Flexible polyurethanes, renewable fuels, and flavorings from a microalgae oil waste stream
Thien An Phung Hai, Nitin Neelakantan, Marissa Tessman, Suryendra D. Sherman, Graham B. Griffin, Robert S. Pomeroy, Stephen P. Mayfield, Michael D. Burkart
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.
Topics & Concepts
PolyurethaneRenewable energyRaw materialPulp and paper industrySolventChemistryAlgaeAlgae fuelRenewable resourceOrganic chemistryBiomass (ecology)PolymerWaste managementRenewable fuelsWaste streamEnvironmental scienceFossil fuelBiodieselBotanyEngineeringEcologyCatalysisBiologyElectrical engineeringAlgal biology and biofuel productionPolymer composites and self-healingOxidative Organic Chemistry Reactions