Decarbonization of transport for the benefit of society: enhancing sustainability with the integration of biochemical and thermal routes in the integral use of biomass

• Grant number: 23/09789-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Silvio Silvério da Silva
• Grantee: Silvio Silvério da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: George Jackson de Moraes Rocha ; Júlio César dos Santos
• Associated researchers: Ademar Hakuo Ushima ; ADRIANA GARCIA ; Amit Bhasin ; Ana Paula de Souza Silva ; Anand Sreeram ; Attilio Converti ; Avinash Prabhakarrao Ingle ; Carlos Eduardo Driemeier ; Danielle Julie Carrier ; Danilo Eiji Hirayama ; Denis Correa Meyer ; Felipe Fernando Furlan ; Fernanda Belizário Silva ; Gabriela Papoulias França ; Héctor Arturo Ruiz Leza ; Joachim Venus ; Kamilla Vasconcelos Savasini ; Liedi Legi Bariani Bernucci ; Mahendra Kumar Rai ; Maria das Graças de Almeida Felipe ; Nagamani Balagurusamy ; Pâmela Coelho Tambani ; Paulo Ricardo Franco Marcelino ; Renata Moreira ; RULY TERAN HILARES ; Sudip Kumar Rakshit ; Valdeir Arantes ; Vanderley Moacyr John ; Vittor Rodrigues Santos Alves
• Associated research grant(s): 25/02287-2 - Advancing Sustainable Pavements through Biomaterial Innovations (BIO-PAVE), AP.R; 25/03024-5 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2023/09789-8: paralel stirred tank biorreactor Multifors 2, AP.EMU; 25/03027-4 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2023/09789-8: gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer, AP.EMU; 25/03028-0 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2023/09789-8: slow pyrolysis plant, AP.EMU
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/08441-3 - Study of process intensification for the production of biogas and second-generation ethanol from carbohydrate fractions derived from lignocellulosic biomass, BP.DD; 25/07697-4 - Development of a fast pyrolysis and gasification process for lignin, BP.TT; 25/02510-3 - Development of Methods to Enhance Biorefineries: Advances with Metallic Nanoparticles in Pretreatment, Saccharification, and Fermentation/Anaerobic Digestion Steps, BP.TT; 25/02946-6 - Development and implementation of methods for the production and physicochemical characterization of bioproducts derived from lignocellulosic biomass conversion with applications in the transportation sector, BP.TT

Abstract

Biorefineries of lignocellulosic materials have the potential as environmentally sustainable alternatives for the production of biofuels and other materials of interest to the transportation infrastructure sector. In Brazil, due to the importance of the sugarcane industry, sugarcane bagasse and straw are abundant lignocellulosic materials with high potential for contributing as a carbon and energy source for various applications. However, for their viability, biorefineries require the complete utilization of raw materials. Thus, in the present project, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research groups will work together to generate scientific, technological, and innovative knowledge applicable to the national transportation sector. The theme emerged from extensive team discussions regarding its significance to society. Specifically, the comprehensive utilization of sugarcane bagasse and straw for the production of biofuels and materials relevant to the transportation sector through biochemical and thermochemical routes is proposed. This central thematic axis will facilitate the development of technically, economically, and environmentally viable processes for the production of biofuels such as ethanol and biogas, as well as biobinders and biocarbon for application in the transportation infrastructure sector. The project is divided into four main thematic lines: i. carbohydrate bioconversion; ii. lignin thermoconversion; iii. materials for transportation infrastructure; iv. economic and environmental sustainability. These lines are planned to be developed in an integrated and synergistic manner among the involved research groups. The biochemical routes will focus on utilizing the carbohydrate fractions of the materials for ethanol and biogas production, while the thermochemical routes will focus on using lignin for bio-oil and biocarbon production. The biomass pretreatments will be tailored to each evaluated route and material under study. Additionally, from the project's inception, economic and environmental feasibility assessments will be conducted using process simulation tools, enabling the identification of technological barriers and guiding research toward achieving internationally significant scientific results and innovative technology applicable to the national production sector. (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)

PRADO, CARINA ALINE; DA SILVA, ANA JULIA E. B.; FERNANDES, PAULO A. F. H. P.; SHIBUKAWA, VINICIUS P.; JOFRE, FANNY M.; RODRIGUES, BRUNA G.; DA SILVA, SILVIO SILVERIO; MUSSATTO, SOLANGE I.; SANTOS, JULIO CESAR. Hydrodynamic Cavitation-Assisted Photo-Fenton Pretreatment and Yeast Co-Culture as Strategies to Produce Ethanol and Xylitol from Sugarcane Bagasse. CATALYSTS, v. 15, n. 5, p. 14-pg., 2025-04-24. (16/10636-8, 20/12059-3, 23/09789-8, 20/16638-8)

LIMA, CAIO A.; CONTATO, ALEX G.; DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; DA SILVA, SILVIO S.; HIDALGO, VITOR B.; IRFAN, MUHAMMAD; GAMBARATO, BRUNO C.; CARVALHO, ANA K. F.; BENTO, HEITOR B. S.. Trends in Enzyme Production from Citrus By-Products. PROCESSES, v. 13, n. 3, p. 18-pg., 2025-03-06. (23/09789-8, 21/09175-4)