(643e) Comparative Analysis of L-L Separation and Vacuum Distillation As Cardanol Purification Alternatives and Its Effects on Final Product Properties: A Multiscale Approach

Cardanol, a long-chain phenol and a significant component of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), has garnered attention for its potential in the design of sought-after products for polymeric, fuels and lubricants industry. Traditionally, cardanol is purified by vacuum distillation (VD), but recent literature suggests using L-L separation procedures as potential alternatives for high-purity cardanol. However, little research has been done to understand the physicochemical differences that these separation processes may entail. This research aims to fill this gap, studying the effects of lab-scale VD and L-L separation on cardanol purification. It was found that VD favors the recovery of a pale yellow, low-viscosity cardanol product, while L-L separation results in a higher viscosity brown-reddish product. HPLC analysis revealed higher concentrations of cardanol among phenolic lipids in L-L separation, but VD showed acrolein content due to possible thermal degradation. These findings provide valuable insights for chemical engineers and product designers interested in cardanol purification in both laboratory and industrial settings oriented toward its use in the polymer and lubricant industry.