Applications of PHAs

If a recommendation asks for a change in the process, the action must undergo a formal process hazard analysis (PHA) study, such as a HAZOP or other methodology, before implementation. This systematic and formal approach identifies and evaluates hazards associated with the proposed revisions. The study may uncover failure scenarios, adverse consequences, and obscure relationships that are not immediately apparent. The CCPS publication Hazard Evaluation Procedures i is an excellent guide to selection and proper application of PHA methodologies. 

Besides the fabrication of PHA films for oil blotting application, the hydrophobic property of PHA has also led to the use of this material for dye removal via adsorption in textile wastewater treatment. The potential application of PHA films as facial oil adsorbing material suggested that PHA films can also be used to adsorb other hydrophobic compounds. Many textile dyes are hydrophobic and may readily adsorb onto PHA films. Therefore, PHA films maybe used to remove textile dyes from wastewater. Solvent-cast P(3HB) films were found to remove approximately 38 % of color from textile dye wastewater. Electrospun PHA films may show better ability in adsorbing hydrophobic textile dyes. 

The application of PHA, on the basis of sustainable production processes, could also be further explored with a better understanding of the ecology of PHA-producing microorganisms [5]. 

Another potential application of PHA is as biomimetic adsorbents for wastewater purification. Wei and co-workers [36] prepared a new biomimetic adsorbent using a lipid-derived P(3HB) homopolymer. 

WiUiams SF, Martin DP (2002) Applications of PHAs in medicine and pharmacy. In Doi Y, Steinbtichel A (eds) Biopolymers polyesters III - applications, vol. 4. Wiley-VCH, Weinhein, pp. 91-103... 

No high volume applications of PHAs exist at present there are only trials and small pilot productions. Two perspective areas of applications are consida-ed here, namely health care and packaging. In the field of medical and pharmaceutical applications, the hydrolytic degradation of PHAs is required as the main degradation mechanism, while in environmental applications, enzymatic degradation mechanisms (biodegradation) are relevant. 

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