COUPCAT | Coupling dimerisation and metathesis reactions to produce propene from ethanol using heterogeneous catalysts and microreactor systems

Summary
Biomass-derived molecules contain excess oxygen that must be removed to render as fuel or chemicals. Due to feedstock fluctuations, ethanol and ethene are becoming key components to overcome these challenges. Given the current bioethanol (fermentation) and ethene (crackers) excess, and the propene shortage in Europe, alternative routes are required. During the outgoing phase under the supervision of Prof. Iglesia at UC Berkeley (USA), the researcher Dr. Iker Agirrezabal-Telleria will address the fundamental mechanistic aspects of dimerisation and metathesis reactions from ethanol to propene operating at low-temperature and studying the individual parameters using multidisciplinary approaches. This will include spectroscopic (in-situ UV-VIS and FTIR ) and isotopic techniques to elucidate the contribution and role of active metals for dimerisation (Ni), isomerisation (H+) and metathesis (Re, Mo).
The optimised catalysts will be tested during the return phase under the supervision of Prof. Arias at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) using engineering approaches. Catalyst slurry and formulations will be prepared to test them on microreactor systems. The microreactors will be coated during a secondment period under the supervision of Prof. Kolb at Fraunhofer ICT-IMM (Germany). This phase aims to achieve process intensification and reduce heat-transfer issues occurring in packed-bed reactors. The comparison between fixed-bed and microreactors will enable to obtain interdisciplinary inputs to produce propene from ethanol.
This Fellowship aims to carry out cutting-edge scientific training and transferable skill training such as project management, relevant for the re-integration period and to become an independent research leader in Europe. Moreover, this projects aims to have a positive impact on European society and competitiveness. These actions will involve outreach activities, results dissemination and IPR management.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/656891
Start date: 01-04-2015
End date: 31-03-2018
Total budget - Public funding: 257 191,20 Euro - 257 191,00 Euro
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Original description

Biomass-derived molecules contain excess oxygen that must be removed to render as fuel or chemicals. Due to feedstock fluctuations, ethanol and ethene are becoming key components to overcome these challenges. Given the current bioethanol (fermentation) and ethene (crackers) excess, and the propene shortage in Europe, alternative routes are required. During the outgoing phase under the supervision of Prof. Iglesia at UC Berkeley (USA), the researcher Dr. Iker Agirrezabal-Telleria will address the fundamental mechanistic aspects of dimerisation and metathesis reactions from ethanol to propene operating at low-temperature and studying the individual parameters using multidisciplinary approaches. This will include spectroscopic (in-situ UV-VIS and FTIR ) and isotopic techniques to elucidate the contribution and role of active metals for dimerisation (Ni), isomerisation (H+) and metathesis (Re, Mo).
The optimised catalysts will be tested during the return phase under the supervision of Prof. Arias at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) using engineering approaches. Catalyst slurry and formulations will be prepared to test them on microreactor systems. The microreactors will be coated during a secondment period under the supervision of Prof. Kolb at Fraunhofer ICT-IMM (Germany). This phase aims to achieve process intensification and reduce heat-transfer issues occurring in packed-bed reactors. The comparison between fixed-bed and microreactors will enable to obtain interdisciplinary inputs to produce propene from ethanol.
This Fellowship aims to carry out cutting-edge scientific training and transferable skill training such as project management, relevant for the re-integration period and to become an independent research leader in Europe. Moreover, this projects aims to have a positive impact on European society and competitiveness. These actions will involve outreach activities, results dissemination and IPR management.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2014-GF

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
MSCA-IF-2014-GF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF)