ARS | Publication request: INDUSTRIAL USES OF SOYBEAN OIL

Submitted to: Soybean Research World Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 7, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Veg. oils are used in various industrial applications such as emulsifiers, lubricants, plasticizers, surfactants, plastics, solvents and resins. Research and develop. 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 chemical and physical properties of vegetable 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 Chem. Res. 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 develop. of cold flow properties.