Abstract
Among the grand challenges facing the creation of a sustainable society (as indicated in Horizon Europe), there is the need to develop suitable technologies for circular economy. Paper could be a perfect example of the circular economy as it remains the furthermost recycled product in Europe with a 72% of recycling rate. Nevertheless, paper products cannot be recycled and reused persistently for pure fiber recovery and the paper industry need to identify emerging markets for maintaining a consistent level of quality whilst limiting the environmental footprint of their production. The increasing amount of waste streams from paper production and recycling could then be considered a promising feedstock for biorefinery. The aim of this project is to valorise the whole waste of paper production in a holistic way thus making paper manufacturing a virtuous example of circular economy. Two main fractions of the sludge medium composition can be treated: the first one (primary paper sludge) mainly constituted of cellulose-based chemicals and the second one containing lignin and other complex chemicals. The first fraction has the advantages that no pre-treatment is required due the extensive pulping process that remove lignin and expose cellulose fibres producing a partially depolymerised and activated substrate. The project will focus on hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis products which can be generated from these cellulose-derivative materials, investigating new catalysts based on nano-structured active phases for chemo-catalytic processes aimed at the transformation of cellulose into bio-monomers. The key reactions involved are (i) the acid-catalysed depolymerisation/dehydration of cellulose into intermediates and (ii) the reduction/deoxygenation of the highly-oxygenated substrate and intermediates into monomers. Combining advanced preparation methods for nano-scaled catalysts and in-situ/operando characterisation of the active phase/reactant interaction will make possible the design and development of more selective and stable catalysts. The second fraction, due to its complex composition, will be used to produce biochar and bio-oil through pyrolysis, allowing the whole integration of the process of waste-valorization: the production of materials (biochar) which can be functionalized to act as a support for the metallic active-site, and energy (bio-oil), which can contribute to the energy supply. The overall environmental sustainability of the value chains will be also assessed by means of an LCA approach and a preliminarily economic evaluation.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Stefania Albonetti
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari"
Coordinatore:
Università degli Studi di MILANO(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 101.750,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
29/11/2025
