The PERFORM project is finalized - new process concepts have been developed and demonstrated from feedstock to pilot plant, for two demonstration cases (“lines”). Glucose feedstock selection and processing has been analysed and reported early in the project, and a detailed evaluation has been done on competitive technologies. Here it is confirmed that the PERFORM technologies score high from the perspective of green chemistry: 1) Electrocatalytic conversion is regarded to be safer, since it is operated with water as solvent and at ambient pressures and lower temperatures 2) Electrocatalytic conversion eliminates the need for H2 or O2 gas. This reduces risks and reduces the CO2 footprint of the process. 3) Increased Energy efficiency: the targeted process is run at ambient conditions. The energy consumption can be finely controlled by the applied electrical potential. 4) Renewable feedstock is used, eliminating the need for fossil carbon 5) renewable electricity is used, eliminating the need for fossil fuels / energy.
Electrode materials for the two lines, for anodes and cathodes have been developed and optimized. A performance (“Faradic yield”) has been reached within the targets for the Line 1 anode (towards maleic acid), the Line 2 anode (towards glucaric acid) and the Line 1 cathode (towards valeric acid).
A major effort has been done to design and develop the integrated process and PowerPlatform system which would be able to run both lines. Not only for the electrochemical conversions, but additionally for the downstream processing (DSP), recycles and product extraction and purification. Different options were researched and processes tested at lab scale. The specifications of the process, the design and test of the electrochemical reactors, the DSP process and units have been established. Finally the integrated process at lab scale has been demonstrated and reported. This work lead to the design and realization of the pilot platform units. The picture shows the realized upstream electrochemical unit and the ED unit, the main parts of the PowerPlatform and the main outcome of the project.
A testing campaign has been executed demonstrating successfully the production of maleic acid at pilot scale, and the production of glucaric and valeric acid at bench scale. Using the produced outputs, application testing has been carried out, leading to the production of plastic sheet material with excellent properties.
Life cycle assessment and life cycle costing in different scenario’s was used to evaluate the impact on global warming potential. A complete process model (“digital twin”) has been developed with which it is possible to analyse scale-up and energy efficiency improvements. A market assessment shows the overall market attractiveness of the PERFORM technologies.
Finally, a large number of dissemination and training activities have been taken place. Documents, video’s, recording of workshops and the whitepaper can be found on the PERFORM website:
https://performproject.eu/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie). The project also achieved a strong presence on social media in different channels, such as LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
