A bunch of researchers have produced a biopolyol substance by liquefying plant supplies reminiscent of beet pulp, tomato, pepper, lavender and thyme pulp, and pea and crimson kidney bean shells in Eskişehir Technical University laboratories and have utilized for a patent.
Within the scope of the Zero Waste Project, a gaggle of analysis college students from Eskişehir Technical University (ESTU) receive polyols, “one of the basic inputs of polyurethane and polyurethane composites used as insulation materials, by liquefying plant wastes which is one of the main objectives of the relevant industry stakeholders,” mentioned Murat Erdem, a professor from the college’s Chemistry Department.
It was launched in 2018 with a group consisting of Erdem, retired lecturer professor Hayrettin Turk, affiliate Bilge Erdem, analysis assistant Emre Akdoğan, graduate college students Ahmet Erdem and Duygu Kırat, and chemist Furkan Çolakoğlu.
The analysis group produces inflexible polyurethane foams from biopolyols obtained by liquefying plant supplies reminiscent of sugar beet pulp, tomato, lavender, thyme and pepper pulp, and pea and crimson kidney bean pods with a particular technique.
The lecturers additionally add some chemical compounds to the biopolyol to acquire polyurethanes with some extra efficiency properties reminiscent of improved sound and warmth insulation, flame retardancy, and antimicrobial impact.
Experts who produce polyols, that are outlined as natural compounds containing a number of hydroxyl teams and are largely imported, from plant wastes have utilized for a patent to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Institute, particularly for the product used as warmth and sound insulation product in areas reminiscent of residence home equipment, protection, area, aviation and building.
Erdem defined that polymer supplies are largely produced from petroleum-based and non-renewable assets.
Stating that the environmental issues brought on by oil consumption and the elevated manufacturing prices as a result of worldwide value insurance policies associated to grease, the dependence of polymers on non-renewable assets have turn out to be a good greater downside.
“The use of biological-based resources in polymer production has become one of the most important research topics of our time. When concepts such as renewable-based resources, sustainability, green chemistry and the like are the subject, polyurethanes, which we are working on, are the first polymers that come to mind. Basically, they are obtained by the reaction of diisocyanates and polyols. Polyurethanes, produced and consumed in the global market, are currently one of the polymers with the highest production and consumption. One of the most important inputs for polyurethanes is polyol. Reducing the production and consumption of petroleum-derived polyols and replacing them with biopolyols is one of the main goals of researchers, institutions and companies.”
Erdem said that he has been working with postgraduate and doctoral college students on the manufacturing of biopolyol and particularly on inflexible polyurethane foams, that are used extensively in thermal insulation.
Explaining that they’ve been working for 4 years to acquire biopolyols from biomass with the acid-catalyzed solvothermal liquefaction technique, Erdem mentioned: “We liquefy the compost material used as a mushroom seed host in the production of sugar beet pulp, tomato, pepper, lavender and thyme pulp, pea and kidney bean pods, olive pomace and oyster mushroom production. Grape-based waste material released during the production of hardaliye, the local drink of the Kırklareli region, is among the materials that we can liquefy and obtain biopolyol from,” he defined.
Emphasizing that they enhance their financial worth by making biopolyol from biomass that seems as waste, Erdem mentioned: “We can reach 95% efficiency depending on the type of biomass in the liquefaction processes. We can obtain biopolyol in about two hours, including the separation and purification processes. At the end of the liquefaction process, the waste material produced depends on its efficiency. We evaluate this material, which we call secondary waste, within the scope of the zero waste concept within these processes. In other words, we also add value to the waste of waste.”
The Zero Waste Project has led Türkiye’s struggle in opposition to local weather change. The initiative primarily goals to deliver the nation in keeping with sustainable growth ideas, forestall uncontrolled waste and depart a “cleaner, developed” nation to future generations.
The Zero Waste Project is the brand new identify for recycling in Türkiye since 2017. It has gained traction with a wide range of recycling strategies because of first woman Emine Erdoğan, who began the nationwide marketing campaign to disseminate the concept of minimizing trash to the general public. The venture goals to extend Türkiye’s recycling charge to 35% by 2023, whereas creating employment for some 100,000 folks within the recycling business and saving $2.3 billion (TL 20 billion) yearly.
