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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Environmental Performance of Alternative Green Polyol Synthesis Routes: A Proposal for Improvement

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Author(s):
Carvalho, Kaccnny [1] ; Alves, Rita M. B. [1] ; Kulay, Luiz [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Polytech Sch, Chem Engn Dept, USP, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 580, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: PROCESSES; v. 9, n. 7 JUL 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

This study verified the environmental effectiveness of potentially less aggressive routes for the synthesis of poly(propylene/ethylene oxide) glycol (PPG). The analysis was developed in two stages. Firstly, the environmental performance of the conventional PPG processing route was compared to alternative variants-vegetal PPG and CO2-based PPG-applying the life cycle assessment technique to measure the primary energy demand, global warming potential, acidification, photochemical oxidation, and freshwater ecotoxicity impact categories. The synthesis of vegetable polyols from bio-based assets, such as vegetable oils, and the application of CO2 conversion routes as an alternative to technologies supported by petroleum and natural gas were studied. The use of CO2 recovered through carbon capture and usage practices resulted in environmental gains for PPG production. The processing routes within vegetal assets were not an environmentally attractive option as the performance was worse than the conventional arrangement by 144% for the global warming impact category, an increase related to the deforestation carried out to expand soybean cultivation in Brazil. Secondly, improvement scenarios to mitigate the environmental impacts of alternative routes were performed. The hypothesis of using cleaner inputs to obtain a more ecofriendly route was tested. The analysis concluded that the use of high-purity CO2 brings fewer benefits compared to other capturing sources that need a purification process before feeding the PPG synthesis. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
Grantee:Julio Romano Meneghini
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Applied Research Centers Program