4. Cover the formed paper with absorbent cloth or cheese cloth. Press with sponge to
remove excess water.
C.) Drying
1. Hang or put in a place to dry for three days.

Data to be Collected
The data to be collected is tensile strength.
Procedure in measuring Tensile Strength:
1. Prepare the clips and the papers.
2. Put clips at the end of the papers.
3. Roll the other end and also put some clips.
4. Attach the wire at the and of the clips forming V-shape.

5. Cut the center of the wire.


6. Make a round shape from the wire where you can put the bowl.
7. Using weighing scale, measure 500g stones and put in the bowl.
8. Continue to measure until the paper is torn.
9. Gather data and prepare for finalization.

Statistical Analysis
All data will be analyzed using experimental design. Significant difference among
treatments will be analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

Bibliography
A. Books
Ladion, Herminia D. (2000).Healing Wonders of Herbs. Philippine Publishing House,
Manila, Philippines. Pg. 98

B. Encyclopedias
Elliot, Stephen B. Grass, Websters Family Encyclopedia (1995 Edition). Archer
Worldwide, Inc. Great Neck, New York. Pg. 1091
Elliot, Stephen B. Paper, Websters Family Encyclopedia (1995 Edition). Archer Worldwide,

Inc. Great Neck, New York. Pg. 1935


Elliot, Stephen B. Paper Making, Websters Family Encyclopedia (1995 Edition). Archer

Worldwide, Inc. Great Neck, New York. Pg. 1935

C. Magazines
Gabieta, Vanessa et al. (2005). Cogon Grass Cardboard Food Packaging. Bato Balani for Science

And Technology. Vol. 24 NO. 1

D. Journals
Ammar, Houcine et al. (2009). Separating, Characterization, and Application of Alfa Grass
(Stippa tenacissima) Chemical Components. Vol. 11. Pgs. 69-75
Dutt, Dharm et al. (2010). Bio-soda Pulping of Lignocellulosic Residues of Palma Rosa Grass.
Indian Journal of Chemical Technology. Vol. 17. Pgs. 60-70
Feng, Zhinan et al. (2001). Soda-AQ Pulping of Reed Canary Grass. Industrial Crops and
Products. Vol.14 Issue 1. Pgs. 31-39
Fowler, P. et al. (2003). The Potential Industrial Uses of Forage Grasses Including Miscanthus.
Chemical Society Reviews. Pgs. 1-30
Ghatak, Roy (2002). Papermaking potential of congress grass: Pulpability and
Fiber
Characteristics, Solutions! Vol. 85(2)
Madakadze, I. C. et al. (2010). Evaluation of Pulp and Paper Making Characteristics of Elephant
Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).
African Journal Of Environmental Science and Technology Vol 4(7). Pgs. 465-470
Pahkala, H et al. (2005). Grass Species As Raw Material For Pulp And Paper. African Journal
Of Environmental Science and Technology. Vol. 7. Pgs. 55-60

E. Articles from an Online Journal


Hurter, Robert W. (2000). Agricultural Residues. HurterConsult Inc. Rome, Italy.
Pgs. 61-74
http://hurterconsult.com/nonwood_uses.htm
Wong, A. and Chui C. (2001). Alkaline Sulphit Pulping of Spartina Grass (Spartina alterniflora
L.). Proc. Tappi Pulping Conference, Seattle, WA. November 2001.
http://www.agripulp.com/straw.html

Chapter 4
Results and Discussion
This chapter presents the results followed by discussion.
Table 1. The feasibility of cogon grass and rice straw as a material in paper making in terms of
tensile strength.
Group
Replicate1
(kg)
1 (Cogon Grass)
8.27
2 (Rice Straw)
11.33
Block
19.6
Total
Grand
Total
Grand
Mean

Replicate 2
(kg)
6.81
10.54
17.35

Total
(kg)
15.08
21.87
36.95

Mean
(kg)
7.54
10.94

18.48
9.24

12
10
8

Mean (kg)

Group 1

Group 2

4
2
0

Trial 1

Trial 2

Figure 3. The feasibility of cogon grass and rice straw as a material in paper making in terms of
tensile strength.

Table1 and figure 3 show the feasibility of cogon grass and rice straw as a material in
paper making in terms of tensile strength. Treatment 2 obtained the most tensile strength
(10.94kg) and treatment 1 obtained the least tensile strength (7.54kg)
Table 3. ANOVA Results of the significant difference between the feasibility of cogon grass and
rice straw as a material in paper making in terms of tensile strength.
Source of Variation Sum of Squares Degrees of Freedom Mean Squares
Between Groups
Within Groups

11.53

11.53

1.38

0.69

F- Ratio
16.71

Significance
p<0.05

ANOVA results showed that the computed F-ratio of 16.71 is larger than the critical value
of 18.51 at .05 level. Therefore, the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference between
the feasibility of cogon grass and rice straw as a material in paper making is accepted.
Table 4.
Pair

Mean

A and B

3.4

Scheffe Value
4.1

Table Value
0.5

Significance
Significant

Scheffe table shows significant difference on pair A and B with a mean of 3.4, Scheffe
value of 4.1 and table value of 0.5 at degrees of freesom 1 / 2.

Table 1. Final Data of Tensile Strength


Treatment 1
Cogon Grass
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Treatment 2
Rice Straw (Control)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Block
Total
Grand
Total
Grand
Mean

Replicate1
(g)
1000
1000
600
970
370
770
930
930
770
930

Replicate 2
(g)
930
1270
1270
470
470
370
420
423
620
568

Total
(g)
1930
2270
1870
1440
840
840
1350
1353
1390
1498

Mean
(g)
965
1135
935
720
420
420
675
676.5
695
749

1020
1100
950
960
1050
900
950
1650
1100
1650
19600

1320
1010
700
1150
1060
750
1250
1250
1150
900
17351

2340
2110
1650
2110
2110
1650
2200
2900
2250
2550
36651

1170
1055
825
1055
1055
825
1100
1450
1125
1275

18325.5
916.275

The table shows the means between treatment 1 (Cogon Grass- Experimental) and
treatment 2 (Rice Straw- Control) on tensile strength. The paper no. 8 on treatment 2 obtained
the highest mean of 1450 in two trials. Next is the paper no. 10 on treatment 2 with a mean of
1275 in two trials also. Then is the paper no. 1 on treatment 2 with mean of 1170 in two trials
also.

Table 2. Final Data of Thickness


Treatment
1
2
Block
Total
Grand
Total
Grand
Mean

Replicate1
(mm)
22
23
45

Replicate 2
(mm)
25
30
55

Total
(mm)
47
53
100

Mean
(mm)
23.5
26.5

50
25

The table shows the means between treatment 1 (Cogon Grass- Experimental) and
treatment 2 (Rice Straw- Control) on thickness. Treatment 2 on its second trial obtained the
highest mean of 30 mm. Next is treatment 2 on its first trial which has a mean of 23 mm. Then
the mean of treatment 1 on its second trial which is 25mm and on its first trial which is 22 mm.

Graph 2. Final Data of Thickness

35
30
25
20
Mean (mm)

Treatment 1
Treatment 2

15
10
5
0

Trial 1

Trial 2

2000
1500
Mean (g) 1000
1450
1125
1055
1055
5001135
965749
825
825
720
676.5
675
420
0
Treatment 1

ANOVA
A

X1(kg)

X2
68.39

11.33

128.37

6.81

46.39

10.54

111.08

114.78

21.87

239.46

Means 7.54

10.94

Xt= 36.95
X2t= 354.24
Nt = 4
Step 4.
a.

X2

8.27

Sums 15.08

X1(kg)

SSt = X2t - (Xt)2


N
= 354.24 (36.95)2

Nt
= 354.24 1365.30
4
= 354.24 341.33
=12.91

Preparation of Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Cut Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Washed Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Solution of Sodium Hydroxide on pot for cooking

Cooking Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Cooked Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Washed Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Blending Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Blended Cogon Grass and Rice Straw

Treatments put on a basin

Soaking the mold to the basin to get the pulp

Mold with the pulp

Putting the absorbent towels and removing excess water

Paper on absorbent towel

Drying

Paper

Measuring Tensile Strength

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