Biomass pyrolysis
Investigating the chemistry and the kinetic mechanism of biomass devolatilization
Research
Biomass conversion
Waste biomass from the agricultural field and forestry residues can be converted and upgraded through thermal and catalytic processes to produce high-value products: biochar (used as solid amendant, anode material or catalyst for pollutant removal), bio-oils (liquid fuels for the decarbonization of the aviation and marine sector) and bio-gas (a renewable source of heat and power)
From biomass residues to renewable fuels and functional materials
Our research on biomass conversion wants to extend the understanding of the chemistry of biomass devolatilization, which is the initial stage of all thermochemical processes (pyrolysis, gasification, combustion). We work on the development of kinetic models necessary to design reactors for the industrial application and to optimize the processes. Another key focus of our work is the investigation of catalytic processes for the upgrade of pyrolysis products. In particular, we aim to increase the yield and the quality of liquid products, to foster their utilization as fuels for the decarbonization of the aviation and the marine sector. To address these challenges, we approach the complex system of biomass devolatilization - intrinsically multicomponent, multiscale and multiphase - by applying the principles and methods of chemical reaction engineering, the foundational approach of the LCCP group. This engineering methodology that integrates the analysis of the fundamentals of chemical reactions with the design of reactors and processes, is central to unlock the potential of biomass within a sustainable energy market.
