Study of technologies for increasing competitiveness of industrial biodiesel and glycerol plants in the context of a biorefinery

• Grant number: 19/27111-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2020
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Agreement: CONFAP - National Council of State Research Support Foundations
• Principal Investigator: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Grantee: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Antonio Esio Bresciani ; Caio Luis Santos Silva ; Elen Aquino Perpetuo ; Leonardo Sena Gomes Teixeira ; Maria Luiza Andrade da Silva ; Martin Schmal ; Rita Maria de Brito Alves
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/09848-1 - Evaluation of the production process of 1,3-propanediol by biotechnological route, BP.TT

Abstract

This proposal refers to an interdisciplinary scientific, technological and innovation research project in the area of renewable energy, aiming at increasing the competitiveness of industrial biodiesel plants through the enhancement of glycerol co-product, with the concept of a biorefinery. Biodiesel is one of the main sources of renewable energy in the country, surpassing even wind energy. From this project, it is expected the formation of high-level human resources through the training of two doctors and five masters and the orientation of four undergraduate students in research activities. The methodology involves the following steps: (i) Evaluation of the global and national market of glycerol and its derivatives, with definition of the most promising products, which will be considered in the subsequent stages; (ii) Environmental Impact Analysis; (iii) Production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol, in particular by chemical route using unpublished heterogeneous catalysts; (iv) Elaboration of Conceptual Design of conversion and separation / purification process technologies to obtain the selected products; (v) Technical and economic feasibility study for obtaining selected products from glycerol; (vi) Production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol by biotechnological route using different microorganisms. Thus, the project has a technological and innovative aspect and should contribute to the technological development of the states of Bahia and São Paulo, adding value in the biomass-biofuel chain, as one of the main sources of renewable energy in the country and for the protection considering the various products that can be obtained in a biorefinery. The project will be developed in the laboratories of the Analytical Research, Development and Innovation Group (IDEIA) of the Institute of Chemistry - IQ / UFBA in partnership with the Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering PPEQ / UFBA in partnership with the Laboratories of the Center for Systems Engineering. Chemicals (CESQ) / USP / Biotechnology Laboratory, Catalytic Process Research and Innovation Laboratory (LaPCat / USP) and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (Dempster / USP) and Process Simulation and Control Laboratory (LSCP), contributing to the integration of institutions and the strengthening of the graduate programs of these institutions. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GUERRA, GABRIEL N.; NETO, GUILHERME J. MUSSE; ALVES, RITA M. B.; PONTES, LUIZ A. M.. Conceptual process and surrogate optimization of acrylonitrile production from glycerol via green propylene. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2023-08-16. (19/27111-3)