Production of biobased polyurethan from olive pomace

In this study, the conversion of olive pomace into polyols by liquefaction in glycerol and the synthesis of rigid polyurethane foam from polyols were investigated. For this purpose, the effects of the parameters temperature, reaction time and catalyst amount applied in the liquefaction process on the liquefaction efficiency, OH number of the liquid product, acid number, viscosity and hardness of the polyurethanes were investigated using the response surface method and rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized from the liquid product using isocyanate. The structures of the liquid products and polyurethanes were elucidated by FTIR, 1H NMR, and gel permeability chromatography (GPC), TGA, SEM, and Shore D hardness analyzes. The percentages of conversion from pomace to liquid product ranged from 30.30% to 86.50%. The hydroxyl value, acid value, density and viscosity of the liquid product obtained as a result of the liquefaction process were 1163-1396 mg KOH/g, 9.35-33.66 mg KOH/g sample, 1.20-1.34 g/ml and 87 It was found between -110 mPa.s, respectively. As the temperature and amount of acid increased, the yield, viscosity and acid number of the liquid product increased, while the OH number decreased. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of the OH group of the liquid products and the NH group of the synthesized polyurethanes. SEM images showed that the polyurethanes consisted of cells with an average size of 0.25 mm, and it was found that the polyurethanes had a Shore D hardness of 25.5-39.1. This study showed that olive pomace can be used for the production of high quality biopolyols and PU foams. Key Words: Olive Pomace, Liqufaction, Solvolysis, Polyol, Polyurethane foams, Glycerol, Response Surface Methodology