Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) Biomass as Substitute for Expanded Polystyrene in Bonded Leveling Compounds

Abstract

Biomass for non-food applications is considered as a substitute for petro-based materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS). This research analyzes physical properties of an EPS containing commercial bonded leveling compound (BLC) which was substituted with cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) biomass. Cup plant is a high-yielding biomass plant with several ecological benefits that is yet mainly used for biogas production. Furthermore, the high amount of parenchyma in senescent biomass with its EPS-like structure could be a possible substitute for petrochemical foams in lightweight aggregates. The natural variation in parenchyma content of several European cup plant accessions is promising, regarding the development of cultivars with suitable biomass properties for the proposed material use. Two binders with different proportions of cup plant and EPS were used to produce samples of BLC for thermal conductivity and compression strength tests. The compression strength of 0.92 N mm−2 and a thermal conductivity of 84 mW m−1 K−1 were analyzed and comparable to the commercial BLC. The thermal conductivity within the tested borders appears nearly independent of the biomass content. With increasing cup plant content, the shape characteristics of the lightweight aggregate mix changes towards more elongated aggregates. The mechanical strength and thermal conductivity are highly sensitive to the water demand of the biomass. Direct partial substitution of EPS by cup plant appears feasible and could be a part of the decarbonization of the construction sector.

Characteristics of Selected Silphium Species as Alternative Plants for Cultivation and Industry with Particular Emphasis on Research Conducted in Poland: A Review

“…The collected biomass of plants previously used in phytoremediation can be used in the production of building materials. The results indicate that late-harvested S. perfoliatum biomass could be a biobased substitute for EPS in bonded leveling compounds [221]. Another application of S. perfoliatum after phytoremediation may be the use of this biomass in the production of paper and packaging materials.…”

“…In addition, the authors concluded that the cultivation of S. perfoliatum on contaminated soil precludes the use of the plants for fodder purposes [220]. Biomass for non-food applications is considered as a substitute for petro-based materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) [221]. The collected biomass of plants previously used in phytoremediation can be used in the production of building materials.…”

Evaluation of the Intra- and Interspecific Development of Different Accessions of Silphium perfoliatum L. and Silphium integrifolium Michx.

“…The data collection period of the field trial ranged from 26 May 2020 (34 days after sowing (DAS)) to 23 November 2021 (580 DAS), during which the development of the plant was documented weekly. Vegetative growth referred to the counting of nodes on the rosette as well as on the shoot.…”

“…Harvesting, as well as utilization, of any kind, in the first year of cultivation, should generally be avoided due to low yields and possible damage to the plants. A versatile usage of the second year biomass is possible [10,23,55]. Often, the time of harvest and the associated developmental stage or maturity is crucial for the use [19,23].…”

“…A versatile usage of the second year biomass is possible [10,23,55]. Often, the time of harvest and the associated developmental stage or maturity is crucial for the use [19,23].…”