Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BIOALL (Biomass and CO2 valorisation to high value added chemicals)
Reporting period: 2021-09-01 to 2024-08-31
Biomass includes lots of waste in addition to things purposefully grown to produce fuels and chemicals. The valorisation of this waste is a great way to support a circular economy, address growing energy challenges and mitigate global warming. This can be achieved in biorefineries, where formic acid is often one of the main by-products. Formic acid is gaining increasing attention as a sustainable hydrogen source and safe reagent for transformations of biomass-based feedstocks given its non-toxicity and biodegradability. The EU-funded BIOALL project is harnessing the benefits of formic acid to convert biomass and CO2 into high added-value chemicals and fuels.
From the beginning of the project, we have focused on the selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde using formic acid as an in-situ hydrogen donor to produce crotyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol from furfural. The work performed, involved the characterization of catalysts and evaluation of their performance through the secondments of ESRs and ERs. We have successfully developed monometallic catalysts based on Cu and Re nanoparticles, as well as a bimetallic CuRe catalyst supported on high-surface-area graphite. The catalytic studies showed that formic acid effectively hydrogenated crotonaldehyde, with Re/G demonstrating high stability throughout the reaction. In contrast, Cu/G exhibited predominant selectivity toward butanal, likely due to its adsorption mechanism. Additionally, density functional theory simulations corroborated these findings, indicating that formic acid enhances selectivity by competing with reactants. In the liquid phase, we have developed monometallic catalysts supported on TiO2, ZrO2, and C3N4, with ReOx/C3N4 showing the highest selectivity for crotyl alcohol. We also explored furfural hydrogenation, where catalysts showed varying product distributions over time. As regards to the CO2 methanation, we observed increased activity with catalysts doped with La and Mg and supported on ZrO2. Also, improved conversion rates upon incorporating oxygen into the reaction mixture, highlighting the significance of the catalyst's support structure.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) component of the project focuses on evaluating the environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of wastes, in the context of upcycling technologies. The study aims to compare the end-of-life impacts of various disposal methods, such as incineration, landfilling, and upcycling, to identify the most environmentally sustainable option. Using a cradle-to-cradle approach, the LCA will assess the entire life cycle stages of microfibers, starting from their production processes, through to their eventual disposal or transformation into valuable carbonaceous products via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis. Key metrics such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and resource use will be evaluated, with a focus on critical impact categories like Climate Change, Toxicity, and Ecotoxicity. By employing the openLCA software alongside the ecoinvent database and the "Environmental Footprint" LCIA method proposed by the European Commission, the study will generate quantitative data on the environmental benefits of upcycling technologies. Additionally, this research will explore the feasibility of incorporating recovered materials back into the economy, thus promoting circularity and reducing the overall ecological footprint of wastes. The goal is to demonstrate that effective upcycling can significantly mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional microfiber disposal methods while contributing to sustainable material management practices.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) component of the project focuses on evaluating the environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of wastes, in the context of upcycling technologies. The study aims to compare the end-of-life impacts of various disposal methods, such as incineration, landfilling, and upcycling, to identify the most environmentally sustainable option. Using a cradle-to-cradle approach, the LCA will assess the entire life cycle stages of microfibers, starting from their production processes, through to their eventual disposal or transformation into valuable carbonaceous products via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis. Key metrics such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and resource use will be evaluated, with a focus on critical impact categories like Climate Change, Toxicity, and Ecotoxicity. By employing the openLCA software alongside the ecoinvent database and the "Environmental Footprint" LCIA method proposed by the European Commission, the study will generate quantitative data on the environmental benefits of upcycling technologies. Additionally, this research will explore the feasibility of incorporating recovered materials back into the economy, thus promoting circularity and reducing the overall ecological footprint of wastes. The goal is to demonstrate that effective upcycling can significantly mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional microfiber disposal methods while contributing to sustainable material management practices.
In this project, we have made significant advancements beyond the current state of the art by developing catalysts capable of hydrogenating biomass waste molecules using formic acid as hydrogen source in the gas phase. This innovative approach not only enhances the efficiency of biomass conversion but also promotes a sustainable method for utilizing waste materials. Furthermore, we have achieved notable progress in CO2 methanation, demonstrating improved performance through the inclusion of oxygen in the reaction stream when using La-promoted Ni/ZrO2 catalysts. This optimization leads to higher methane yields and demonstrates a promising route for CO2 utilization. As we approach the end of the project, we anticipate delivering results that highlight the effectiveness of our catalysts in both hydrogenation and methanation processes. The expected outcomes include comprehensive data on catalyst performance, stability, and selectivity, which will be critical for real-world applications. The potential impacts of our research extend beyond environmental benefits; by facilitating the conversion of biomass and CO2 into valuable products, we contribute to circular economy principles. Additionally, our findings could inform future developments in catalytic processes, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.