Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CO2SMOS (Advanced chemicals production from biogenic CO2 emissions for circular bio-based industries)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-05-01 bis 2022-10-31
The average temperatures have increased by 0.8 °C over the last 70 years. Along the last decade the global energy consumption has soared due to the increase of the population and industrialization. Anthropogenic CO2 emissions have rapidly grown in parallel with the consumption of fossil fuels, leading to an increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and, therefore, accentuating the problem of the global warming dramatically. Currently, Europe is producing a significant amount of CO2 from different biogenic sources (biogas, bioethanol fermentation processes, etc). Although there several measurements have been already implemented for the reduction of CO2 emissions, it is expected to find significant difficulties to meet the EU’s reduction target of 55% by 2030 as planned in the European Green Deal. Additional measures and policies will be deployed in EU focused on the development of negative emissions technologies, as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). To that end, the utilization of the biogenic CO2 streams along with renewable carbon feedstock, such as biomass, is a promising solution to produce low-carbon and long-life sustainable chemicals and biodegradable products. Thus, it has a strategic importance for the future of European bio-based industries. In this context, the CO2SMOS Project proposes a solution that combines a set of innovative biotechnological, electrochemical and catalytic conversion processes to produce added-value chemicals for their application into high-performance/biodegradable polymers and renewable (bio)chemicals by using biogenic CO2. The project will tackle the development and optimisation of a CO2 conversion technological toolbox to produce seven added-value chemicals and biomaterials: polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA and PHB), 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), long chain dicarboxylic acids (LcDCAs), BTEX and cyclic carbonates and hydroxycarboxylic acids (HCAs)) from the primary conversion of CO2 into two platform bulk chemicals (syngas and acetate). The proposed technologies will be tested and validated from lab (TRL 3-4) to pilot scale (TRL 5), including the final applications in the formulation of high-performance biomaterials & renewable chemicals.CO2SMOS project is based in on circular bioeconomy concept to covering the full value chain: from the biofeedstock suppliers and CO2-emitters to the industrial potential end-users, in particular, the renewable chemicals & biopolymer sectors. The final aim of the project is to develop an integrated biorefinery process, with zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions based on the use of biogenic CO2 as main feedstock. The following Scientific and Technological Objectives (STO) have been defined:
STO1: Advanced gas fermentation of CO2/H2 and CO2 derived syngas into acetate and C2-C4 chemicals.
STO2: Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2/H2O into green syngas and added-value chemicals.
STO3: Chemical conversion of CO2 by organic catalysts into cyclic carbonates from renewable feedstocks.
STO4: Advanced aerobic liquid fermentation for synthesis of high-added value intermediate chemicals.
STO5: Catalytic membrane reactor for syngas conversion to BTEX and PX
STO1: Advanced gas fermentation of CO2/H2 and CO2 derived syngas into acetate and C2-C4 chemicals.
STO2: Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2/H2O into green syngas and added-value chemicals.
STO3: Chemical conversion of CO2 by organic catalysts into cyclic carbonates from renewable feedstocks.
STO4: Advanced aerobic liquid fermentation for synthesis of high-added value intermediate chemicals.
STO5: Catalytic membrane reactor for syngas conversion to BTEX and PX
Work package 1:
Definition of the stakeholders’ requirements for the key components and functionalities.
Evaluation of the different types of biogenic CO2 emissions from the aimed bio-based industries and the most adequate bio-feedstock suppliers (CO2 purity, cost of supply).
Definition of the indicators for process assessment (performance, impact, socio-economic).
Definition of the processes value chains.
Work package 2:
Definition of the strategy and benchmarking of the current technologies for CO2 capture to be potentially implemented in the bio-based industries of the CO2SMOS project.
Protocols for the growth and maintenance of strains of M. thermoacetica and A. woodii, production of acetate, scale-up from 1 L to 10 L bioreactors.
Optimization of the lab-scale operating conditions of the CO2/H2/syngas fermentation for the production of acetate and downstream process on progress.
Development of an intensified electrochemical PEM-based reactor to produce syngas from CO2 and H2O in a single step is on progress with the following results achieved
Work package 3:
Optimisation of the syngas fermentation conditions at lab scale to obtain 2,3-BDO on progress. Acetate was produced from 3 carbon sources: fructose, syngas, and fructose plus syngas. 2,3-BDO has been produced by syngas fermentation.
Optimization of the conditions for this carbonation reaction of (+)-limonene 1,2-epoxide is ongoing with these selected catalysts to obtain the cyclic carbonate.
Study the influence of the acetate concentration and medium composition to optimise the fermentation productivities of PHA, PHB, 2,3- BDO and dicarboxylic acid on progress. Initial shake flask experiments.
Optimization of acetate fermentation process parameters for 2,3-BDO production is on progress.
Study of the selective electrocatalytic oxidation of glycols to HCAs is on progress.
Work package 5:
Lab-scale validation, and formulation of the different bioproducts and end-product is on progress. Biodegradable biopolyesters have been processed through extrusion technology in combination with other biobased raw materials and additives to obtain novel biodegradable and compostable biomaterials. Mechanical and rheological properties have been tested.
Work package 6:
KERs defined for application in preliminary market analysis and potential business models.
Exploratory qualitative study to determine users’ requirements and understand public reasoning and cognition regarding the CCU. International quantitative online study focusing on the consumers’ acceptance and adopters’ profiles regarding bio-products suitable to the aims of the project CO2SMOS is on progress.
Work package 7:
Development of an integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) within the framework of the CO2SMOS processes and technologies.
Work package 8:
Development of a Communication and Dissemination Plan and design of a visual identity of the project.
Design of the project website and social media channels aimed at the target stakeholders.
Realization of thematic workshops and consortium’s participation in conferences.
Presentation of CO2SMOS project at several relevant international conferences and events.
Work package 9-10:
Financial, ethical and administrative coordination of the Project is on progress
Definition of the stakeholders’ requirements for the key components and functionalities.
Evaluation of the different types of biogenic CO2 emissions from the aimed bio-based industries and the most adequate bio-feedstock suppliers (CO2 purity, cost of supply).
Definition of the indicators for process assessment (performance, impact, socio-economic).
Definition of the processes value chains.
Work package 2:
Definition of the strategy and benchmarking of the current technologies for CO2 capture to be potentially implemented in the bio-based industries of the CO2SMOS project.
Protocols for the growth and maintenance of strains of M. thermoacetica and A. woodii, production of acetate, scale-up from 1 L to 10 L bioreactors.
Optimization of the lab-scale operating conditions of the CO2/H2/syngas fermentation for the production of acetate and downstream process on progress.
Development of an intensified electrochemical PEM-based reactor to produce syngas from CO2 and H2O in a single step is on progress with the following results achieved
Work package 3:
Optimisation of the syngas fermentation conditions at lab scale to obtain 2,3-BDO on progress. Acetate was produced from 3 carbon sources: fructose, syngas, and fructose plus syngas. 2,3-BDO has been produced by syngas fermentation.
Optimization of the conditions for this carbonation reaction of (+)-limonene 1,2-epoxide is ongoing with these selected catalysts to obtain the cyclic carbonate.
Study the influence of the acetate concentration and medium composition to optimise the fermentation productivities of PHA, PHB, 2,3- BDO and dicarboxylic acid on progress. Initial shake flask experiments.
Optimization of acetate fermentation process parameters for 2,3-BDO production is on progress.
Study of the selective electrocatalytic oxidation of glycols to HCAs is on progress.
Work package 5:
Lab-scale validation, and formulation of the different bioproducts and end-product is on progress. Biodegradable biopolyesters have been processed through extrusion technology in combination with other biobased raw materials and additives to obtain novel biodegradable and compostable biomaterials. Mechanical and rheological properties have been tested.
Work package 6:
KERs defined for application in preliminary market analysis and potential business models.
Exploratory qualitative study to determine users’ requirements and understand public reasoning and cognition regarding the CCU. International quantitative online study focusing on the consumers’ acceptance and adopters’ profiles regarding bio-products suitable to the aims of the project CO2SMOS is on progress.
Work package 7:
Development of an integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) within the framework of the CO2SMOS processes and technologies.
Work package 8:
Development of a Communication and Dissemination Plan and design of a visual identity of the project.
Design of the project website and social media channels aimed at the target stakeholders.
Realization of thematic workshops and consortium’s participation in conferences.
Presentation of CO2SMOS project at several relevant international conferences and events.
Work package 9-10:
Financial, ethical and administrative coordination of the Project is on progress
Novel gas-liquid phase fermentation to produce acetate and 2,3-BDO from CO2/H2 and syngas using modified strains and improved operation protocols.
Novel direct electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 and H2O to syngas integrated in a single reactor and with water extraction.
Novel direct conversion of syngas to BTEX and PX conducted in a novel catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) with in-situ oxygen extraction with a ceramic membrane-based separation.
Novel paired electrolysis process (PCEC) for conversion of CO2/H2O to syngas & bio-based glycols to HCAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid)
Novel bio-based catalytic conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates.
Novel high-performance production processes of PHA, PHB, LcDCAs, 2,3-BDO through aerobic acetate fermentation.
Novel high-performance biomaterials, biodegradable polymers and renewable chemicals
Novel direct electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 and H2O to syngas integrated in a single reactor and with water extraction.
Novel direct conversion of syngas to BTEX and PX conducted in a novel catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) with in-situ oxygen extraction with a ceramic membrane-based separation.
Novel paired electrolysis process (PCEC) for conversion of CO2/H2O to syngas & bio-based glycols to HCAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid)
Novel bio-based catalytic conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates.
Novel high-performance production processes of PHA, PHB, LcDCAs, 2,3-BDO through aerobic acetate fermentation.
Novel high-performance biomaterials, biodegradable polymers and renewable chemicals