Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams for the Removal of Petroleum-Derived Pollutants: Sorption in Batch and in Continuous-Flow

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluated the potential of two synthesized bio-based polyurethane foams, PU1 and PU2, for the removal of diesel and gasoline from water mixtures. We started the investigation with the experiment in batch. The total sorption capacity S (g/g) for the diesel/water system was slightly higher with respect to gasoline/water, with a value of 62 g/g for PU1 and 65 g/g for PU2. We found that the sorption follows a pseudo second-order kinetic model for both the materials. The experimental data showed that the best isotherm models were obtained with Langmuir and Redlich–Peterson models. In addition, to provide an idea of the process scalability for future industrial applications, we tested the sorption capacity of the foams using a continuous-flow of the same oil/water mixtures and we obtained performances even better with respect to the batch test. The regeneration can be performed up to 50 times by centrifuge, without losing efficacy.

Porous Aerogel Structures as Promising Materials for Photocatalysis, Thermal Insulation Textiles, and Technical Applications: A Review

“…These biomaterials are highly dense, biodegradable, and have multifunctional properties. Joints are mainly fabricated by these strategies having enhanced medical applications where high strength and flexibility are the key requirements [179,180].…”

Superhydrophobic, Magnetic Aerogels Based on Nanocellulose Fibers Derived from Harakeke for Oily Wastewater Remediation

“…This is mainly attributed to their superhydrophobicity and highly porous structure, which provides lots of space for 335 oils and organic solvents. Previous researchers have developed various oil sorbent materials with different oil adsorption capacities, including coir fiberreinforced PVA aerogel (25-34 g/g) [36], silane-coated chitin sponge (29-58 g/g) [37], polydimethylsiloxane/carbonized bacterial cellulose sponge (3-9 g/g) [38], TiO2-coated nanocellulose aerogels (20-40 g/g) [39], polyurethane foam (62-65 g/g) [40], calcium stearate-coated kapok fibers (up to 59.69 g/g) [41], graphene aerogels (260-570 g/g) [42], etc. The magnetic cellulose aerogel prepared in this work has the potential for practical oil adsorption due to the (i) outstanding oil adsorption capacity of many types of oils and organic solvents, (ii) low-cost and feasible preparation process compared to the graphenebased oil sorbents, and (iii) environmental friendliness compared to the synthetic polymerbased oil sorbents, such as polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane.…”

Synthesis and Biodegradation Test of a New Polyether Polyurethane Foam Produced from PEG 400, L-Lysine Ethyl Ester Diisocyanate (L-LDI) and Bis-hydroxymethyl Furan (BHMF)

“…Due to the growing concern about the toxic and carcinogenic effects of aromatic isocyanates which release dangerous diamines in the environment, we have decided to use a biodegradable and renewable diisocyanate which belongs to the amino acid-based diisocyanates, widely used over the past years in medicine [ 39 , 40 ]. Platform molecules derived from biomass, such as BHMF, HMF and FDCA together with other functionalized cellulosic materials are becoming versatile materials with ever-expanding applications [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Visible signs of degradation of polyurethanes are evident after 20–30 years and this mechanism strongly depends on the chemical composition [ 44 , 45 ].…”