At the laboratory of thermochemical processes, the focus of our research is on the valorization of wastes by thermochemical treatment. We perform both fundamental and applied research. Our research can be divided in two main parts.
The first part deals with the processing of waste biomass with an aim to obtain products with a higher added value. We perform pyrolysis for the production of biochar, carbonization to produce activated carbon sorbents and torrefaction to obtain coal-like high-energy-density materials.
The second part of our research deals with the chemical recycling of waste plastics. Chemical recycling offers the possibility of transforming waste polymeric materials back to their original monomers or other valuable chemicals which can be used as feedstocks in chemical and petrochemical industries. At our laboratory, we carry out thermal and thermo-catalytic pyrolysis for the chemical recycling of waste plastics.
The research goup also deals with hydrogen production using the catalytic (dry and steam) reforming of waste gases emerging from thermochemical treatment of both biomass and waste plastics.
Least but not last, the laboratory is devoted to fundamental and applied research in the field of anaerobic digestion. Primary objective is an efficient biogas and biomethane production via the bioconversion of biomass and other biowaste streams. Process modelling and microbiological evaluation are tools implemented for process optimization. Another research issue addressed in the premises of biochemical processes lab. includes the biogas upgrading with the implementation of a membrane technology and a sustainable valorisation of anaerobic digestion products and by-products for fertilizer, fuels and chemicals production. Dark fermentation and composting of organic streams constitute additional research themes tackled in the laboratory. Biochemical processes lab. scientists hold an extended experience in conducting biochemical methane potential assays (BMP), operating bench-scale digesters and composters, designing and constructing of lab- and pilot-scale modules, as well as scaling-up anaerobic digestion units from laboratory to pilot and industrial level. Biochemical processes lab. collaborates with a number of industrial biogas plants in the context of research and development projects whereas provides technical services under contractual agreements to several enterprises.
