Projects / Programmes
Chemical Reaction Engineering
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2019
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T350 |
Technological sciences |
Chemical technology and engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.04 |
Engineering and Technology |
Chemical engineering
|
catalysis; chemical reaction engineering; reactors; transport phenomena;methane valorization;oxidative methane coupling; partial oxidation of methane; biomass transformation; transformation of levulinic acid
Researchers (47)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0104 |
National Institute of Chemistry |
Ljubljana |
5051592000 |
20,997 |
Abstract
The research program of the group is aimed at methane valorization and biomass processing. In the first case, activation of methane will be studied through coupling, partial oxidation and photochemical reforming, for the purpose of obtaining ethylene and higher hydrocarbons, or other value added chemicals via syngas as intermediate product. In the second case, transformation of levulinic acid into higher-value chemicals will be investigated. All the research will be focused on finding the proper catalyst that would ensure optimal chemical paths and conditions that guarantee maximum yield of the desired product, with the rate laws (kinetics) provided for all the paths in the system. Postulated and experimentally checked kinetic equations will be later used for the description of the operation at commercial scale and the economic assessment of the process feasibility.
Significance for science
Because more than 90 % of all commercial chemical processes are catalytic in nature, searching for new catalytic systems and providing kinetics of these potential systems may occupy important part of research efforts in numerous research institutions. The present group research activity is thus directed into the search for new catalytic systems that would offer efficient conversion of methane into more added value chemicals such as ethylene and other lower olefins. Here one can expect new catalysts and a development of new reactor types with short residence time and good heat management. In the area of biomass conversion an intensive research is going to be directed into new catalysts for efficient transformation of alcohols and acids, which are obtained from biomass into a more added value chemicals. In both cases new potential catalyst are to be characterized by means of a modern tools available at the Institute. Process kinetics is provided in a form of formal kinetic equations, whereas in the cases of new reactor design is needed it will be mathematically modeled by means of CFD. Since many aspects of new discovery are foreseen the results can be easily disseminated in international journals of high ranking.
Significance for the country
The research group has been active in cooperation with foreign (Sued Chemie and KTI-Mannesmann) and domestic industrial partners (Krka, Lek). The group has also contributed in the research activities within the EU Frame Program (5 & 6). Aspiration towards practical solutions the group has already demonstrated in patents granted by an EU Patent Office as well as by US and Japan Patent Offices. Further activity in the area will undoubtedly expand the group vast expert knowledge of chemical process design and process intensifications. It should be stressed at this point that there is a need for continuous cooperation with a spin-out SME (Mebius), which was founded by the group.
The group partakes in the establishment of numerous trans-European cooperation within the framework of several Horizon 2020 project proposals (SPIRE, WASTE and LCE 2014 calls), whereas the readiness for cooperation in similar calls in 2015 is already expressed. Here a specific effort was placed on the integration of leading Slovenian industrial partners. In addition to the listed, several ERA-NET and a Nato project were submitted within the scope of the Research Programme, while more than a few connections have been established with the aid of IJS Technology Transfer Centre that is within EEN platform.
Three members of the group are involved in teaching courses at both undergraduate and graduate level of the Chemical Engineering Program at the University of Ljubljana. Thus, education and integration of PhD students into a research process enables the group to transfer their knowledge into the industrial environment.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
