Development of Bio-Based Low-Conductivity Material from Second-Generation Biofuel Remnants

The pursuit of thermal comfort in buildings is one of the main sources of energy consumption worldwide. To mitigate this expenditure, thermal insulation is required in construction. However, most conventional insulation materials come from non-renewable resources. Recently, different alternatives for generating more environmentally friendly insulation from biomass have been studied. However, when using biomass, care must be taken to avoid negatively impacting the food industry. One way to address this is to use biomass waste from previous manufacturing processes. The use of waste from the production of biofuel derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis) for the manufacture of thermal insulation was successfully implemented. Castor beans were collected and used to obtain biofuel. The waste was mixed with construction materials (lime, marble dust, and cement) in different concentrations. A device for measuring thermal conductivity was built and validated. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) are presented to characterize the material. A decrease in thermal conductivity was found in the construction material depending on the presence of micelle remnants left after oil extraction.