Processing and properties of rigid polyurethane foams based on bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover

Authors

  • Jianping Wu Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota
  • Yuanhua Wang Zhejiang University,Du Pont Agricultural Chemicals Ltd.
  • Yiqin Wan University of Minnesota,Nanchang University
  • Hanwu Lei Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University
  • Fei Yu Mississippi State University
  • Yuhuan Liu Nanchang University
  • Paul Chen University of Minnesota
  • Lirong Yang Zhejiang University
  • Roger Ruan University of Minnesota, Nanchang University

Abstract

A new kind of rigid polyurethane (PU) foam was synthesized from the oil phase of bio-oils from microwaveassisted pyrolysis of corn stover. The recipes for the PU foams consisted of polyol-rich bio-oils, water as blowing agent, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as both polyol donor and plasticizer, diphenylmethane-4,4’-diisocyanate (polymeric MDI) as cross-linking agent, silicon-based surfactant, and tin-based catalyst. The mechanical properties of rigid foams were measured with universal testing machine (Instron4206). The effects of individual ingredients on the physical and mechanical properties of the foams were studied. It was found that water content, bio-oil content, and isocyanate dosage were important variables in making PU foams in terms of mechanical strength, density, and cellular structure.Under optimal conditions, the compression strength of the prepared PU foams reached 1130 kPa with a density of 152.9 g/L. The results show that bio-oils are potential renewable polyol sources for making rigid PU foams.

Key words: rigid polyurethane foam, PU, bio-oil, microwave pyrolysis, corn stover, physical properties
DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2009.01.040-050

Citation: Jianping Wu, Yuanhua Wang, Yiqin Wan, Hanwu Lei, Fei Yu, Yuhuan Liu, Paul Chen, Lirong Yang, Roger Ruan. Processing and properties of rigid polyurethane foams based on bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(1): 40

Author Biographies

Hanwu Lei, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University

PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University

Roger Ruan, University of Minnesota, Nanchang University

Yangtze Scholar Distinguished Guest Professor, Nanchang University, and Professor, University of Minnesota.

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Published

2009-03-31

How to Cite

Wu, J., Wang, Y., Wan, Y., Lei, H., Yu, F., Liu, Y., … Ruan, R. (2009). Processing and properties of rigid polyurethane foams based on bio-oils from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of corn stover. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 2(1), 40–50. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/81

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009): IJABE

Section

Renewable Energy and Material Systems

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