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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88959
Title: THE USE OF VEGETABLE OILS IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Author
item Erhan, Sevim
item Dunn, Robert
item Knothe, Gerhard

Submitted to: US-Japan Coop Pgm on Dev and Util of Natural Products Abstracts Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

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.