Potential utilization of sugarcane bagasse aerogel as insulation material for piping system

Aerogel has recently been identified as a promising economical material for various applications such as thermal insulation in construction buildings and piping systems. However, the use of agricultural waste as the primary source of aerogel is still uncommon. The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of sugarcane bagasse aerogel as an insulation material with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the binder. Pre-treating sugarcane bagasse with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide solution was the initial step in the study. The treated sugarcane powder was then mixed with PVA before being freeze-dried to produce aerogel. The concentration of sugarcane bagasse varied from 2 wt.% to 4 wt.%. The fabricated aerogels were characterized in terms of density, porosity, structural morphology, and chemical properties. Thermal analysis of the aerogels was performed using a heating plate and compared to commercial insulation. Based on the characterization analysis, the fabricated aerogels have a density between 0.12 g/cm3 to 0.15 g/cm3 and a porosity of more than 90%. The scanning electron microscopy image of the aerogel showed the alkaline peroxide treatment does affect the original structure of the raw sugarcane bagasse with the destruction of the internal structure and producing a porous structure. In terms of thermal study, 3 wt.% sugarcane bagasse aerogel is a better insulator when compared to polyethylene insulation foam. In conclusion, sugarcane bagasse aerogel has the potential to be used as an insulation material for piping systems.