ARS | Publication request: THE USE OF VEGETABLE OILS IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Submitted to: US-Japan Coop Pgm on Dev and Util of Natural Products Abstracts Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 19, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Veg. oils are used in various indus. applications such as emulsifiers, lubricants, plasticizers, surfactants, plastics, solvents and resins. Research and development approaches take advantage of the natural properties of these oils. Veg. oils have superb environmental credentials, such as being inherently biodegradable, having low ecotoxicity and low toxicity towards humans, being derived from renewable resources and contributing no volatile organic chemicals (VOC). At the Oil Chem. Res. Unit (ARS, USDA, NCAUR), our principle efforts focus on modifying the chem. and physical properties of veg. oils (emphasizing soybean oil), to enhance their use as an additive or as a major component of value added industrial products. One example is the preparation of veg. oil based ink vehicles and formulations. They are cost competitive with petroleum based inks and have better quality factors and environmental properties such as biodegradability, lower VOC and good deinkability. Veg. oils also have potential as renewable sources for diesel engine fuels. Oil Chemical Research Unit seeks to develop biodiesel with reduced exhaust emissions (especially NOx) and improved cold flow properties. Approaches focus on cetane improvers, enhanced understanding of (pre) combustion chemistry, modified winterization techniques and development of cold flow properties.