The Use of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for Modeling of Thermogravimetric Curves of Tobacco Stalk Waste Exposed to Alkaline Treatment

Tobacco is a rich source of cellulosic material and one of the most cultivated non-food plants in the world with great potential for incorporation in polymeric matrices. The use of tobacco residues as reinforcing filler requires chemical/physical fiber treatment aiming to maximize compatibility with the polymer. In this study, tobacco residues were treated with two concentrations of NaOH (10 or 15 wt.%) at two-time exposures (3 or 5 h). Four distinct heating rates were used for each condition. It was applied an artificial neural network to model the thermogravimetric curves. After, the fitted ANN curves were used to create a 3D surface response. The equations from 3D surface response allowed the creation of thermogravimetric curves in any heating rate situated between the minimum and maximum range tested.

Automated summary

Tobacco residues were treated with different concentrations of NaOH and different exposure times, and their thermogravimetric curves were modeled using an artificial neural network. A 3D surface response was created to predict the thermogravimetric curves at different heating rates.