To enable the sustainable transformation of chemical industry towards circular economy, it is imperative to replace fossil resources by biomass or waste alternatives. A particular challenge for this transformation, is to ensure the availability of key chemical intermediates, which are necessary to produce the multitude of different final products. As the chemical compositions of biomass or waste substrates differ significantly from fossil resources, they offer another priviledged intermediate structures. A particular challenge to obtain from biomass or waste sources, are the essential C3 compounds propylene and propane, which are however, essential for chemical industry.
Therefore novel, sustainable process concepts are required that enable the conversion of biobased resources into precisely these C3 compounds. The goal of this project is to develop an innovative process, coupling biochemical and electrocatalytic reaction steps, that allows the conversion of biobased substrates (wood, food waste) into propylene or propane.
The coupling of bio- and electrocatalysis allows the utilization of mild reaction conditions, which are less energy intensive, compared to standard thermal processes.
Beside the improved sustainability of the coupled process, another significant innovation is the ability to convert various feedstocks, by adaption of the biocatalytic step. Beside the C3 target products, the process will also yield hydrogen as valuable secondary product, from the electrochemical step. Therefore, the project will allow the development of an efficient and sustainable pathway from waste to C3 products and hydrogen. The substrate flexibility and modular nature of the process, will allow its implementation in various value chains (chemical industry, biomass processing or waste conversion sector).
The key findings of the project will be the firstly the coupled bio-electrochemical process, to convert various biobased substrates into propylene or propane.
This will include an improved biocatalytic reaction step from waste to butyric acid, as central intermediate. It is crucial that the reaction conditions of the biocatalysis are compatible with downstream electrocatalysis, considering reaction medium and salt loading.
The establishment of structure-activity relations for the electrocatalytic step, will allow the development of improved electrode materials for the conversion of butryric acid to propylene (or propane), with higher stability and product selectivity.
The coupled process shall then be demonstrated for conversion of relevant substrates and concepts for implementation in relevant industrial value chains shall be developed (based on Life Cycle and Technoeconomic analyses).
