Eco-Friendly Polyurethane Foams Enriched with Waste from the Food and Energy Industries

Patrycja Zakrzewska, Beata Zygmunt-Kowalska, Monika Kuźnia, Dorota Głowacz-Czerwonka, Mariusz Oleksy and Małgorzata Sieradzka ()
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Patrycja Zakrzewska: Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Beata Zygmunt-Kowalska: Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Monika Kuźnia: Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Dorota Głowacz-Czerwonka: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, Powstancow Warszawy 6 Av., 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Mariusz Oleksy: Department of Polymer Composites, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, Powstancow Warszawy 6 Av., 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Małgorzata Sieradzka: Department of Heat Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30 Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: In recent years, there has been considerable focus on ensuring that energy is used in the most efficient manner possible. This is due to the fact that globally, over 70% of energy is generated from fossil fuels. Consequently, the matter of designing and utilizing materials that will negate energy losses within the construction industry is of paramount importance. Simultaneously, the necessity for a sustainable approach to the design and production of materials is strongly emphasized. This paper presents an innovative approach to the use of a combination of mineral and plant-based fillers in polyurethane foam technology as a thermal insulation material with the potential to be used in construction to reduce energy consumption. Polyurethane composites containing fly ash from biomass combustion and the addition of rice, sunflower, and buckwheat husks as plant fillers were proposed. The structure of the obtained materials was studied, and the most important physical properties were analyzed. These included apparent density, dimensional stability, water absorption, and the effects of UV radiation and water influence on the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen content. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the materials were investigated, including compressive strength and brittleness. Additionally, the foams were subjected to flammability tests using a cone calorimeter. Furthermore, additional parameters were determined, including the limiting oxygen index and the vertical and horizontal flammability tests. The results demonstrate the beneficial effects of combining mineral and vegetable fillers in polyurethane foam.

Keywords: thermal insulation; circular economy; waste management; biocomposite; polyurethane; cellular materials (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: 2024
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