Techno-economic process parameter studies for hydrogel composite production from corncob biomass and its application as fertilizer releasing agent

This research work investigated the techno-economic process design for cellulose hydrogel synthesis from corncob biomass and their swelling and kinetic behaviors analysis In this process, raw corncob (RCC) was fractionated by alkali treatment process to obtain corn cellulose fibers (CCF) and then copolymerization with gelatin to produced cellulose hydrogel composite (CHC). Their swelling efficiency of CHC was investigated in NaCl, CaCl 2 and CO(NH 2 ) 2 solution by gravimetric method. The swelling capacity of CHC decreases with increasing salt concentration due to poor mass transfer diffusion. The dehydration kinetics of hydrogel were investigated at 30, 40 and 50 °C temperature to find the diffusion mechanism of the process. The techno-economic analysis was to estimate the operating cost to be 9,671,000 $/yr and annual revenue could be 12,230,000 $/yr for the hydrogel production process. These superior properties of hydrogel can promote the possible utilization of water retention and fertilizer releasing agent in the agricultural process.