Rigid Polyurethane (PUR) Foams from Wood Processing and Wood Biorefinery Residues

This dataset supports the development of bio-based rigid PUR foams derived from wood processing and biorefinery residues. Two types of rigid PUR foams are developed and characterized: 1. Rigid PUR Foams from Suberinic Acids (SA) and Tall Oil Fatty Acids: Materials and Methods: Suberin depolymerization technology is adjusted to produce three distinct SA types with varying polyphenol contents. SA-based polyols are synthesized and utilized as base polyols in rigid PUR foam formulations with an isocyanate index of ~120. Furthermore, more sustainable flame retardants, such as ammonium polyphosphate, triethyl phosphate, and graphite, are explored as alternatives to tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP). Reference PUR foam compositions are formulated using commercial polyether polyols. Key Metrics: Viscosity, hydroxyl value, and acid number of the polyols. Apparent density, thermal conductivity, compression strength, thermal analysis, and flammability (Cone calorimeter test) are assessed for rigid PUR foams formulated with SA and tall oil-derived polyols. 2. Rigid PUR Foams from Carbohydrate-Enriched Extractives: Materials and Methods: Carbohydrate-enriched extractives are isolated from pine bark via pressurized water extraction and modified with propylene carbonate (PC) in the presence of tertiary amine catalysts to create liquid polyols. These polyols are tested in free-rise PUR foam compositions with an isocyanate index of ~110–115. The bark remaining after hot water extraction is ground in a planetary mill and incorporated into PUR foam compositions as an additive filler. PUR foam compositions based on commercial polyether polyols, such as Lupranol 3300 and Lupranol 3422, are used as references. Key Metrics: Analytical techniques, including gas chromatography (GC) and wet chemistry methods, are used to evaluate the extractives. The viscosity, hydroxyl value, and acid number of the polyols are analyzed as functions of the PC/OH ratio and catalyst concentration. High pine bark content foams are characterized by compression performance, thermal stability, combustion properties (Cone calorimeter test), closed-cell content, and thermal conductivity.