BrainMap

Mrs. Elena-Emilia Sirbu

- Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Other affiliations

Associate Professor - UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI ()

Researcher | Teaching staff | PhD supervisor

Curriculum Vitae (14/02/2024)

Expertise & keywords

Desulfurarea prin piroliza catalitica a pudretei de cauciuc in vederea modificarii bitumului rutier Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0552 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: ATICA CHEMICALS S.R.L.

Project partners: ATICA CHEMICALS S.R.L. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.aticachemicals.ro/index.php/proiecte/proiecte-cercetare

Abstract:

The diminution of the deterioration of the road infrastructure and the prevention of the appearance of phages is realized by modifying the road bitumen with polymers of elastomeric type that ensures the elastic return of the asphalt. The aim of the project is to develop an innovative technology on an industrial pilot scale for the manufacture of an elastomer for the modification of road bitumen by devulcanizing the used rubber powder. The innovative character of the project proposal is given by the proposed method for the devulcanization of spent rubber, respectively slow catalytic pyrolysis in the presence of an acid nanostructured catalyst, and the reactive adsorption of the sulfur resulting on nanostructured adsorbents. The improvement of the thermal and mass transfer in the extruder type pyrolysis reactor and implicitly the reduction of the temperature gradient, will be achieved by the use of an aromatic petroleum solvent, with low volatility, solvent that will solubilize the desulfurized elastomer. The metal sulfides resulting from the reactive adsorption will be removed by extraction in a polar solvent. By applying the procedure from this project proposal there is no toxic waste or gas, and the process of modifying the road bitumen will be simplified.

Value added products from microalgae biomass applying biorefinery concepts Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1842 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: https://icechim.ro/project/algaebioref-en/

Abstract:

The present research proposal aims to obtain high value products (antioxidants, lipids and carbohydrates) from microalgae biomass using the concept of biorefining. A first stage of this project consists in optimizing the growth conditions of two microalgal strains (Porphyridium purpureum and Dunaliella salina), in order to maximize the content of antioxidants, lipids, carbohydrates, using statistical methods of programming experiments. The second stage refers to comparing the efficiency of conventional and unconventional extraction methods (supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction and classical solvent extraction) in recovering from wet algal biomass antioxidants and lipid fraction with a high content of fatty acids polyunsaturated (compounds for use in the pharmaceutical industry). In a third stage, the fractions of lipids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrates from algal biomass will be transformed into ethyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids and levulinic acid respectively. In order to achieve this transformation, the development of a heterogeneous ferromagnetic acid catalyst is envisaged to ensure the development of these high efficiency processes. By adopting the concept "zero waste, the project aims to convert the exhausted biomass from active principles into biocarbons with adsorbent properties, which will be tested for the retention of inorganic compounds. The content of the project includes innovative multidisciplinary activities for optimizing the growth conditions of microalgae, respectively for extracting the compounds of interest, and for their efficient transformation into high value added compounds using catalytic systems developed within the project.

Energetic efficiency biogas plants improvement by integrated system: biogas-microalgae-biofuels in frame of biorefinery concept (AlgalBiogasConceptEnergy) Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0541 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU CARTOF SI SFECLA DE ZAHAR-BRASOV (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=38&lang=ro; http://www.icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=39&lang=en

Abstract:

The complex project propose the development and demonstration of innovative technologies to optimize the biogas plants by integrating the open ponds for microalgae cultivation using the digestate resulted from anaerobic digestion as a culture medium. The integral valorization of microalgae biomass consists in: obtaining of algal extracts (for co-digestion), lipid fraction (for biofuels) and spent biomass (co-digestion substrate); advanced separation and valorization of biogas by carbon dioxide conversion to biomethane; biorefining of the solid digestate and lipid fractions obtained from algal biomass into biochar, fuel components, bitumen fluxes, biohydrogen and liquefiable gaseous fractions. As results of this project will be: a demonstrated technology at TRL 6 level within the biogas-microalge integrated and an experimental stand for the evaluation of biomethane and liquefied gaseous hydrocarbons combustion efficiency and emission control.

New treatment for rape seeds based on collagen hydrolysates, in order to increase the drought resistance of the rape seedling Call name: P 3 - SP 3.5 - Proiecte EUREKA Tradiţional (Network), EUREKA-Cluster, Eurostars
PN-III-P3-3.5-EUK-2016-0029 2017 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL

Project partners: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.probstdorfer.ro/cercetare/proiect-coll-rape/

Abstract:

The goal of COLL-RAPE project is to making new products and

technology for pelleting rape seeds, based on collagen hydrolysates, in order to increase the resistance to drought and to pests during germination of seeds and emergence of seedlings. Rape crop is an economical competitive crop which could bring a good yield and a good profit to farmers. Seed coating technologies serve as delivery systems for biological and chemical seed and/or seedling performance enhancing treatments. Varieties of rape seeds will be coated with the

new product, based in collagen, which could provide the seeds with the fertilizers needed to start vegetation (amino acids from collagen polypeptides, the fungicide and insecticide to protect against soils and seed disease and insects. At the same time the collagen hydrolysates will offer, by adsorption of water molecules at the coating level, the moisture needed by the seed to germinate under drought conditions. Through multidisciplinary expertise and scientific and technical effort of the consortium RO-PL-LT, will produce the best quality rape seeds, adapted to the specific stress condition during emergence of seedling and hard climatic conditions (frequent in the three participating countries), which could provide farmers with a low risk in establishing rape crop for a dynamic market.

Synergistic conversion of algae: from biodiesel and its additives to syngas. Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016-1356 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=28&lang=en

Abstract:

The global reserves of fossil resources are depleting continuously due to the rapid development of the world economy. In this context, biomass has drawn extensive attention as a renewable energy and sustainable resource. Algae culture has the potential to produce larger amounts of biofuel in non-fertile lands. In spite of all these, the major drawback hindering the widespread utilization of algae for biofuel production remains their high cost of cultivation. The present project proposal is an effort to develop a synergistic and economically viable conversion of algae: from biodiesel and its additives – levulinate esters (biodiesel additives) to syngas. Moreover, contributes to the development of knowledge in the biomass producing and processing; especially the development of new cost-efficient technologies for algae biomass growth and synthesis of biofuels from algae biomass bio-refinery. The project objectives are: cultivation, modelling and optimization of algae growth in mixotrophic conditions to reach high carbohydrate or lipids content; conversion of algae biomass to biodiesel and levulinic esters and steam catalytic reforming of residual biomass cake to obtain syngas. The products that will be obtained have potential applicative directions in transport industry (biodiesel), additive, lubricant and flavoring and fragrance industries (levulinate esters) and industrial gases, fertilizers, chemicals and fuels (syngas).

Chelated micronutrients based on renewable resources Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Cecuri de inovare
PN-III-P2-2.1-CI-2018-1326 2018 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: ATICA CHEMICALS S.R.L.

Project partners: ATICA CHEMICALS S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO)

Project website: http://aticachemicals.ro/index.php/proiecte/proiecte-cercetare

Abstract:

The main objective of the project is to obtain high-chelation biostimulants for agricultural crops, based on polysaccharide-rich waste. The complexation of micronutrients facilitates the mobility and accessibility of plant elements. Our country has large production of corn and sugar beet, whose superior valorization is obtained as corn syrup and molasses, with high content in polysaccharides. These polysaccharide-rich resources will be the raw material for the production of high-chelating organic matter. In order to obtain chelants with improved properties, lignin will also be used. The lignin will be subjected to oxidative depolymerization processes coupled with the acid condensation of residual carbohydrates. The low cost price of production will make it possible to obtain biostimulants at a competitive price compared to the usual products currently used in agricultural practice.

Foliar biofertilizer based on active structures, intelligent, for the grain crops treatment Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2016-0214 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.probstdorfer.ro/proiect-_biofol_cer/

Abstract:

The idea of Project follow the trend of increase the efficiency of agricultural production by using a bio-technologies for a sustainable agriculture.

The goal of project is transfer of technologies for producing the foliar fertilizers, bioactive for plant nutrition and growing stimulation for cereals, in order to increase the yield, to reduce the pollution, to increase the efficiency of nitrogen use by the crop, to reduce the cost with fertilizers at farm level, and to valorize an secondary by-products from agriculture with low cost by exploitation the potential of natural by-products of keratin, collagen and plant extracts with systemic protection function at crop level.

The objectives of project BIOFOL_CER represent the transfer of technologies for producing bio-foliar–fertilizers with proteic additives used for cereals to the company involved in consortium, to demonstrate the efficiency of using of the new products by experiments in field and evaluation of effects for increasing of yield and quality of grain.

State of the art for the idea of project is TRL4 (technology validated in laboratory), based on former research, already patented, for vegetables crops. During the research will be formulated a new foliar fertilizer, with high content of keratin, collagen and with additives, which will experimented in laboratory and in research field for finding the appropriate usage dose for cereal crops. The demonstratives experiments on the cereal crops (wheat, barley, and triticale) will show the advantage of using the foliar fertilizers with proteic, bioactive additives, and will permit elaboration of technology at level TRL6 (demonstrate technology at economical producing level). At the end of research project the partners ICPI and ICECHIM will transfer the technology of producing of the new foliar fertilizer for cereal crop to the PSRO.

BITUMEN FLUXANTS OBTAINED BY THE UPGRADE OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOLVENTS TECHNOLOGY EXISTING AT SC ICPAO MEDIAS Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Transfer de cunoaștere la agentul economic „Bridge Grant”
PN-III-P2-2.1-BG-2016-0324 2016 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://glicester.chimie.upb.ro

Abstract:

The goal of the project is to upgrade the technology for ecological solvents production, existing at the Research Institute for Auxiliary Organic Products (ICPAO) Medias, a research and production company, in order to valorize the glycerol, obtained as a by-product. The research partners in this project are Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB) and the National Research and Development Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry (ICECHIM) Bucharest. The glycerol valorization solution adopted in this project is its transformation into acetic and butyric esters, by the reaction with the corresponding acids, both obtainable from natural resources, renewable, nontoxic and biodegradable as glycerol itself. These glycerol esters are envisaged to be commercialized as ecological fluxants for road construction bitumen. Also, in the upcoming period, the triacetain and tributyrin esters obtained in this technology will be purified by ICPAO and commercialized as ingredients for food or pharmaceutical products. The transition from current fluxants, based on petroleum derivatives, that are pollutants, toxic and flammable, to the fluxants derived from glycerol and vegetable oils, which avoids all these drawbacks, is a process already initiated worldwide, being determined by the requirements regarding the environmental protection. The project includes innovative activities, technological development and activities aiming the transfer of technical and scientific knowledge from UPB and ICECHIM toward ICPAO Medias, as well as activities of professional formation at ICPAO, for master and doctorate students from UPB. The innovative activities are referring to the development of an effective catalyst for the esterification of glycerol, the development of an esterification process ensuring a high conversion of glycerol in economic conditions and formulating an optimal composition of acetic and butyric glycerol esters, suitable to be used as bitumen fluxant.

Conversion of Biomass Wastes into Furan Derivatives, for Applications in Biofuels Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0635 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A.

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpaomedias.ro/index.php/proiecte-in-derulare/carfural

Abstract:

The Kyoto protocol, together with the desire to reduce society’s dependence on imported crude oil, has directed researchers’ attention to the use of biomass as a source of energy and, more specifically, for transportation fuels. The biomass-derived fuels can be CO2–neutral, since the CO2 produced in their combustion can be reabsorbed by green plants during photosynthesis.

The overall objective of CARFURAL is conversion of lignocellulosic wastes in two chemical building blocks: furfural (furan-2-carbaldehyde) and 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals

[5-(alkoxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde], followed by processing them for the production of biofuels having applications as components or additives for gasoline or diesel, in order to improve their characteristics.

The end-of-project results will be original technologies for the production of following product groups with direct applications and market potential:

1- furfural and 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals (i.e. alkoxy = -OCH3, -OC2H5, -OC3H7, etc.) as process intermediates (for furan based biofuels), and end-products (in other potential uses, eg phenol-furfural resins, urea-furfural resins, solvents, etc.)

2- furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives

3- furyl-dioxacyclane esters

4- furan derivatives and/or tetrahydrofuran derivatives

5- tetrahydrofuryl-dioxacyclane derivatives

6- selective hydrogenation catalysts

7- hybrid biodiesel

- Furfural, will be produced by hydrolysis of hemicellulosic fractions from lignocellulosic wastes such as sunflower seed hulls (from oil factories), sunflower stalks and corn cobs. Remained cellulosic fraction will be processed to obtain 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals.

- Furfural and 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals will be condensed with crude glycerine, waste from biodiesel manufacture, resulting furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives.

- Furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives can be used as such, or will be transesterified, with monocarboxylic acid methyl esters, to obtain esters of furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives

- Furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives will be selective hydrogenated to result tetrahydrofuran derivatives

- 5-(Alkoxymethyl)furfurals will be selective hydrogenated to obtain furan derivatives [eg 2-methyl-5-(alkoxymethyl)furan] and/or tetrahydrofuran derivatives [eg 2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(alkoxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran; 2-methyl-5-(alkoxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran]

- Selective hydrogenation catalysts will be produced and tested

- A complex process for obtaining an hybrid biodiesel by processing together vegetable oil wastes and lignocellulosic wastes, resulting a mixture of classical biodiesel, furfural and 5-(methoxymethyl)furfural glycerol acetals, will be developed.

The following success criteria will be used as basis for evaluating project performance:

- it will develop laboratory-scale technologies for the production of derivatives from above mentioned classes (1-7)

- it will determine the specific characteristics of the synthesized products in mixture with gasoline and/or diesel; it will select at least one product from each class 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, which improve at least two characteristics of baseline gasoline and / or diesel (eg octane number, cetane number, pour point, cold filter plugging point, flash point, viscosity, environmental performance of additived fuels, as evidenced by the reduction of exhaust pollutants, etc.).

- for at least one efficient product, selected from all of 1-7 classes, it will be upgraded technologies from laboratory to micropilot scale

- it will protect original technologies developed in the project, by at least two national patent applications and two european patent applications

- the project results will be disseminated through publication of at least two papers, in ISI quoted scientific journals, and at least two communications at conferences

Interdisciplinary research about using of collagen based products with elastic characteristics on rape crop for yield increasing, reducing of losses of harvest and sustainable of agriculture productio Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0589 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL

Project partners: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); DANUBE RESEARCH-CONSULTING SRL (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.probstdorfer.ro/proiect_rapestick/

Abstract:

The project offers a technical solution for treating the rape crops in order to reduce the losses caused by the dehiscence of the silicva before harvesting.

The solution proposed have to use solution based on polymerisable collagen extracts, resulted from the processing of subproducts from aquaculture and from the fishing industry, which have: adhesive properties and elasticity characteristics, resistance to UV radiations, and a high contents of amino acids. At this moment these subproducts from aquaculture and fishing industry are thrown, being a polluting factor with organic matter of the residual industrial waters.

The novelty of the project consists in the use of polymerized substances for the protection of the rape silicva, which are based on the collagen extracts from fish, having beside the antidehiscence effect, also a foliar fertiliser and a fungicide effects. Compared with antidehiscence products used at this moment, which are synthesis products, and which have exclusively the adhesive function, the new proposed products by the triple effect characteristics, - adhesive, fertilizer and fungicide, will have an impact on increasing of crop production at quantitative and qualitative level, by increasing the vegetation period (prolonging the grain filling period), increasing the TKW (weight of 1000 kernels), and reducing the water evapotranspiration at the rape crop field level. The antidehiscent effect will be given by the elastic feature of the fish collagen, the fertilizer feature will be given by the amino acid content of collagen, and the fungicide feature will be given by the film-forming effect and by the semipermeable membrane of the product polymerized from fish collagen extract, resistant to the UV radiation. By reducing losses from rape grain, pollution (weeding) with rape plants in successive crops after rape crop is reduced, reducing the quantity use of herbicides on succeeding crops. Into project are involves five partners, two research institutes, one university and two SMEs that will exploit the results of the research each in its own economic development.

INTEGRATED GREEN TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING ADVANCED BIOFUELS Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1006 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://chem.ubbcluj.ro/~irimie/index2.htm

Abstract:

AdbBioFuels is an innovative approach of biofuels. This project covers all the features of the Partnership Program; sub-program “Applied Research Collaborative Projects”. Its thematic area is “Energy” under the research direction 2.1 “Sustainable energy systems and technologies, energy security”, aligning with the reserch topic 2.1.4 “Promotion of clean energy technology, environment protection measures and reducing of the greenhouse gas emissions”.

The importance of this research area is ruled by the “Renewable Energy Directive” implemented by EU in 2009; the Directive stipulates the utilization, by 2020, of carting fuels produced from regenerable sources.

Our original approach targets the obtaining of a biodiesel type fuel, which simultaneously exploit both the molasses resulted in the sugar production and the glycerinous waters resulted in the conventional biodiesel technology, into a highly efficient, integrated chemobiocatalytic process.

Actually, the project aims the achievement of five objectives, successively developed at laboratory scale and at scale-up level:

• A chemocatalytic methodology for obtaining 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from molasse. Here we will develop a selective catalyst and a way of purifying and stabilizing the product.

• A methodology of assisted biocatalysis using baker’s yeast grown on molasse, to condense the pyruvic acid produced in the metabolism, with 5-hydroxy-methylfurfural.

• A methodology for the acetalization of hydroxymethylfurfural with glycerol, and of the aldole obtained in the previous step with different aldehydes to obtain hydroxy acetals with furanic structure.

• A methodology for enzymatic and chemical acylation of the hydroxy acetals obtained in the previous step, with acyl groups from natural sources, to increase the reduction grade of the derivatized furanic core.

• The development of a feasibility study for the obtaining of the advanced biofuel by exploiting the molasses and glycerol resulted as industrial byproducts.

Besides the actual state of the art, the project as a whole will ensure:

• A better valorization of the molasses and glycerol (both industrial byproducts),

• The reduction of the fossil fuel dependency, by replacing it with advanced biofuels,

• Biofuels with improved properties (freezing point, viscosity, volatility, CFPP, solubility in water etc.),

• Promoting new, cheaper technologies to obtain advanced biofuels,

• A reduction of the negative impact of the carting (transportation) field on the environment, by using a renewable source of energy, produced in greenway.

The project will be capitalized through patents, publishing of scientific papers in high impact journals, scientific communications.

The research team of the project consists of three groups coming from complementary research areas and having strong scientific achievements, which provide a complex integration of their expertise, oriented towards the achievement of the project’s objectives:

a) the Biocatalysis group from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, known and recognized at international level, with more than 100 publications in the area of biocatalysis, including biofuels,

b) the ICPAO group from Medias, a research group dedicated to catalytic organic synthesis, and

c) The group from ICECHIM Bucharest, with a wide expertize in elaborating technologies for the obtaining of biofuels from different renewable sources.

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING SYNTHETIC AVIATION FUEL FROM ALGAL BIOMASS Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0083 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://algalsaf.icechim.ro/

Abstract:

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING

SYNTHETIC AVIATION FUEL FROM ALGAL BIOMASS (ALGAL-SAF)

SUMMARY

ALGAL-SAF project focuses on the potential use of algae, as raw material for producing alternative fuels for aviation that could replace the petrochemical jet fuel up to 50% by volume without any durability problems, by an integrated technologies system starting from algae.

The overall objectives of the project aim to complete valorisation of algal biomass, using an integrated system wherein bio-feedstock is subjected to oil extraction to produce algal oil and then dehydrating of de-oiled algal biomass comprising carbohydrates, in the presence of catalysts to yield furan derivatives. Further, we propose, simultaneously catalytic processing technologies of fatty acid methyl esters and furan derivatives mixture by upgrading them into alcohol derivatives, and finally catalytic reforming processes for producing a mixture comprising iso/n alkanes, suitable for, or as a blending component for, uses such as an aviation fuel, being competitive and compatible, to current used fuels.No attempts were found in the literature about such an integrated system developed for synthetic aviation fuel production, as we have proposed in this project. We have found some knowledge gaps in the current state-of-art, as follows: (a) Selecting the microalgae able to grow in mixotrophic conditions for high yield algal oil production; (b) Mixotrophic microalgae culture, by supplementing culture media with crude glycerin, as carbon source and protein hydrolysate, as nitrogen source (c) Valorization of de-oiled algal biomass via furan derivatives, as precursors for aviation fuels; (d) Simultaneously catalytic processing technologies of fatty acid methyl esters and furan derivatives mixture by upgrading them into alcohol derivatives; (e) Simultaneously dehydration, hydrocracking and isomerization processes of alcohol derivatives, for producing iso/n alkanes, suitable as synthetic aviation fuel.

The project will contribute to environmental compliance of Directive 2009/28/EC, on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, which aims at achieving by 2020 a 20% share of energy from renewable sources in the EU's final consumption of energy and a 10% share in each member state's transport energy consumption.

Interdisciplinary research on seed treatment with collagen hydrolysates for quality indicators increasing, pesticide reduction and sustainable development of agriculture production. Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1805 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL

Project partners: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MASINI SI INSTALATII DESTINATE AGRICULTURII SI INDUSTRIEI ALIMENTARE - INMA (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpi.ro/ICPI/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=26

Abstract:

The project theme falls within the actual trends to create new and complex materials having a higher ecological impact than the current products as well as added value, by using advanced processes for chemical processes and bio-refinement of renewable natural resources.

The main objective of the project „GERMOSTIM” is to develop new and advanced materials and technologies, having a bio-stimulating effect for plant growth and an insecto-fungicide effects onto seeds, by using the valuable organic nitrogen resource from the leather industry and from the leather by-products – which are currently treated as residues.

The originality of the project is given by the following: the techniques used for processing proteic by-products to obtain a bio-compatible component with insecto-fungicide and phyto-regulatory growth functions; use of an original mathematical model to optimise the proteic component separation process; elaboration of advanced and complex materials to be used for establishment of recipes of pesticide mixes – protein hydrolysate.

The use of collagen resources in the leather industry to create organic materials, the ingredient and bio-stimulators for seed crops will allow for an innovative valorisation of a natural resource and for an increase in the sustainability of certain traditional economic sectors for our country which are currently in full ascension, such as: agriculture, chemical industry and leather industry.

This project aims at creating a technology for cereal seeds treatment, which generates an increase of the quality indicators for treated seeds, guarantees an increased percentage of sprung plants, an early and effective protection of plantlets against pathogen and harmful agents through a disinfection of the seeds surface, by destroying the pathogen agents present on the grain, ensuring the protection of roots and hypocotyls against the attack of pests and pathogen agents, ensuring a rapid springing of the crops, with an optimum density, as a

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