PhD Oral Defense: Application of Electro-Technologies in the Processing of Flax and Hemp Stems

PhD Oral Defense of Gopu Raveendran Nair, Department of Bioresource Engineering

The main objectives of this study were: 1) To develop a novel retting method for the processing of pre- soaked flax and hemp stems by the application of microwave energy to the flax water mixture for shorter duration; 2) To evaluate the efficiency of retting in relation to the changes in compounds present in the fibers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin through chemical analysis and 3) To develop an effective electro- osmotic dewatering system for the high moisture retted flax and hemp stems using a bench type roller press at various applied voltages.

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