Polyols and Polyurethanes from Crude Algal Oil

The composition of crude algal oil was analyzed and determined by several methods. Oil was converted to polyols by ozonolysis, epoxidation, and hydroformylation. Ozonolysis gave a polyol with lighter color but a low OH number and was unsuitable for polyurethane applications. Epoxidation also improved the color and gave a polyol with an OH number around 150 mg KOH/g, which with diphenylmethane diisocyanate gave a homogeneous, rubbery, transparent sheet. Desirable rigid foams were prepared with the addition of water to the formulation. Hydroformylation was carried out successfully giving an OH number of about 150 mg KOH/g, but the polyol was black. Casting the polyurethane sheet was difficult due to the very high reactivity of the polyol. Polyurethane foam of lower quality than from epoxidation polyol was obtained. More work on optimization of the foaming system would improve the foam. Crude algal oil is a viable starting material for the production of polyols. Better results would be obtained from refined algal oils.