The global reliance on fossil fuels remains a barrier to combating climate change, particularly in sectors like marine and aviation transport. Traditional oil refineries are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, relying heavily on non-renewable resources. There is a need for sustainable alternatives that can integrate into existing infrastructure. In this context, the EU-funded ABATE project will industrialise a sustainable value chain by integrating thermochemical and biochemical technologies. Specifically, it transforms lignocellulosic biomass into cost-competitive, carbon-neutral advanced bio-based intermediates that can replace fossil hydrocarbons in refineries. This process includes converting biomass into fast pyrolysis bio-oil and bio-char, stabilising the bio-oil into high-quality intermediates, and integrating CO2 sequestration with green methanol production.
Horizon Europe
The project deals with new synthesis of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysts enabling controlled embedding of active copper sites in ZnO/Al2O3 matrix having hydrotalcite structure. The starting precursors and the final catalysts will be thoroughly characterized to determine catalyst’s structure and properties. Special attention will be paid to the active copper sites, their structure, and the effect of their surroundings on their activity and selectivity. The characterization will rely on a combination of in-situ techniques with theoretical modeling of the structure and properties of the active copper centers and their ZnO/Al2O3 interface. Finally, the performance of the synthesized catalysts in model hydrogenation (hydrogenation of CO, CO2 and furfural) and dehydrogenation (ethanol and cyclohexanol dehydrogenation) reactions will be evaluated. The activity, selectivity, and stability of the catalysts will be related to the determined properties and structure, including the geometry of the active sites.
The project aims to prepare and verify at industrially relevant conditions a unique multifunctional catalytic system that will efficiently use renewable hydrogen for simultaneous conversion of carbon dioxide and lignin-derived phenolic compounds. The product of the conversion will be hydrocarbons suitable for sustainable synthetic aviation fuels (SAF), particularly multi-alkylated aromatics and multi-alkylated naphthenic compounds from their hydrogenation. The goal is to integrate the decarbonization of air transportation by using renewable alkyl-aromatics from lignin and carbon dioxide with a simultaneous use of hydrogen in air transportation where hydrogen cannot be used directly due to its low energy density.
TAČR
The project focuses on the research and development, assembly and operation of a microcapacitive unit at TRL 4 consisting of a bubbled slurry reactor with internals for cooling and improving hydrodynamics and a controlled partial fractional condensation of gaseous synthesis products with organic internals to intensify heat transfer during condensation. The proprietary catalyst for a slurry reactor will also be developed. The aim of the project is to maximise the efficiency of power-to-liquid (PtL) conversion and the yield of products with lower greenhouse gas emissions and better properties for storage and use.
TAČR
Cu-based catalysts show promise for the selective hydrogenolysis of esters, offering notable environmental advantages over conventional CuCr catalysts. This project aims to advance our understanding of the structure-activity relationship in ester hydrogenolysis and the influence of transesterification in both liquid and gas phase reactions. To achieve this goal, we will employ a combination of rational catalyst design, yielding well-defined catalysts through controlled surface modification of various SiO2 materials with oxides of Ti, Zr, Al, or Zn. Subsequent detailed characterization and rigorous catalyst testing will be conducted alongside state-of-the-art operando spectroscopy techniques. This integrated approach will elucidate the impact of oxide modifiers on the silica surface on catalyst properties, as well as on the activity, selectivity, and stability of Cu catalysts developed herein. Moreover, it will enable insight into the role of oxide supports in determining the size, stability, and oxidation state of Cu nanoparticles, thereby influencing their activity and selectivity.
GAČR
The aim of the project is to develop the structure and technology of production of a new generation of high-performance catalyst for the process of transformation of methanol into modern and sustainable fuels. Specifically, the project aims to develop nanostructured hierarchical zeolitic catalyst for the transformation of methanol to a C4-C10 hydrocarbon fraction with a high content of branched alkanes and cycloalkanes with a high octane number. The catalysts will be characterized by high activity stability, regenerability and structural stability, and will allow economic transformation of methanol to C4-C10 with high atomic selectivity. The aim is to develop an economical process for the production of catalyst that, with its main properties, outperform catalysts on the world market.
TAČR