Novel approach of value-added valorisation of biocarbon materials derived from gasification of food industry waste

The primary objective of this project is to enhance knowledge of the thermochemical conversion of food industry waste through the gasification process, yielding high-quality, hydrogen-rich gaseous products and valorising solid residue (char) into value-added materials. The project aims to explain the mechanisms involved in cutting-edge catalytic gasification and identify the enhancement properties of char toward CO2 capture, adsorption of organic pollutants, and catalysis for thermochemical conversion processes.
According to the project plan, food industry waste will be treated via a gasification process under an atmosphere of a CO2 and H2O mixture, in the presence of a catalyst, to obtain a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. Solid residues are investigating in terms of their adsorption and catalytic properties, as well as their CO2 capture capacity. Next, char is valorised via physical and chemical processes to enhance the adsorption, sequestration, and catalytic properties. Additionally, kinetics, thermodynamics and numerical calculations are provided. Aspen Plus software is used to develop the chemical reaction model of the gasification process. The obtained calculated results will be experimentally validated.
The project is realised according to the following work packages and tasks:
WP1: Investigations of the catalytic gasification process to syngas and solid residue.
T1. Determination of the physical and chemical properties of the feedstocks studied.
T2. Preliminary investigations of gasification: ratio of CO2 to H2O and selection of catalyst.
T3. Major experiments of catalytic gasification of food industry waste (identification of effects of steam and catalyst structure on H2 yield, physical and chemical characteristics of solid residue).
WP2: Calculation investigations of catalytic gasification.
T4. Kinetics and thermodynamic calculations of the gasification process.
T5. Computational investigations using Aspen Plus software to develop a gasification model.
T6. Experimental validation of the results obtained through calculations.
WP3: Investigations of modification of solid residue through physical and chemical treatment processes.
T7. Identification parameters of solid residue for biomaterials to carbon sequestration.
T8. Investigations of solid residue to improve the adsorption properties of organic impurities.
T9. Elucidate of the structure-functional characteristics of the catalyst based on the solid residue.
The studied feedstocks are being investigated in terms of ultimate and proximate analysis. Next, the physical and chemical properties of gaseous products and solid residues before and after the valorisation processes (biomaterials) is determined using advanced instrumental methods such as GC, STA, FTIR, XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, BET, Raman, pH, and XPS.
The results of the FoodWastValor project will provide new fundamental knowledge related to the treatment of waste through catalytic gasification, the production of high-hydrogen syngas, the valorisation of materials, and the application of these materials for capturing organic pollutants and CO2, as well as the preparation of a new catalyst. Thus, the project is original and innovative, taking into account the research aspects. The project enables the production of new materials while adhering to high environmental standards and reduces waste in accordance with the circular economy concept.