Flexible polyurethanes, renewable fuels, and flavorings from a microalgae oil waste stream

Hai, Thien An Phung; Neelakantan, Nitin K.; Tessman, Marissa; Sherman, Suryendra D.; Griffin, Graham B.; Pomeroy, Robert S.; Mayfield, Stephen P.; Burkart, Michael D.

doi:10.1039/d0gc00852d

Cited by 46 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 61 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“… 26 , 48 Our ozonolysis studies in aqueous methanol suggested that polar organic solvents miscible in water improved the water nucleophilicity for carbonyl oxides, resulting in the direct formation of aldehydes, 26 avoiding the formation of energetic intermediates, 48 , 49 which are further oxidized with sodium chlorite to produce the desired carboxylic acid in high yield and purity. 18 , 24 However, our attempts to scale up these reactions faced several challenges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Ozonolysis Using an Integrated Batch–DIY Flow System for Renewable Material Production

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Flow chemistry offers a solution for replacing batch methods in chemical preparation where intermediates or products may pose toxicity or instability hazards. Ozonolysis offers an ideal opportunity for flow chemistry solutions, but multiple barriers to entry exist for use of these methods, including equipment cost and performance optimization. To address these challenges, we developed a programmable DIY syringe pump system to use for a continuous flow multireactor process using 3D-printed parts, off-the-shelf stepper motors, and an Arduino microcontroller. Reaction kinetics of ozonide formation informed the use of an integrated batch–flow approach, where ozone addition to an olefin was timed to coincide with fluid movement of a single-syringe pump, followed by downstream Pinnick oxidation and reductive quench in flow. The system was demonstrated by continuous preparation of azelaic acid from ozonolysis of palmitoleic acid, a process limited to low production volumes via batch chemistry. High total production of azelaic acid with 80% yield was obtained from an algae oil sourced unsaturated fatty acid: a product with important applications in medicine, cosmetics, and polymers. This low-cost, scalable approach offers the potential for rapid prototyping and distributed chemical production.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Ozonolysis Using an Integrated Batch–DIY Flow System for Renewable Material Production

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Linear polyesters from oleic acid-based monomers were prepared and later converted into polyurethanes [88]. Polyesters prepared from microalgae oil lipids have also been described [90].…”

Section: Linear Polymers Based On Fatty Acids or Their Ensuing Derivativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Prospering of Macromolecular Materials Based on Plant Oils within the Blooming Field of Polymers from Renewable Resources

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper provides an overview of the recent progress in research and development dealing with polymers derived from plant oils. It highlights the widening interest in novel approaches to the synthesis, characterization, and properties of these materials from renewable resources and emphasizes their growing impact on sustainable macromolecular science and technology. The monomers used include unmodified triglycerides, their fatty acids or the corresponding esters, and chemically modified triglycerides and fatty acid esters. Comonomers include styrene, divinylbenzene, acrylics, furan derivatives, epoxides, etc. The synthetic pathways adopted for the preparation of these materials are very varied, going from traditional free radical and cationic polymerizations to polycondensation reactions, as well as metatheses and Diels–Alder syntheses. In addition to this general appraisal, the specific topic of the use of tung oil as a source of original polymers, copolymers, and (nano)composites is discussed in greater detail in terms of mechanisms, structures, properties, and possible applications.

show abstract

“…In a sustainable biorefinery approach, omega-3 fatty acids can be separated from microalgal lipids, while the rest of the lipid or other components of the biomass could be used for making food, fuel, or other valuables. For example, after the separation of omega-3 fatty acids from Nannochloropsis salina oil, the waste oils were used to produce flexible polyurethane foam (Phung Hai et al, 2020). This biodegradable polyurethane foam is an alternative to petroleum-based polymer and showed its application in making footwear and surfboard.…”

Section: Polyunsaturated Fatty Acidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Algal Biofuels With Bioremediation Coupled Industrial Commodities Towards Cost-Effectiveness

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microalgae offer a great potential to contribute significantly as renewable fuels and documented as a promising platform for algae-based bio refineries. They provide solutions to mitigate the environmental concerns posed by conventional fuel sources; however, the production of microalgal biofuels in large scale production system encounters few technical challenges. High quantity of nutrients requirements and water cost constrain the scaling up microalgal biomass to large scale commercial production. Crop protection against biomass losses due to grazers or pathogens is another stumbling block in microalgal field cultivation. With our existing technologies, unless coupled with high-value or mid-value products, algal biofuel cannot reach the economic target. Many microalgal industries that started targeting biofuel in the last decade had now adopted parallel business plans focusing on algae by-products application as cosmetic supplements, nutraceuticals, oils, natural color, and animal feed. This review provides the current status and proposes a framework for key supply demand, challenges for cost-effective and sustainable use of water and nutrient. Emphasis is placed on the future industrial market status of value added by products of microalgal biomass. The cost factor for biorefinery process development needs to be addressed before its potential to be exploited for various value-added products with algal biofuel.

show abstract

Flexible polyurethanes, renewable fuels, and flavorings from a microalgae oil waste stream

Abstract: To achieve sustainably-sourced polymers from algae, azelaic acid was prepared from an algae oil waste stream and converted into a flexible polyurethane foam. The heptanoic acid co-product was converted into both a flavoring and a renewable solvent.

Cited by 46 publications

References 61 publications

Laboratory Ozonolysis Using an Integrated Batch–DIY Flow System for Renewable Material Production

Laboratory Ozonolysis Using an Integrated Batch–DIY Flow System for Renewable Material Production

The Prospering of Macromolecular Materials Based on Plant Oils within the Blooming Field of Polymers from Renewable Resources

Integration of Algal Biofuels With Bioremediation Coupled Industrial Commodities Towards Cost-Effectiveness

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About