1. Valorization of Lignin Side-Streams into Polyols and Rigid Polyurethane Foams—A Contribution to the Pulp and Paper Industry Biorefinery
- Author
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João A. Pinto, Cátia F. Oliveira, L.M.R. Mesquita, Elson Dinis Gomes, Isabel Fernandes, Paula C. R. C. R. Pinto, Paulo A. G. Piloto, M.F. Barreiro, Alírio E. Rodrigues, and Virginia D. Pinto
- Subjects
Technology ,Control and Optimization ,flame retardant properties ,020209 energy ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Context (language use) ,02 engineering and technology ,engineering.material ,Lignin-based polyols ,Syringaldehyde ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Rigid polyurethane foams ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Lignin ,Lignin side-streams ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Engineering (miscellaneous) ,Flame retardant properties ,Polyurethane ,biorefinery ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Pulp (paper) ,lignin-based polyols ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Biorefinery ,Pulp and paper industry ,rigid polyurethane foams ,Depolymerized lignins ,chemistry ,depolymerized lignins ,engineering ,lignin side-streams ,0210 nano-technology ,Black liquor ,Kraft paper ,Energy (miscellaneous) - Abstract
Valorization of industrial low-value side-streams are of great interest, contributing to boosts in the circular economy. In this context, lignin side-streams of the pulp and paper industry were oxypropylated to produce biobased polyols and tested in the synthesis of rigid polyurethane (RPU) foams. E. globulus lignins, namely a lignin isolated from an industrial Kraft black liquor and depolymerized lignins obtained as by-products of an oxidation process, were used. RPU foams, synthesized with 100% lignin-based polyols and using a 1.1 NCO/OH ratio, were characterized concerning apparent density, morphology, thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and heat release rate (HRR). Foams containing the lignin-based polyols presented densities varying from 44.7 to 112.2 kg/m3 and thermal conductivity in the range of 37.2–49.0 mW/mK. For the reference foam (sample produced with 100% wt. Daltofoam TP 32015 polyol), values of 70.9 kg/m3 and 41.1 mW/mK were obtained, respectively. The achieved results point out the viability of using the generated lignin-based polyols at 100% content in RPU foams, mainly when depolymerized lignins are used. Moreover, fire retardancy was favored when the lignin-based polyols were introduced. The proposed strategies can contribute to establishing the integrated pulp and paper biorefinery concept where material synthesis (polyols and RPU foams) can be combined with chemical production (vanillin and syringaldehyde). Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), and to UIDB/50020/2020 of the Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM—funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); national funding by FCT, PI, through the institutional scientific employment program contract for Isabel P. Fernandes. This work was carried out under the Project No. 33969 Bioblocks—Design of biobased products from renewable lignocellulosic sources as precursors for the bioindustry of chemical synthesis and biomaterials—financed by FEDER through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors (POFC) and QREN. To COST Action LignoCOST (CA17128) supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2021