• An integral approach for the production of bioenergy (biomethane and green hydrogen) from wastewater treatment plants as part of a sustainable energetic transition

    WWTP2GREENFUELS

    About us

WWTP2GREENFUELS PROPOSAL

WWTP2 GREENFUELS PROPOSAL

Bioenergy is considered a key source to meet EU 2020 energetic targets such as GHGs emission reduction, energy security and economic growth. It can contribute to replace fossil fuels in all energy markets. Other renewable sources, such as solar and wind, can easily be applied to produce heat and electricity but they show strong intermittent loads. Therefore, bioenergy will be more promoted to produce intermediate energy carriers such as renewable biomethane and green H2, which can be utilized on demand and therefore provide flexibility to the energy system. Moreover, the utilization of bioenergy shall be promoted to replace fossil fuels, especially coke, in the process industries such as the metallurgy, cement, aluminum or paper and pulping. These industry sectors release around 21% of GHGs emissions. Therefore, intermediate bioenergy carries such as biomethane and green hydrogen for process industry application would be much appreciated.

Renewable biomethane can be used as intermediate energy carrier for gas-grid injection pathway to balance the power grid and to increase the flexibility of the energy system. On the other hand, biomethane generated from the wastewater plant, as it is proposed in this project, can be used as a fuel or raw material for the steel industry or can be also upgraded to produce green hydrogen by different reforming strategies. The development of efficient catalytic formulations for the dry-, steam- , and bi-reforming of biogas will allow to develop new industrial technologies to produce green hydrogen at large scale.

The main objective of this project is

to investigate and develop innovative approaches to produce bioenergy

(Biomethane and green hydrogen) from lowquality biogenic feedstock produced by a wastewater plant

the preparation and application of novel catalysts

for dry and steam reforming based on structured metals and transition metal oxides supported on anionic clays, perovskites and other low cost and recyclable supports

Contribute to the UN sustainability goals

● Affordable and clean energy, ● Decent work and economic growth, ● Industrial, innovation and infrastructure, ● Sustainable consumption and production and ● Climate changes.

The main aim of this project is to study in a microplant scale the anaerobic codigestion to produce a methane enriched biogas with lower hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen compounds contents, the conversion of biogas into natural gas (biomethane) and the production of green hydrogen by dry and steam reforming and bireforming, and its further purification by water gas shift reaction combined with CO2 capture. The proposal includes the preparation of novel catalysts for dry and steam reforming based on structured metals and transition metal oxides supported on anionic clays, perovskites and other low cost and recyclable supports (i.e., shell eggs), and the corresponding purification processes to attain high purity biomethane or green hydrogen apt as biofuels with low contents of hydrogen sulfide, water, and siloxanes and without CO2 emission. The proposed catalysts will be compared with commercial ones, and all the processes will be modeled to define the best option for its application in a WWTP.

With experience in the field of adsorption and catalysis

Sinergetic skills of the groups and subprojects

The project is very ambitious, covering different aspects, and will be executed by two different groups, specialized each one in specific tasks. While each subproject can stand alone, some targets have interrelated aspects among the groups, which will allow them to proceed in a more efficient way than that achieved by working separately, sharing the knowledge and research facilities of the groups.

subproject 1

Biomethane and Hydrogen
Production and Purification from
an Anaerobic Digester.

  • CO2, H2S and NH3 capture
  • Gas separation
  • Surface Analysis
  • Adsorbents preparation
  • Codigestion
  • Multiphysics Modeling

IP 1: Enrique Rodriguez Castellón
IP 2: Juan Manuel Paz García

subproject 2

Innovative Catalytic Formulations for Dry Reforming and WGS Reactions and their Impact in the Sustainable Production of Green Hydrogen from Biogas

  • Thermocatalytic valorization of CO2
  • Thermocatalytic ODH of ethane and CO2
  • Hydroformilation of olefins with CO2
  • Operando characterization
  • In-situ tests

IP 1: José Manuel López Nieto
IP 2: Patricia Concepción Heydorn

The University of Malaga (UMA), with a group consisting of the joint participation of Chemists, Chemical Engineers and Biologists, of the Departments of Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Microbiology, with vast experience in Catalysis, Separation and Codigestion. In addition, three foreign collaborators from Universidade Federal do Ceará (Brasil) and University of Bologna (Italy) with experience in Adsorption and Catalysis participate in the UMA group.

The combined group of the University of Malaga (UMA) has a long experience in the preparation of mesoporous and structured materials with application as adsorbents of toxic gases, such as H2S and CO2, surface characterization and catalytic processes, and on the co-digestion processes including modeling and environmental and engineering studies.

OUR TEAM

Our research team is made up of the following professors and researchers:

Members of the University of Malaga team gathered

NameAcronym
Enrique Rodríguez CastellónERC
José Jiménez JiménezJJJ
Juan Antonio Cecilia BuenestadoJACB
María Olga Guerrero PérezMOGP
Juan Manuel Paz GarcíaJMPG
José Miguel Rodríguez MarotoJMRM
César Gómez LahozCGL
Carlos Vereda AlonsoCVA
NameAcronym
M.V. Martínez de Yuso GarcíaMVMY
Ana Arango DíazAAD
María Dolores Márquesjygjyg
Patricia Benito MartínPBM
Alcineia OliveiraAO
María Villén GuzmánMVG
Elena Rodríguez AguadoERA
Ana Lucena SerranoALS
Daniel Ballesteros PlataDBP
Diana C.S. AzevedoDCA
Silvana Tapia PaniaguaSTP
Isabel Barroso MartínIBM
Brahim ArhounBA
María M. Cerrillo GonzálezMMCG
Postdoctoral Contract 1PC1
Postdoctoral Contract 2PC2

ITQ laboratory

NameAcronym
José Manuel López NietoJMLN
Patricia Concepción HeydornPCH
Marcelo E. Domine MaccariMED
NameAcronym
Marisa B. NavasMVN
José Soriano RodríguezJSR
Mª Dolores Soriano RodríguezMDS
Carmen Tebar SolerCTS
Adelina Muñoz AlgabaAMA
Technician Contract (required)TC1
Technician Contract (required)TC2

State-of-the-art of Green biomethane and hydrogen production

The anaerobic digestion process in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a complex process with several organic matter degradation steps:

  1. The Hydrolysis of the organic matter converts it into soluble organic compounds;
  2. Acidogenesis transforms these compounds to intermediates materials (volatile fatty acids and alcohols);
  3. Acetogenesis mainly produces acetate, carbon dioxide and hydrogen;
  4. and finally, in the Methanogenesis process, acetate is oxidized into biogas (a mixture of CH4 and CO2 in approximately 3:2 proportion, with traces of impurities such as water, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrogen and siloxanes)

The use of biogas to produce green hydrogen is a mature technology in some aspects.

The most common hydrogen production methods using biogas as primary source are:

I. a biogas-to-hydrogen plant through steam reforming (SR); and

II. a biogas-to-hydrogen plant through autothermal reforming (ATR).

Figure 2: Configurations of a biogas-to-hydrogen plant based on the steam reforming process (B2H_SR), based on the autothermal reforming process (B2H_ATR) and based on dry reforming process (B2H_DR).

A newer and innovative option is dry reforming (DR) for obtaining syngas (CO + H2), which can be after, by water gas shift reaction, transformed to pure hydrogen or directly used in a high temperature fuel cell (SOFC) to produce electricity and heat. The plants using the SR, ATR and DR are able to produce high-pressure hydrogen, heat, and electricity for self-sustaining the energy consumption for purification, compression, and storage of the produced hydrogen. These plants are proposed as on-site hydrogen production plants for the development of novel refueling stations (see Figure 2).

The steam reforming-based configuration show the best performance in terms of hydrogen production energy-based efficiency and hydrogen production energy-based efficiency. Moreover, it represents the best solution also considering the co-production of heat and hydrogen, while the autothermal reforming process layout is more exothermic and can be indicated when a larger local heat demand exists.

On the other hand, dry reforming is an innovative route to avoid the emission of CO2 since implies the reaction of CO2 with CH4 to produce H2. In the three processes, the incorporation of a Water Gas Shift unit is obliged to purify hydrogen for its use in low temperature fuel cell (i.e., PEM fuel cell). On the other hand, steam reforming and autothermal reforming are the two major techniques for conversion of CH4 in biogas to H2 and CO, and dry reforming for conversion of CH4 and CO2 in biogas to H2 and CO, which then can be used for the production of liquid fuels or used directly in a high temperature fuel-cells (SOFC).

Given that biogas consists of a mixture of CH4, H2O and CO2, upgrading biogas into H2 and CO (syngas) without further CO2 separation by dry/steam reforming can be a viable option. It is important to note that dry reforming offers an environmentally-friendly way to convert CO2 into combustible gas (CO). Steam reforming process requires pressurized steam (3–20 bar) to expedite the conversion of 8 de 35 CH4 into syngas, while dry reforming occurs at atmospheric pressure. Thus, dry reforming available at atmospheric pressure enables an integration of biogas and dry reforming process with no installation of complicated facilities to connect atmospheric pressure biogas plant and dry reforming reactor.

Figure 3: Green hydrogen production by dry reforming connected to a WGS unit where a bifunctional catalyst is used to produce a high purity H2 (green hydrogen) and CO2. CO2 can be used again in the dry reforming unit.

In addition, another important novelty will be introduced with the application of an additional hydrogen purification unit based on sorption enhanced water gas shift reaction. Bifunctional catalysts will be used in this unit in order to produce highly pure green hydrogen stream via simultaneous capturing and sequestration of the CO2 produced in the WGS process. In this process, the captured CO2 will be released during a second catalyst regeneration step and recycled in the dry reforming unit avoiding its emission to the atmosphere (Figure 3). In this direction, catalyst stability and lifetime are important aspects to be considered.

As indicated above, the presence of water in the gaseous mixture, together with methane and CO2, would allow the combined use of dry and steam reforming, in the so-called “bi-reforming”. Indeed, steam reforming of methane is currently, together with water electrolysis, the most economical and widely used method for obtaining hydrogen. Similarly to the dry reforming, this process can be represented by steam reforming (endothermic), water-gas shift (exothermic) and CH4 + 2H2O = CO2 + 4H2, endothermic. Since dry reforming generally increases the tendency for coke formation, the addition of H2O to the reactive mixture can improve the stability of the catalytic systems.

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OBJECTIVES, METHODOLOGY AND WORK PLAN

OBJETIVES:

The main objective of this project is to investigate and develop an integral and innovative approach to produce bioenergy (biomethane and green hydrogen) from low-quality biogenic feedstock produced in a wastewater plant. To achieve this objective is required to achieve the specific objectives of each one of the subprojects. The objectives have the main purpose of valorizing biogas, a renewable raw material derived from biomass to produce alternative biofuels (biomethane and green hydrogen). In this way it is possible to reduce the emission of methane and CO2.

The fulfillment of these objectives will allow us to improve the capacities of valorization of biogas obtained from disposable wastes. Obtaining green hydrogen through economic procedures is therefore one of the main objectives of the project, which will also result in the reduction of pollutant emissions into the environment.

Figure 5. Diagram of the installation of the laboratory anaerobic digester, with agitation and temperature control, pH and redox potential monitoring, and sludge feeding and sampling systems, and removal, quantification and sampling of the biogas produced

The objectives of the different subprojects participating in the proposal can be summarized as:

Subproject 1:

1. To increase the flow and the quality of biogas produced in the anaerobic digestor of a WWTP (higher CH4 concentration, lower H2S content) by codigestion with fruit and vegetable wastes or garden wastes.

2. To identify different sources of fruit and vegetable wastes and selection of the more adequate for codigestion. The study in a microplant the best codigestion parameters

3. To transform biogas into biomethane with low contents H2S, H2O, NH3 and siloxanes.

4. To develop models to study de scaling-up of all processes for their possible implementation at a near WWTP, for scaling up, and studing of the economic and environmental viability of the different processes.

Subproject 2:

1. Design, synthesis, characterization, and optimization of efficient catalysts for the production of syngas by dry-reforming, with low carbon production and/or resistant to coke deposition.

2. Identification of the optimal window of working conditions that allows to improve the catalytic activity, selectivity and stability biogas of dry reforming and bifunctional WGS catalysts.

3. To understand the fundamental reaction mechanisms of dry reforming of biogas, including carbon depositions, catalyst lifetime, and catalyst regeneration conditions for metal-based catalysts.

4. To increase the understanding of the mechanisms and kinetics of catalytic WGS reaction on catalysts containing bifunctional sites (WGS and CO2 adsorption).

In order to achieve the project objectives, the project has been designed in work packets (WP) with different tasks:

  • WP1 Design of the codigestion process
  • 1.1. Selection and evaluation of the possible residues for co-digestion and LCA.
    1.2. Evaluation of the process and study of process variables over the quality changes in the biogas and biosolids.
  • WP2 Transformation of biogas into biomethane
  • 2.1. Preparation and characterization of adsorbents.
    2.2. Design of the biogas purification process.
  • WP3: Hydrogen production
  • 3.1. Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of dry reforming catalysts.
    3.2. Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of Steam and Bi-reforming catalysts.
    3.3. Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of bifunctional WGS catalysts.
    3.4. Fundamental study of the reaction mechanism using operando spectroscopy.
    3.5. Catalyst optimization.
  • WP4 Modeling
  • 4.1. Modeling of the anaerobic digestion and codigestion process.
    4.2. Modeling of the biomethane production.
    4.3. Modeling of the hydrogen production.
  • WP5 Management and dissemination
  • 5.1. Project management and scientific coordination.
    5.2. Dissemination, exploitation, and communication.
    5.3. Data management.
    5.4. Risk analysis and contingency plan.
1
2
3
4
5
1

WP1 Design of the codigestion process

1.1. Selection and evaluation of the possible residues for co-digestion and LCA.

1.2. Evaluation of the process and study of process variables over the quality changes in the biogas and biosolids.

2

WP2 Transformation of biogas into biomethane

2.1. Preparation and characterization of adsorbents.

2.2. Design of the biogas purification process.

3

WP3: Hydrogen production

3.1. Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of dry reforming catalysts.

3.2. Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of Steam and Bi-reforming catalysts.

3.3. Synthesis, characterization, and optimization of bifunctional WGS catalysts.

3.4. Fundamental study of the reaction mechanism using operando spectroscopy.

3.5. Catalyst optimization.

4

WP4 Modeling

4.1. Modeling of the anaerobic digestion and codigestion process.

4.2. Modeling of the biomethane production.

4.3. Modeling of the hydrogen production.

5

WP5 Management and dissemination

5.1. Project management and scientific coordination.

5.2. Dissemination, exploitation, and communication.

5.3. Data management.

5.4. Risk analysis and contingency plan.

Figure 4. Scheme of Raw biogas upgrading

Published Works, Projects, Contracts, Conference Communications

1) Autores: L. Ruíz-Rodríguez, A. de Arriba; A. Vidal-Moya; T. Blasco; E. Rodríguez-Castellón; J.M. Lopez Nieto
Título: The role of promoters on the catalytic performance of MxV2O5 bronzes for the selective partial oxidation of H2S
Ref. revista: Applied Catalysis A: General https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2022.118900
Clave: Volumen: 647 Páginas, inicial: 118900 final: Fecha: 2022

2) Autores: J.A. Cecilia, E. Vilarrasa-García. N. Chouikhi, R. Morales-Ospino, S. Besghaier, M. Chlendi, M. Bagane, M. Bastos-Neto, D.C.S. Azevedo, E. Rodríguez-Castellón
Título: Activated Carbons synthesized from sucrose using porous clay heterostructures as template for CO2 adsorption
Ref. revista: Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scca.2022.100006
Clave: Volumen: 1 Páginas, inicial: 100006 final: Fecha: 2022

3) Autores: I. Barroso-Martín, J. A. Cecilia, E.Vilarrasa-García, D. Ballesteros-Plata, C.P. Jiménez-Gómez, Á. Vílchez-Cózar, A. Infantes-Molina, E. Rodríguez-Castellón
Título: Modification of the textural properties of chitosan to obtain biochars for CO2-capture processes
Ref. revista: Polymers https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235240
Clave: Volumen: 14 Páginas, inicial: 5240 final: Fecha: 2022

4) Autores: M.S. Souza, A.J. Martins, J.A.S. Ribeiro, A. Campos, A.C. Oliveira, R.F. Jucá, G.D. Saraiva, M.A.M. Torres, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, R.S. Araujo
Título: Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx by CO over Cu(Fe)/SBA-15 Catalysts: Effects of the Metal Loading on the Catalytic Activity
Ref. revista: Catalysts doi.org/10.3390/catal13030527
Clave: Volumen: 13 Páginas, inicial: 527 final: Fecha: 2023

5) Autores: N. Spigariol, L. Liccardo, E. Lushaj, E. Rodríguez-Castellon, I. Barroso Martin, F. Polo, A. Vomiero, E. Cattaruzza, E. Moretti
Título: Titania nanorods array homojunction with sub-stoichiometric TiO2 for enhanced methylene blue photodegradation
Ref. revista: Catalysis Today https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2023.114134
Clave: Volumen: 119 Páginas, inicial: 114134 final: Fecha: 2023

6) Autores: N. Schiaroli, L. Negahdar, M. Lützen, P.H. Ho, L.J. Allen, A. Natoli, F. Ospitali, F. Maluta, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, C.D. Damsgaard, G. Fornasari, A,M. Beale, P. Benito
Título: Efficient low-loaded ternary Pd-In2O3-Al2O3 catalysts for methanol production
Ref. revista: Journal of Catalysis https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2023.05.012
Clave: Volumen: 424 Páginas, inicial: 140 final: 151 Fecha: 2023

7) Autores: D.G. Della Rocca, M. Schneider, F.C. Fraga, A. De Noni Júnior, R.A. Peralta, E. Rodríguez-Aguado, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, R.F.P.M. Moreira
Título: A comprehensive insight into the parameters that influence the synthesis of Ag2MoO4 semiconductors via experimental design.
Ref. revista: Journal Materials Science: Materials in Electronics https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-10897-7
Clave: Volumen:34 Páginas, inicial:1500 final: Fecha: 2023

8) Autores:R. de C.F. Bezerra, G.Mota, R.M.B. Vidal, G.D. Saraiva, A.C. Oliveira, A.J.R. Castro, R.S. Araújo, E. Rodríguez-Aguado, J. Jiménez Jiménez, E. Rodríguez-Castellón
Título: Multifunctional properties of alumina-based graphene nanocomposites as catalysts for esters of glycerol production
Ref. revista: Molecular Catalysis https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcat.2023.113427
Clave: Volumen: 548 Páginas, inicial: 113427 final: Fecha: 2023

9) Autores: A. Raeisi, A. Najafi Chermahini, M. Esmaeilzadeh Khabazi, M. Mohsen Momeni, R. Luque, A. Pineda, E. Rodríguez Castellón, C. Vargas Fernández
Título: Preparation of a novel BiVO4-Ni(II)/g-C3N4 bifunctional photo electrocatalyst for oxidative and absorptive desulfurization of model fuel
Ref. revista: Journal of Alloys and Compounds https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.172025
Clave: Volumen: 968 Páginas, inicial: 172025 final: Fecha: 2023

10) Autores: L. Hejji, A. Azzouz, L. Pérez-Villarejo, E. Castro, S. Badredine, E. Rodríguez-Castellón
Título: Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 based on magnetic solid phase extraction for determination of organic UV filters in environmental water samples
Ref. revista: Chemosphere https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140090
Clave: Volumen: 341 Páginas, inicial: 140090 final: Fecha: 2023

11) Autores: M.E Potter, S. Mediavilla-Madrigal, E. Campbell, L.J Allen, U. Vyas, S. Parry, A. García-Zaragoza, L.M. Martínez-Prieto, P. Oña-Burgos, M. Lützen, C.D Damsgaard, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, N. Schiaroli, G. Fornasari, P. Benito-Martin, A.M. Beale
Título: A High Pressure Operando Spectroscopy Examination of Bimetal Interactions in ‘Metal Efficient’ Palladium/In2O3/Al2O3 Catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation
Ref. revista: Angewandte Chemie International Edition https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202312645
Clave: Volumen: 62 Páginas, inicial: e202312645 final: Fecha: 2023

12) Autores: D.G. Della Rocca, A. De Noni Jr., E. Rodríguez-Aguado, R. Aparecida Peralta, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, G. Li Puma, R.F.P.M. Moreira
Título: Mechanistic insights on the catalytic ozonation of trimethoprim in aqueous phase using geopolymer catalysts produced from mining waste
Ref. revista: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering DOI:10.1016/j.jece.2023.111163
Clave: Volumen: 62 Páginas, inicial: 111163 final: Fecha: 2023

13) Autores: J.A. Cecilia, E. Vilarrasa-García, D.C.S. Azevedo, A. Vílchez-Cózar, A. Infantes-Molina, D. Ballesteros-Plata , I. Barroso-Martín, E. RodríguezCastellón
Título: Valorization of wipe wastes for the synthesis of microporous carbons and their application in CO2 capture, gas separation and H2-storage.
Ref. revista: Heliyon https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20606
Clave: Volumen: 9 Páginas, inicial: e20606 final: Fecha: 2023

14) Autores: A.J. Martins de Farias, A. da Silva, A. Oliveira, J.V. do Carmo, G. Saraiva, R. Juca, M. Morales, R. Lang, J. Jimenez-Jimenez, E. Rodriguez-Castellon
Título: Catalytic Performances of the Nano FeCo Solids for Biofuel Additives Production: Incorporation of Promoters Effects on the Stability of the Catalysts
Ref. revista: Energy and Fuels https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c02881
Clave: Volumen: 37 Páginas, inicial:17328 final:17344 Fecha: 2023

15) Autores: A.F. Crespi, P.N. Zomero, A.L. Pérez, C.D. Brondino, A. Infantes Molina, Y. Garro Linck, G.A. Monti, M.A. Fernández, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, J.M. Lázaro-Martínez.
Título: Montmorillonite materials with paramagnetic metal complexes: structural studies and catalytic degradation of emerging pollutants
Ref. revista: Journal of Environmental of Chemical Engimeering https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.111420
Clave: Volumen: 11 Páginas, inicial:111420 final: Fecha: 2023

16) Autores: M. Algueró, L. Zia, R. Jiménez, H. Amorín, I. Bretos, A. Barreto, G.H. Jaffari, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, P. Ramos, M.L. Calzada
Título: Bulk-like ferroelectricity and magnetoelectric response of low-temperature solution-processed BiFeO3-PbTiO3 films on Ni for metallic MEMS
Ref. revista: APL Energy https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0172616
Clave: Volumen: 1 Páginas, inicial: 036108 final: Fecha: 2023

17) Autores: D. Tavares Guimarães; L.M. Ramos Mendes; L.B. de Sousa Sabino; E. Sousa de Brito; E. Vilarrasa-García; E. Rodríguez-Castellón; J.A. Cecilia; I.J. da Silva Junior
Título: Partial purification of anthocyanins (Brassica oleracea var. Rubra) from purple cabbage using natural and modified clays as adsorbent
Ref. revista: Adsorption Science and Technology https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2724122
Clave: Volumen: 2023 Páginas, inicial: 2724122 final: Fecha: 2023

18) Autores: A. Misol, I. Giarnieri, F. Ospitali, A. Ballarini, J. Jiménez-Jiménez, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, V. Rives, F. Martín Labajos, G. Fornasari, P. Benito
Título: CO2 hydrogenation over Ru hydrotalcite-derived catalysts
Ref. revista: Catalysis Today https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2023.114362
Clave: Volumen: 425 Páginas, inicial: 114362 final: Fecha: 2024

19) Autores: P.A.S. Moura, E.D.S. Ferracine, E. Rodríguez-Aguado, D.A.S. Maia, D.C. Melo, S. Valencia, D. Cardoso, F. Rey, M. Bastos-Neto, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, D. C. S. Azevedo
Título: Assessment of the stability of LTA zeolites under natural gas drying TSA conditions
Ref. revista: Catalysis Today https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2023.114410
Clave: Volumen: 427 Páginas, inicial:114410 final: Fecha: 2024

20) Autores: M.R. Oliveira, Y. Teles Barbosa, T.S. Lima Da Silva, J.A. Cecilia , E. Rodríguez-Castellón, S.M. Egues, J.F. De Conto
Título: One-pot synthesis and surfactant removal from MCM-41 by microwave irradiation
Ref. revista: Molecules https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29020460
Clave: Volumen: 29 Páginas, inicial: 460 final: Fecha: 2024

21) Autores: M. Schneider, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, M.O. Guerrero-Pérez, D. Hotza, A. De Noni Junior, R.F.P.M. Moreira
Título: Advances in Electrospun Composite Polymer/Zeolite and Geopolymer Nanofibers: A Comprehensive Review
Ref. revista: Separation and Purification Technologies https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.126684
Clave: Volumen: 340 Páginas, inicial: 126684 final: Fecha: 2024

22) Autores: C. Galdeano-Ruano; S. Gutiérrez-Tarriño; C.W. Lopes; J. Mazarío; L.E. Chinchilla; G. Agostini; J.J. Calvino; J.P. Holgado; E. Rodríguez-Castellón; A. Roldán; P. Oña-Burgos
Título: Developing and Understanding Leaching-Resistant Cobalt Nanoparticles via N/P Incorporation for Liquid Phase Hydroformylation
Ref. revista: Journal of Catalysis https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2024.115374
Clave: Volumen: 431 Páginas, inicial: 115374 final: Fecha: 2024

23) Autores: D.A.S. Maia, T.M. Azevedo, D.S. Pereira, R.A.M. Castro, B.O. Nascimento, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, M. Bastos-Neto, D.C.S. Azevedo
Título: Water vapor adsorption on small pore ion-exchanged zeolites
Ref. revista: Adsorption https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-024-00442-1
Clave: Volumen: on line Páginas, inicial: final: Fecha: 2024

24) Autores: D.G. Domínguez-Talamantes, D. Vargas-Hernández, J.T. Hernández-Oloño, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, M. Arellano-Cortaza, S.J. Castillo, J.C. Tánori-Córdova
Título: Enhanced photocatalytic activity of FeSO4 in a ZnO photocatalyst with H2O2 for dye degradation
Ref. revista: Optik https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2024.171753
Clave: Volumen: 304 Páginas, inicial: 171753 final: Fecha: 2024

25) Autores: D.A. Valdivieso-Vera, G.A. Flores-Escamilla, J.J. Cano-Gómez, I. Barroso-Martín, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, I.A. Santos-López, M.O. Guerrero-Pérez
Título: Effect of Nb as dopant of hydrotalcite catalysts during the ethanol condensation to optimize n-Butanol production
Ref. revista: Catalysis Today https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114658
Clave: Volumen: 433 Páginas, inicial:114658 final: Fecha: 2024

26) Autores: F. Zorzetto, D. Ballesteros-Plata, A. Perosa, E. Rodríguez-Castellón, M. Selva, D. Rodríguez-Padrón
Título: Orthogonal assisted tandem reactions for the upgrading of bio-based aromatic alcohols using chitin derived mono and bimetallic catalysts
Ref. revista: Green Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1039/D3GC04848A
Clave: Volumen: On line Páginas, inicial: final: Fecha: 2024

27) Autores: P. Jabbari, A.N. Chermahini, R. Luque , A. Pineda , E.Rodríguez Castellón
Título: Synthesis of Cu-doped TiO2 modified BiVO4 for photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization (PODS) of a model fuel
Ref. revista: Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology, A: Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2024.115625
Clave: Volumen: 452 Páginas, inicial: 115625 final: Fecha: 2024

Published Works

List of works published in scientific journals.

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The role of promoters on the catalytic performance of MxV2O5 bronzes for the selective partial oxidation of H2S

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Activated Carbons synthesized from sucrose using porous clay heterostructures as template for CO2 adsorption

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Titania nanorods array homojunction with sub-stoichiometric TiO2 for enhanced methylene blue photodegradation

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The role of promoters on the catalytic performance of MxV2O5 bronzes for the selective partial oxidation of H2S

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Activated Carbons synthesized from sucrose using porous clay heterostructures as template for CO2 adsorption

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Titania nanorods array homojunction with sub-stoichiometric TiO2 for enhanced methylene blue photodegradation

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Conference Communications

Participations in conferences.

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Zeolite/Geopolymer composites with hierarchical porosity manufacture by 3D printing for applications in CO2 capture

Congress: 9th Czech-Italian-Spanish Conference On Molcular Sieves and Catalysis

  • SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

    WWTP2GREENFUELS

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

socio-economic IMPACT

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The present project is in line with the European target of low-carbon Energy, and contribute to the UN sustainability goals Affordable and clean energy, Decent work and economic growth, Industrial, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, Sustainable consumption and production and Climate changes.

In particular, one of the goals of the project is increase the production of biogas and reduce the level of impurities contributing to the deployment of improved bioenergy technologies. The implementation of co-digestion process during anaerobic fermentation followed by biogas upgrading eliminating contaminants such as H2S, NH3 are key aspects in this project.

The co-digestion of FVWs and/or garden residues together with the mixed sludge of the WWTP will represent very important benefits not only for the municipal WWTP, but also will mitigate the important environmental problems associated with these organic residues reaching the municipal landfill, while creating good-quality jobs in the region. Also, this technology could be implemented in many other facilities with similar conditions throughout the Mediterranean and many other places around the world. The by-products (digestate production) quantity and quality will also improve, promoting opportunities for a circular economy of nutrients such as P (within the EU list of critical raw materials). This will also allow the WWTP to provide a comprehensive management of local residues.

The disposal of high quality biogas is of great interest in the energetic sector, reducing the dependence of fossil fuels, and preserving the existing infrastructure, storage facilities, compressor and pipelines, with an important economic benefit. In addition, in a second part of the project, biogas upgrading to produce green hydrogen of high purity will be considered. The final idea of the WWTP is to supply hydrogen to a future hydrogen station for its own consume, or even used for transport vehicles of the municipalities. This will raise Spain a point on the supplier scale of biomethane and Hydrogen, and will contribute to a secure energy supply and job creation.

This project could be the starting point to generate a larger project with consortia at regional, national and European level, but especially, could be a long-term stable employment generator, which not only helps the protection of the environment, but also to the development of poor countries.

As social interest, this project will show the potential of bioenergy to contribute to a sustainable environment, based on material recycling, zero-net CO2 emission, and resource sufficiency.

As a summary, the present project aims to bring together the following socio-economic benefits:

Simple, robust and flexible digestion technology

The utilisation of non-conventional biomass wastes by using the simple, robust and flexible digestion technology that allows to exploit feedstock having high humidity and/or ash content, otherwise left to decompose naturally producing CH4 (very harmful greenhouse gas) or openly burned or converted with low efficiency and high environmental impacts. This will give the opportunity to waste water treatment plant (WWTP) to have economic advantages 32 de 35 of selling their wastes to produce biomethane or hydrogen or realising their plant for internal use.

new market for anaerobic digestion and reforming process manufacturers

The technologies of generation of biomethane and green hydrogen proposed in the project will open a new market for anaerobic digestion and reforming process manufacturers giving the opportunity to increase efficiency and reduce emissions and to the chemical manufacturers to enter the biomass from WWTP and energy market.

Lower greenhouse gas emissions

The use of WWTP to offset the use of fossil fuels can lower greenhouse gas emissions. The mitigation of atmospheric greenhouse gases has a beneficial effect on the climate change, water quality, human health and in decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.

Promote H2 production from biogas

Accelerate the deployment of bioenergy technologies. Promote H2 production from biogas from anaerobic digester of WWTP.

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