KAFKA - Development of cascade reactions for a circular economy

In comparison to fossil resources, biogenic resources have a significantly more complex chemical structure, making the conversion of biogenic waste into defined, high-quality chemical products challenging. While there are many possible individual processes for converting biomass into various chemical products (more intermediate stages), a combination of these processes is necessary to ultimately obtain a high-quality usable product. The existing individual processes can be divided into three major groups: thermal, biotechnological, and electrochemical processes. The sensible choice of process combination depends on the biogenic raw material and the desired end product. Due to the numerous variables involved, the development of new processes is therefore time-consuming and costly. The goal of KAFKA is to significantly shorten the development time for new biorefinery processes while demonstrating the potential of process cascades for producing high-quality chemical products from biomass.

The heart of the project is the development of a novel reactor platform where biotechnological, electrochemical, and thermal processes can be flexibly combined. Subsequently, the potential of this reactor platform is demonstrated through biorefinery processes, such as the conversion of cellulose into high-quality olefins (bio-electrochemical process) and the conversion of lignin into molecular aromatic products (thermal-electrochemical process).

For Protovation, the project enables the development of a novel reactor platform applicable in many areas of the chemical industry and process engineering. Particularly in process development and intensification, the reactor platform allows for rapid and efficient optimizations. While the main goal in the planned project is the adaptation of the platform for biorefinery processes, subsequent activities may also encompass further application areas in the chemical industry.

The implementation of the platform is modular. In parallel processes in the research laboratory, the relevant reaction conditions of a first bio-electrochemical reaction are investigated. With these conditions, the first two reactor modules are then planned and constructed. After the successful completion of an initial cascade reaction, additional modules are built using the same method.

The innovation and novelty of the proposed concept and tested reactions also strengthen Austria's position in the field of science, and the achievement of project goals will generate international attention for Austria as a research hub. The close collaboration between a research center and a young, innovative company also strengthens the cooperation between science and industry in Austria.

Project lead

Dr.techn. Stefan Stadlbauer
Protovation

Project partner

CEST

Dr.techn. Stefan Stadlbauer
Protovation
Grünsbach 83, 3202 Hofstetten
Tel.: +43 664 2393207
E-Mail: office@protovation.at
www.protovation.at