Intensified processes for catalytic recycling of waste products

重要的废物在不同的工业过程中不断产生。甘油和二氧化碳是其中的两种成分，不仅产量很大，而且预计在未来几十年还会增长。甘油是生物柴油生产过程中的主要副产物。每生产一吨生物柴油可生产约100公斤甘油。强烈的能源需求以及生物柴油在世界能源矩阵中的作用日益增加，逐渐增加了甘油的产量，并导致其在全球市场上供过于求。二氧化碳被认为是造成全球气候变化的主要因素。在所有人为排放的二氧化碳中，约有三分之一来自用于发电的化石燃料。此外，各种工业过程（炼油厂、水泥厂、钢铁部门和铝生产）每年向大气中排放大量的二氧化碳。

Important wastes are continuously produced in different industrial processes. Glycerol and carbon dioxide are among the components produced not only in very large amounts but which are expected to grow in coming decades. Glycerol is the main by-product of bio-diesel production process. Approximately 100 kg of glycerol is obtained for each ton of bio-diesel. Intense energy demand as well as increased role of biodiesel in the world energy matrix progressively increased glycerol production and caused its oversupply at the global market. CO2 is considered to have a major contribution to the global climate change. About one third of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions come from fossil fuels used for energy generation. In addition, various industrial processes (oil refineries, cement works, iron & steel sector and aluminum production) annually emit huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Promising approaches for glycerol valorization by innovative technologies are intensified process coupling its conversion with CO2 capture or using solar energy. As the capture process leads to almost pure CO2 flow ready for further use or sequestration, by considering CO2 as a resource instead of a waste, its conversion into oxygenated compounds (like alternative fuels such as dimethyl ether, a potential alternative to Diesel with high energetic efficiency and low emissions) is an interesting and efficient alternative to CO2 sequestration by chemical recycling. The application of conventional processes is not yet industrially acceptable due to the low conversions, product yield and selectivity. Thereby, development of a selective catalytic process with high conversion is essential from both of environmental and economic points of view. This research program is directed towards glycerol and CO2 valorization to high value products by intensified catalytic processes. Our long-term research program is directed towards glycerol and CO2 valorization to value-added products by intensified catalytic processes. The short-term research program for the next five years will be divided into three directions: H2 production by intensified steam glycerol reforming, glycerol valorization into value-added products by an intensified photocatalytic process, and CO2 valorization to methanol and dimethyl ether by intensified catalytic conversion. As the research program is directed towards different aspects related to environmental engineering, all students involved in different projects (4 PhD, 2 MSc and 6 undergraduate) will have the opportunity to interact with each other and share their experience and their skills with one another. They will be trained in important research areas such as gas separations, industrial residues/waste valorization, CO2 chemical recycling, production of hydrogen and high-value products, catalysis, thus preparing them for the job market in both academic, research and industrial areas.