Utilization of Sunflower Husk Ash in the Production of Polyurethane Materials

Patrycja Zakrzewska, Monika Kuźnia, Beata Zygmunt-Kowalska, Anna Magiera and Aneta Magdziarz ()
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Patrycja Zakrzewska: Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Monika Kuźnia: Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Beata Zygmunt-Kowalska: Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Anna Magiera: Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Aneta Magdziarz: Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-12

Abstract: Energy produced from waste biomass is more environmentally friendly than that produced from fossil resources. However, the problem of managing waste from the thermal conversion of biomass arises. The overarching goal of this article was to propose a method of utilizing biomass ash (sunflower husk) as a filler that positively affects the properties of rigid polyurethane foams. The scope of the presented research is to obtain and characterize rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) with the addition of two types of fillers: sunflower husks (SHs) and sunflower husk ash (SHA). First, an analysis of the fillers was carried out. The carbon content of SHs (C~49%) was ten times higher in comparison to SHA’s carbon content (C~5%). The morphology of the fillers and the particle size distribution were determined, which showed that in the case of SHs, particles with a size of 500–1000 µm predominated, while in SHA, the particles were 1–20 µm. The content of inorganic compounds was also determined. Potassium and calcium compounds were the most abundant in both fillers. The second part of the research was the analysis of polyurethane materials with the addition of fillers. The obtained results indicate that filler addition had a positive effect on the dimensional stability of the foams by eliminating the risk of material shrinkage. The biodegradation process of polyurethane materials was also carried out. The reference foam weight loss after 8 weeks was ~10%, while the weight loss of the foam containing SHA was over 28%. Physical and mechanical properties, cell structure, and thermal stability tests were also carried out. The use of bio-waste fillers creates a possibility for the partial replacement of petrochemical products with environmentally friendly and recycled materials, which fits into the circular economy strategy.

Keywords: biomass from the food industry; rigid polyurethane foams; biomass ash; circular economy; thermal biomass conversion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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