2015 BCT Thesis subjects.pdf

Biobased Chemistry and Technology (BCT)

INFORMATION ON BSC AND MSC THESIS PROJECTS

http://www.wageningenur.nl/bct

Biobased Chemistry and Technology (BCT)

http://www.wageningenur.nl/bct

INTRODUCTION

Thank your for showing interest in the research of Biobased Chemistry and Technology (BCT). BCT is the result of merging the groups BCH (Biobased Commodity Chemistry) and BRD (Biomass Refinery and Process Dynamics) to one group. I hope you will read this brochure with pleasure. I am convinced that we can offer research projects that suit your interests and challenges your capabilities.

The BCT group focuses on the efficient conversion of biomass based feedstock, especially agricultural side streams and waste streams. From the non-edible part of these streams we want to make chemicals and products. In that way the feed streams are effectively valorised and the amount of waste is reduced. All this contributes to the establishment of a biobased economy.

To arrive at the biobased economy a variety of disciplines need to work together. A large number of these disciplines are available in our group as you can read in this brochure. As a result we can accommodate students which have an interest in e.g. systems and modelling, process technology, (bio)conversions, separations and life cycle/sustainability analysis. Fundamental and applied research go hand in hand, which is essential to arrive at the biobased economy in a sound manner.

When you decide to work in our group you can choose a project of your interest with a focus that suits you. In addition you will learn, on the job, to appreciate working with other disciplines.

I hope we can welcome you in our group in the near future.

Best regards,

Harry Bitter

Chair holder

(Bio)Chemical conversion

dr. Elinor Scott

Assistant Professor

e-mail: [email protected]

phone: +31 (0) 317 481172

BIOBASED CHEMISTRY

In the transition from a fossil based to a bio-

based chemical industry many new types of conversion processes and catalysis needs to be developed to be able to use biomass feedstocks. The main target of our group is the development of new cost effective chemical conversions and processes for biomass conversion to chemicals.

Organic rest streams from biofuel production and waste (water) treatment are potential feedstocks

CHEMISTRY AND (BIO)CATALYSIS

At Chemistry, we have a focus on a number of catalytic conversions such as decarboxylation, oxidations and metathesis. Often amino acids (obtained by Process Technology) are starting materials for these conversions.

Transition metal catalysis for the

synthesis of styrene and acrylates

Ethylene

Styrene Acrylates

Electron-Deficient Alkene Metathesis

+

BULK CHEMICALS FROM WASTE

Amino acids from biofuel rest streams

for the production of amines

Due to inherent functionality, particularly nitrogen, amino acids make excellent raw materials to produce a variety of industrial amines, lactams and nitriles and eliminating energy intensive routes using fossil resources.

RESEARCH APPROACH

• (Bio)Chemical conversions of amino acids and other biomolecules

• Combination of chemical and bio-catalytic synthetic routes for most efficient routes o Eco efficient and cost effective

• Conversion and separation of amino acids – in situ product formation as an aid to separation

Waste to resource: chemical synthesis of bulk chemicals from waste stream PHA

Researcher:

Jurjen Spekreijse

Supervisors: Elinor Scott, Jérôme Le Nôtre

Promoter: Johan Sanders

Project period:

9.2011 to 9.2015

Jurjen Spekreijse, MSc; PhD candidate

graduated: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (2011)


phone: +31 (0) 317 486030

MOTIVATION

With depleting fossil feedstock and the environmental problems associated with this, it will be necessary to search for green alternatives as a source of chemicals. This feedstock should be green and sustainable. For chemicals biomass is the only viable alternative. In this project waste water originated from agricultural industry is used as feedstock to produce bulk chemicals.

Proposed route from waste water

treatment to bulk chemicals

RESEARCH APPROACH

Waste water can be treated by bacteria to produce insoluble poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). PHB can be isolated as a pure compound from a water stream with diverse pollutions. PHB can be used as a polymer,

however where PHB is not suitable as a polymer, it can be effectively converted by catalysis to a range of industrial monomers.

High pressure reactors

TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGE

This research focuses on the chemical conversion of PHB into bulk chemicals. To be able to compete with the current fossil based products the reactions have to be optimized and a suitable downstream processing.

Biocatalytic formation of industrial nitriles

from biomass Researcher:

Andrada But

Supervisors: Elinor Scott, Jérôme Le Nôtre


Project period:

6.2012 to 6.2016

Andrada But; PhD candidate


phone: +31 (0) 317 480150

MOTIVATION

The use of sustainable raw materials together with the implementation of innovative production routes are necessary to obtain competitive bio-based products. Therefore a promising approach that will by-pass the use or preparation of energy intensive and toxic reagents (e.g. ammonia) could be the production of nitrogen-containing chemicals starting from the proteic waste streams of bio-

refineries.

From biomass to nitriles

This can be achieved by the enzymatic oxidative decarboxylation of the amino acids into the corresponding nitriles, which are important starting materials to a variety of industrial products.


The aim of this research is to open and develop a new route to a green production of nitriles with industrial significance. The enzymatic oxidative decarboxylation reaction of amino acids to nitriles constitutes the main transformation in this research.

RESEARCH APPROACH

Using a haloperoxidase enzyme (HPO), hydrogen peroxide and a catalytic amount of sodium bromide, the biocatalytic oxidative decarboxylation reaction of amino acids can be performed. To eliminate the addition of external oxidants, H2O2 can be produced in situ by the use of oxidase enzymes.

Production of nitriles starting from amino acids with

in situ generation of H2O2

Process technology

dr.ir. Marieke Bruins

Researcher


phone: +31 (0) 317 487615

BIOREFINERY

Currently, we are moving from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based economy. To enable this transition many different processes for biorefinery are being developed. The main target of our group is the development of processes for biomass conversion to chemicals.

Jatropha seeds can be pressed to yield oil for biofuel, we valorise the remaining press-cake

PROTEIN BIOREFINERY

At process technology, we focus on the biorefinery of biomass to proteins and subsequently amino acids for the production of bulk chemicals. Protein extraction, protein hydrolysis and amino acid purification are important topics.

Crude protein concentrate from grass

can be used directly for feed, may be used for bulk chemical production

SMALL SCALE BIOREFINERY

Small scale sugar beet refining as an example

Sustainable sources are a good candidate for small scale, decentralized processes, since biomass contains a large amount of water that does not need to be transported. In addition to the water, several other components are better left at the farm to begin with, including minerals for fertilisation. For this, we develop new processes and aim for general design rules.

RESEARCH APPROACH

• Biochemical work on protein extraction and hydrolysis

• Separation of amino acids from complex media

• Technical development of specific process parts for biorefinery

• Modelling of complete processes; setting up mass and energy balances, estimating operational and investment costs

Increasing the utilization of low value leaves by use of new protein extraction methods

(acronym LEAP) Researcher:

Chen Zhang

Supervisors: Marieke Bruins


Project period:

9.2010 to 9.2014

Chen Zhang, MSc; Sandwich PhD candidate

graduated: Fuzhou University, China (2007)

e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

phone: +31 (0) 317 480150 / +31 (0) 6 2787 8597

MOTIVATION

Twice the food production at half the ecological footprint” by 2050 is a target requiring new solutions, in which high output and the complete use of agricultural products are needed. Developing processes in which we use all components in biomass will benefit both economy and environment. Leaf protein (LP) can serve as feed and food, but can also be hydrolysed to amino acids for other applications, including bulk chemical production.

Fig. 1 Possible applications of leaf protein

KEY OBJECTIVES

• To develop a new, sustainable technology, preferable on small scale that can be used on location, for the extraction of leaf proteins.

• To identify the functional properties (of leaf proteins from the three crop residue sources for their application in feed and/or food.

• To determine the nutritional value of leaf proteins from the three crop residue sources in monogastrics, that are simultaneously serving as model for humans.

Fig. 2 Investigation of the mechanism of alkaline extraction based on the structure of plant cell wall

CURRENT RESEARCH

• Optimize leaf protein extraction protocol that scaling up lab work to industrial practical.

• Investigate the mechanism of alkaline extraction, including chemical reaction and thermal dynamic. (Fig.2)

• Development of new extraction technology for cost-efficient and sustainable production. e.g. Chromatography-like extraction system (fig.3)

• Optimization of industrial production of leaf protein considering local economics.

Fig.3 Chromatography-like protein extraction

system

Isolation and valorization of peptides and amino acids from the rubber, oil palm and Jatropha tree

Researcher:

Widyarani

Supervisors: Marieke Bruins, Enny Ratnaningsih


Project period:

9.2010 to 9.2014

Widyarani; Sandwich PhD candidate

graduated: Instiitut Teknologi Bandung - Indonesia (2003)

Wageningen University (2009)


phone: +31 (0) 317 48????

MOTIVATION

Rubber tree seeds, oil palm fruits and Jatropha seeds are potential feedstock for bio-

oil, which can be further processed to biodiesel. Oil production from these biomasses results in waste streams that contain protein. Currently, these waste streams have low to no economic value. Utilization of all biomass fractions, including protein, will give a higher economic value to the overall chain. The aim of this research is to find methods for valorizing protein in bio-oil waste streams for green chemical use.


In the second part of the project, we focus on obtaining amino acids from the rubber seeds. The challenge is to design a process that enables total hydrolysis of rubber seed proteins.

RESEARCH APPROACH

Current research mainly consists of experimental works with following topics:

• Investigate the mechanisms of enzymatic protein hydrolysis by testing several enzymes with different mechanism of action.

• Optimize the hydrolysis process using combination of physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments.

• Separation of amino acids mixture.

Novel polysaccharides having mixed α-1,4 and α-1,6 backbones

Researcher:

Piet van der Zaal

Supervisor: Piet Buwalda

Promoter: Harry Bitter

Project period:

10.2013 to 10.2017

Piet van der Zaal, MSc; PhD candidate

graduated: Wageningen University (2013)


phone: +31 (0) 6 1564 6502

MOTIVATION

Starch is a natural polysaccharide that makes up a large part of the human diet. The compound itself is biodegradable and used in a wide variety of applications. Due to its relatively low price and its high availability, starch is an attractive substrate for (enzymatic) modification.

Structure of a typical glycosyltranferase;

this enzyme family is capable of modifying the structure of polysaccharides

The discovery of the GtfB enzyme (4,6-α-

glucanotransferase) opens up a new way to modify starch. This enzyme is able to alter the intrinsic properties of starch by cleaving α-1,4 glycosidic linkages and introducing α-1,6 glycosidic linkages to the polysaccharide. This change in the molecular building blocks of starch will ultimately result in the formation of novel polysaccharides that will have new and undiscovered physico-chemical properties.

Schematic representation of

GtfB starch modification (Yuxiang Bay, University of Groningen)

RESEARCH APPROACH

In order to quantify the amount of conversion and to identify the product properties, the conversion products are investigated on a chemical and physical level. Various properties will be analysed ranging from molecular weight to viscosity and from α-1,6 linkage content to adhesive strength. The variety of information is needed in order to categorize the novel polysaccharides and to scout out possible product applications.

The project is executed in collaboration with the CCC (Carbohydrate Competence Centre), that consists of 2 universities, 5 research institutes and 15 companies. Thesis topics are available and can be discussed in further detail by me.

The α-1,6 linkage has different properties compared to the common α-1,4 linkage found in starch. The aim of this project is to create a new generation of polysaccharides with added functionality for products in and outside the food industry, such as: • -food fibres • -slow energy release compounds • -texturizers • -pharmaceutical applications • -replacement of synthetic polymers • -natural adhesives • -biomedical materials • and many other possible applications.

Medium chain carboxylic acid production from non-food feedstock for biomaterials

Researcher:

Mark Roghair

Supervisors: David Strik, Marieke Bruins, Ruud Weusthuis

Promoter: Cees Buisman

Project period:

1.2013 to 1.2017

Mark Roghair, MSc; PhD candidate



phone: +31 (0) 6 4589 2353

MOTIVATION

Medium-chain-length carboxylic acids are important building blocks for polymers and resins. Conventional production processes of these chemicals have the disadvantage that petrochemical or food compounds are used as substrate. The use of agricultural residues or municipal solid waste as feedstock for the production of these (bio-based) chemicals is a promising alternative. However, the utilization of these waste streams into bio-based chemicals can only be feasible when an energy efficient process is used.


In this project, a novel, economic and eco-

friendly bioprocess concept for the production of medium-chain-length carboxylic acids will be developed.

The technological challenge is to find process conditions for the fermentation and downstream processing (DSP) steps that result in an efficient medium chain carboxylic acid production from agro-food residues. Ideally, the process involves high production rates and high conversion efficiencies while a minimal input of energy and additives is required. Other design criteria include high purification efficiencies and a minimal formation of waste or co-products.

Amino acid crystallization from agro-industry waste

Researcher:

Nathan Bowden

Supervisor: Marieke Bruins


Project period:

9.2013 to 9.2017

Nathan Bowden, MSc; PhD candidate

graduated: Indiana University


phone: +31 (0) 6 1444 6956

MOTIVATION

Amino acids have the potential to play an important part in a Bio-based Economy. This potential is expressed in the possibility of extracting amino acids out of agro-industrial waste for feedstock or bio-based products and energy.

This project concentrates on the crystallization of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids. Thereafter, these amino acids can be synthesized into many industrial products (e.g. Isoprene).

First, however, the solubility changes of amino acids in complexes as they react to different physical and chemical stimuli must be understood. Only then can these amino acids be crystallized on a scale feasible for industrial application.

Fig.1 Structural formula of a

model amino acid

Fig.2 Photo of amino acid crystals

CURRENT RESEARCH

• Optimize the extraction of amino acids from agro-industry waste

• Develop a technology to crystallize the amino acids on a bench level

• Projects can be in the field of chemistry, technology and process optimization

• This research ranges from the theoretical to the very applied

Economics and technology of biorefinery for animal feed sources

Researcher:

Marja Teekens

Supervisor: Marieke Bruins


Project period:

2.2013 to 2.2017

Marja Teekens, MSc, MBA; PhD candidate


phone: +31 (0) 6 2157 4664

MOTIVATION

Next to the increasing population, the increased use of biomass for the production of bio fuels, replacing fossil fuels, raises the demands for biomass for the Bio based Economy.

Conclusion: new biomass sources are needed to anticipate the higher demands.

We look at animal feed as a resource for the biobased economy. Biorefinery of animal feed sources can deliver both raw material for the Bio based Economy combined with an improvement of the quality of animal feed.

Hypothesis: Biorefinery can be used to improve feed quality, while using residues for biobased chemicals.


The aim of this research is a system analysis about how (and where) to use biomass in the most effective way, technological as well as economical.

Graphical representation of biomass streams

in the “Achterhoek”. Blocks represent processes and arrows

represent biomass streams (Verbaanderd, 2013).

RESEARCH APPROACH

Due to the growing demand for biomass, caused by an increasing world population and utilisation in industry, new strategies need to be developed. These could involve optimisation of:

• Biomass utilisation • Farm production/ harvest • Scaling

The research is done through:

• Literature research • Calculations • Modelling

New processing systems: modelling, simulation, experimental validation, design and control

dr.ir. Ton van Boxtel

Associate professor


phone: +31 (0) 317 484955

BACKGROUND

The biobased economy requests for new solutions in cultivation, processing and control. To find such solutions, mechanisms of conversion and separation are modelled and experimentally validated. Then the models are used to predict the performance of production systems which are often a combination of several units. The connection between the units is optimized for performance and sustainability (LCA) and effective control systems are designed.

THESIS SUBJECTS

• Mechanisms and models for preprocessing of biomass

• Integrated sustainable biorefineries (algae, lignocellulosic biomass, milk-to-powder)

• Processing in the region (system analysis and control)

• Control of individual and integrated processing steps in biorefineries

• Energy efficient drying (biomass, vegetables)

These thesis subjects are related to the research work of Sanne Moejes, Farnoosh Fasaei, Ellen Slegers, Rachel van Ooteghem

Cooperation with external partners is possible.

BIOPARCS

To make existing bio- or agro-production systems more sustainable we want to integrate all components such that all necessary facilities for the (agro )production cooperate. The need for transport is removed, the residue streams of processes are utilized, and energy is exchanged. It can also mean that processes on the field are combined with an end-processing step.

• For your own farm company at home: look at it from a biorefinery point of view. Determine the ingoing and outgoing material flows, and suggest other (better) ways to decrease the amount of waste and transport to and from the company.

ALGAE

Algae cultivation can be done in e.g. outdoor open ponds, vertical plates or vertical racks of plates. The growth – as with most plants – is a function of light intensity and temperature.

Energy management in algae cultivation systems

• To run an algae plant year round in the Netherlands we will need to heat and cool the water in an energy efficient way. One possibility to do this is to use an aquifer and a heat pump system. The feasibility of this technical solution has to be investigated. The available models have to be further developed to include heating and cooling, the storage and the retrieval cycle. Furthermore a control strategy has to be designed to determine which heat source is used at which time.

Bioparcs/Physics/Modelling

dr. Rachel van Ooteghem, MSc

Assistant Professor

e-mail: rachel [email protected]

phone: +31 (0) 317 482934

Light decay

• Study the light decay between vertical plates, racks of horizontal pipes. Determine a model for the amount of light as a function on height, and the day of the year (solar position), and the influence on direct or diffuse light.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Chicken growth (FTE/FanCom)

• Further develop a growth model of chicken based on the feed and water consumption. A feed supply advisor program should be able to advise the farmer to obtain a good final chicken weight, while maintaining the health of the chicken.

Cow feed (FTE)

• Cows are fed individually based on measurements of their milk quantity and quality. We want to improve a simple model that has been developed to an optimal feed system based on milk quantity and quality.

GREENHOUSE MODELLING AND CONTROL

• Climate control of new greenhouse configurations. Balance the use of heat pump, heat exchanger, aquifer and other components.

You are also free to propose an own topic.

Sustainable biorefinery and process design

Researcher:

Ellen Slegers

Supervisors: Ton van Boxtel

Project period:

12.2013 to 6.2017

Ir. Ellen Slegers, post-doc

graduated: Wageningen University, Biotechnology (2009)


phone: +31 (0) 317 484952

A biorefinery concerns the technology for processing of biomass to many products and is regarded as a key for a sustainable biobased economy. New technologies for sustainable processing have to be developed and the chain from source to products have to be organised along sustainable paths.

Fig 1 Sustainability aspects

MODELLING BIOREFINERIES

The technical design of biorefinery chains is complex, as many aspects are involved. In addition, the information on processing techniques is very diverse, ranging from well-

known traditional techniques to innovative ones that are still in research phase. We assess these chains using model simulations and optimisation.

Important issues are the ability to deal with fluctuations in the biomass supply and composition, production of a variety of products while achieving a sustainable process with economic viability.

LOGISTICS OF ALGAE CULTIVATION & BIOREFINERY

Algae are one of the interesting sources for the biobased economy. The suitability of areas for algae cultivation depends on the weather conditions, infrastructure and availability of resources. The processing of algae biomass into products can take place centrally or can be divided over several processing plants.

The main challenges are to study the logistic prerequisites for algae cultivation, which processing infrastructure is most suitable and to understand which characteristics and conditions lead to the selection of the specific optimal logistic network.

Fig.2 Algae biorefinery

OTHER TOPICS

• Modelling and validation of energy consumption in algae cultivation systems

• Validation of various algae growth models • Sensitivity/uncertainty analysis of algae

models • Design of an algae plant • Understanding of lignocellulose

pretreatment

System Analysis of Algae Biorefinery

Researcher:

Farnoosh Fasaei

Supervisors: Ton van Boxtel, Ellen Slegers


Project period:

9.2013 to 9.2017

Farnoosh Fasaei, MSc; PhD candidate

graduated: Wageningen University, Biotechnology)


phone: +31 (0) 317 482943

MOTIVATION

Production of biobased products from microalgae biomass is gaining widespread interest as a potential renewable energy source due to predictable future of fossil based resources. Moreover algae cultivation is an efficient method for turning solar energy and carbon dioxide into biomass, from which a wide range of products can be produced.

APPROACH AND CHALLENGES

The objective of this project is to design a sustainable algae biorefinery to produce variety of possible products by considering economic efficiency and operational flexibility of processing routes, LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) criteria and efficient recovery of resources.

TOPICS

• Design and modelling a sustainable algae biorefinery to produce carbohydrates

• Exergy analysis of algae biorefinery for biodiesel production

Redesign and optimization of the milk-to-powder production chain

Researcher:

Sanne Moejes

Supervisors: Ton van Boxtel


Project period:

12.2013 to 12.2017

Sanne Moejes, MSc; PhD candidate



phone: +31 (0) 6 1270 8172

MOTIVATION

The dairy industry is one of the most energy intensive industries within the food production. The production process for milk powder has not changed much over the last half a century, although there have been many inventions in these decades which could be applied within the production process of milk powder.

The aim of the EU-project ‘Enthalpy’ is to redesign the production chain of milk powder by combining the best opportunities of the current technology. Energy savings of 63% and water savings of 18% are expected within this project.

Examples of new process are: membrane distillation, air dehumidification with zeolites, a mono-dispersed droplet atomizer, radiofrequency heating, and more. Our task is to optimize the production chain, not only taking energy and water use into account, but also product quality and economic performance.

Fig. 1 From cow to milk powder

Fig. 2 Energy distribution along the dairy supply chain

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Modelling new process concepts for transport, heating, concentration, drying and energy supply.

• Sustainability analyses of the redesigned production chains.

• Modelling energy supply from sustainable resources.

• Optimization of the combination of different unit operations.

Mathematics, computers and simulation in bio-based and environmental sciences

dr.ir. Karel J Keesman

Associate Professor


phone: +31 (0) 317 483780

MOTIVATION

Recently, the Dutch government has indicated water, energy and agri-food as three, out of nine, top sectors. Hence, water and the water-

energy-material (WEM) nexus in a bio-

based/circular economy are interesting subjects for research that ask for innovative solutions.

In the past decade, there have been strong developments in communication (internet, e-

mail, smart phones, wireless), computation (Moore’s exponential law - processors, memory, storage capacity), sensor networks (data warehouses) and cyber science (integration of knowledge). These developments allow the implementation of smart, high-tech, cost-effective solutions to water/energy/material related problems in a bio-based/circular economy (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 From a linear to a circular metabolism

Fig. 2 Innovative integrated fish-plant system


• Our challenge is to use systems theory and information & communication technologies for data acquisition, data analysis, modelling and decision support, to understand, manage and design bio-based and environmental systems for efficient use of energy, water and materials for many different purposes (Fig. 2)

• Our focus is on biological nutrient cycles, material recovery, active storage of food/feed/bio-based materials (Fig 3), and energy-water-material balances in an urban environment.

Fig. 3 CFD for design of storage facility

Real-time accounting and simulation of dynamic energy-water-material balances for achieving

liveable and sustainable cities of the future Researcher:

Elvira Bozileva

Supervisors: Karel Keesman, Ingo Leusbrock

Promoter: Huub Rijnaarts

Project period:

9.2013 to 9.2017

Elvira Bozileva, MSc; PhD candidate

graduated: Wageningen University, UTwente, RUG (2013)


phone: +31 (0) 317 482943

MOTIVATION

Rapid population growth and industrialization in the last decades resulted in an enormous stress on ecosystems, resources, political systems and economies. In urban areas, these stresses are especially high, since our cities consume large amounts of resources (e.g., water, energy, nutrients) and convert these to low value waste streams (linear metabolism). Apart from that, local renewable resources (rain, solar, wind etc.) are often neglected in current supply schemes. Unlike self-sufficient natural systems, which make use of sustainable inputs and recycling mechanisms, cities at the current stage cannot be considered sustainable.

TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES

• Complex system: high number of interconnected subsystems, tempo-spatial scales, feedback fluxes;

• Multidisciplinary research: conversions of water, energy and (biodegradable) materials;

• Integration of existing (sub-)models developed in isolation from each other into a single model;

• Reduction of the model complexity without significantly reducing its accuracy.

Mimicking natural systems can stimulate a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and a more circular metabolism of cities.

A number of technological and infrastructure concepts to facilitate this shift has been proposed . However, the proposed concepts often focus on optimizing a very narrow part of the system (city) without taking into account other system’s elements. Therefore, the combined effect of these concepts on a system can be far from optimal.

Modelling can aid greatly in studying these combined effects. Developing of models that could simulate the conversions of the resources within a city is the objective of the current research.

2015 BCT Thesis subjects.pdf

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