Atmospheric pressure liquefaction of dried distillers grains (DDG) and making polyurethane foams from liquefied DDG

Fei Yu; Zhiping Le; Paul Chen; Yuhuan Liu; Xiangyang Lin; Roger Ruan

doi:10.1007/s12010-007-8040-z

Atmospheric pressure liquefaction of dried distillers grains (DDG) and making polyurethane foams from liquefied DDG

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2008 Mar;148(1-3):235-43. doi: 10.1007/s12010-007-8040-z. Epub 2007 Oct 2.

Authors

Fei Yu¹, Zhiping Le, Paul Chen, Yuhuan Liu, Xiangyang Lin, Roger Ruan

Affiliation

¹ Department of Forest Products, Mississippi State University, Box 9820, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.

PMID: 18418755
DOI: 10.1007/s12010-007-8040-z

Abstract

In this study, dried distillers grains (DDG) was liquefied in acidic conditions at atmospheric pressure, and polyurethane foams were subsequently prepared from the liquefied DDG. Liquefaction was examined over a range of conditions including liquefaction time of 1-3 h, temperature of 150-170 degrees C, sulfuric acid (as catalyst) concentration of 1.0-3.0 wt%, and liquefaction solvent (ethylene carbonate) to DDG ratio of 3:1-5:1. The bio-polyols in the liquefied DDG were rich in hydroxyl groups, which can react with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) to form cross-linked polyurethane networks. The biodegradability of the prepared polyurethane foams was also evaluated. This study strives to broaden the application of DDG as a feedstock for bio-polyurethane preparation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Atmospheric Pressure
Chemical Fractionation / methods*
Edible Grain / chemistry*
Gases / chemistry*
Polyurethanes / chemistry*
Solutions

Substances

Gases
Polyurethanes
Solutions