Valorization of sugarcane by-products through synthesis of biogenic amorphous silica microspheres for sustainable cosmetics

Ashes from sugarcane by-product incineration were used to synthesize silica powders through alkaline hot extraction, followed by ethanol/acid precipitation or the sol–gel method. Both production methods allowed amorphous spherical silica microparticles with sizes ranging from 1–15 μm and 97% purity to be obtained. Water absorption ranged from 135–155 mL/100 g and 150–250 mL/100 g for precipitated silica and silica gel, respectively, while oil absorption ranged from 305 to 390 and from 250 to 350 mL/100 g. The precipitation with ethanol allowed the recovery of 178 g silica/kg ash, with a lab process cost of EUR 28.95/kg, while the sol-gel process showed a yield of 198 g silica/kg ash with a cost of EUR 10.89/kg. The experimental data suggest that ash from sugarcane by-products is a promising source to be converted into a competitive value-added product, minimizing the environmental impact of disposal problems.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Escoamento de fluidos elásticos e ligeiramente pseudoplásticos em torno de um cilindro

Tese de mestrado. Fundamentos e Aplicações da Mecânica de Fluidos. 2006. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Port

Utilization of β-farnesene distillation and evaporation residues for the production of green polyol and its subsequent conversion to polyurethane foams

Valorization of β-farnesene distillation and evaporation residue (FDR) through transformation into bio-based polyols. Production of rigid polyurethanes using green methodologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synthesis of thermoset elastomer from microbial oil derived from the fermentation of sugarcane

In the context of the 21st century, the integration of diverse perspectives within the circular economy framework, encompassing waste management, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, stands out as a paramount challenge. Addressing this challenge, an innovative avenue emerges through the application of microbial oil to replace traditional petroleum in the synthesis of essential commodity chemicals. This groundbreaking study takes a significant step toward this goal by introducing a pioneering polyester material boasting an exceptionally high renewable content. This material is synthesized through melt polycondensation, utilizing a novel primary feedstock derived from the oily residue extracted post-distillation of β-farnesene (FDR). The ingenious approach involves fermenting sugarcane syrup using a genetically engineered yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The outcome of this study reveals the creation of an amorphous polymer with rubber-like attributes. These attributes include a Young's modulus of 3.9 MPa, with a maximum elastic strain and tensile stress values of 185.4% and 510 KPa, respectively, along with distinctive strain-hardening characteristics. Remarkably, this material also exhibits indications of shape memory behavior in a temperature range spanning from 47 to 12C, as discerned from dynamic mechanical analysis. Evidently, this novel polymer demonstrates exceptional promise in the realm of low-temperature applications. Its intrinsic ability to uphold mechanical integrity, even when subjected to substantial deformations within its service conditions, positions it as an invaluable resource for various components requiring resilience in challenging environments.Work funded by AICEP (Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal, E. P. E) through Alchemy – Capturing High Value from Industrial Fermentation Bio Products. Granting agency: Portugal 2020, European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Additional financial support by the FCT under the framework of Strategic Funding grant: UID/CTM/50025/2020 and grant: CEECINST/00018/2021 is also acknowledged