Sebacic Acid By-Product Polyester Polyol for Fertilizer Envelopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The sebacic acid by-product fatty acid, generated during the production of sebacic acid from castor oil, is typically discarded due to its complex composition and low industrial value, leading to environmental pollution and waste, with limited applications and high production costs associated with using alternative raw materials for controlled-release fertilizers.
Innovation Solution
A method to synthesize a sebacic acid by-product fatty acid polyester polyol through esterification reactions, which is then cross-linked with MDI to form a polyurethane controlled-release fertilizer envelope, utilizing the by-product as a raw material to create a stable, cost-effective, and degradable fertilizer envelope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If sebacic acid by-product fatty acid is discarded, then environmental pollution is avoided, but valuable resources are wasted and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful by-product fatty acid (which causes environmental pollution when discarded) into a beneficial raw material for synthesizing polyester polyol and controlled-release fertilizer envelopes. The fatty acid by-product is esterified with polyols to produce polyester polyol, which is then used to create biodegradable fertilizer envelopes, thus transforming waste into valuable resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the fatty acid by-product from the sebacic acid production process and gives it new life through chemical transformation. Instead of discarding the by-product, it is extracted and processed into polyester polyol, creating a circular economy approach where waste materials are recovered and reused in a valuable application.
2Reliability
If conventional castor oil is used as raw material, then controlled-release fertilizer envelope can be produced, but production cost is high and process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the raw material parameter from expensive castor oil to cheaper fatty acid by-product, while maintaining the chemical functionality needed for polyester polyol synthesis. The esterification process adapts to work with the by-product fatty acid composition, achieving similar envelope performance at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive castor oil raw material with a cheaper alternative (fatty acid by-product) to reduce production costs. The by-product is transformed into a functional polyester polyol that delivers comparable envelope performance, making the overall process more economically viable.
3Loss of energy
If by-product fatty acid is processed with high temperature cracking, then it can be utilized, but phenolic substances are added which are harmful to environment and human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameter from high-temperature cracking to mild esterification conditions. The esterification process occurs at lower temperatures and selectively reacts with the carboxyl groups of fatty acid without generating harmful phenolic substances, thus utilizing the by-product safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polyol as an intermediary substance that mediates the transformation of fatty acid by-product into polyester polyol. This intermediary approach allows for controlled chemical transformation under mild conditions, avoiding the need for harsh cracking processes that generate harmful by-products.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method comprehensively utilizes the sebacic acid by-product, reducing production costs and environmental impact by creating a high-performance, biodegradable polyurethane controlled-release fertilizer envelope with a long nutrient release period and excellent cost performance, addressing the waste and pollution issues associated with the by-product.
Implementation Method 1
A method to synthesize a sebacic acid by-product fatty acid polyester polyol through esterification reactions
Implementation Method 2
which is then cross-linked with MDI to form a polyurethane controlled-release fertilizer envelope
Data Source
AI summary
A polyester polyol is synthesized through an esterification reaction with a sebacic acid by-product fatty acid as a raw material; wherein the sebacic acid by-product fatty acid is refined from a by-product produced during preparing a sebacic acid from a castor oil; the sebacic acid by-product fatty acid includes, in weight percentage: a palmitic acid 15-25%, a stearic acid 10-16%, an oleic acid 45-57%, and a linoleic acid 12-28%. A method for preparing the polyester polyol is provided, as well as a polyurethane controlled-release fertilizer envelope and a polyurethane controlled-release fertilizer. The sebacic acid by-product fatty acid is used as a raw material to synthesize the polyester polyol because of a low price. The prepared fertilizer has excellent envelope and controlled-release performance, product structure performance is stable, cost performance is high, and degradation performance is sufficient after being applied to soil.