Upgrading of renewable domestic raw materials to value-added bulk and fine chemicals for a biobased economy: technology development, systems integration and environmental impact assessment (BioBuF)
Research Project, 2013
– 2018
In this project, a novel biorefinery concept will be developed, wherein domestic renewable raw materials in the form of forestry residues (GROT) and micro-algae are converted into an array of bulk and added-value products. Adipic acid (the precursor of nylon) will be produced by microbial conversion of the main carbohydrate fractions of the raw materials. Aromatic chemicals, such as terephthalic acid, will be produced by bioconversion of the lignin fraction of GROT. Separation technology and pretreatment will be developed to obtain a lignin fraction that can be further converted into aromatic compounds. The potential of microalgae as a source of added-value chemicals will also be assessed. Side streams will be used in anaerobic digestion and bioelectrochemical systems, to improve the water economy, and allow for nutrient recycling within the process. Experimental data obtained in the project and from literature surveys will be used to assess the environmental impact of the entire process, including land use effects of producing and harvesting the raw materials. These data will also be used to assess the potential for integration with existing industry and its economic advantages. Scale-up effects on the environmental performance of different process steps will be assessed in parallel with the technology development. Our studies will lead to pinpointing which technological improvements are necessary for making this biorefinery-based technology sustainable.
Participants
Lisbeth Olsson (contact)
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Eva Albers
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Thore Berntsson
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Maurizio Bettiga
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Christel Cederberg
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Physical Resource Theory
Carl Johan Franzén
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Simon Harvey
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Mathias Janssen
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis
Christel Kampman
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Emma Karlsson
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Valeria Mapelli
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Joshua Mayers
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Stavros Papadokonstantakis
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Karin Pettersson
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Elin Svensson
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Hans Theliander
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology
Anne-Marie Tillman
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis
Nikolaos Xafenias
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Collaborations
SIK – the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology
Gothenburg, Sweden
Funding
Region Västra Götaland
Project ID: RUN612-0806-13
Funding Chalmers participation during 2013–2018
Formas
Project ID: 213-2013-78
Funding Chalmers participation during 2013–2018
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Sustainable development
Driving Forces