Elaboration and physical characterization of an agro-material based on sugar beet pulp and potato starch

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a potential route to improve the value of the sugar beet pulp in the manufacture of ecological lignocellulosic insulation concrete panels. These panels could on the one hand, reduce the energy consumption of buildings and therefore the associated CO2 emissions, and on the other hand, could ensure a good thermal, hygrothermal and acoustic insulation of buildings. This study aims to describe the making and characterization of a 100% vegetable agro-material based on the sugar beet pulp and potato starch. Chemical analysis of the beet pulp was carried out using the sequential extraction method with different solvents (cyclohexane, ethane, water, soda, HCl ...), to determine the pulp components, its behavior, and its chemical and physical characteristics. Mixtures of the sugar beet pulp, potato starch and saturated lime water were prepared for different starch / pulp mass ratios, then the drying method was optimized since pulps can withhold large quantities of water and lead to important deformations of the panels. For this reason several drying methods were investigated: freeze drying, drying under vacuum, ventilated or static oven at 40 °C, or drying in a controlled humidity chamber.