Nanofiltration as a technique holds great promise for bio-refinery applications as it is a low energy approach towards fractionation and/or concentration of relevant small organic molecules. Unfortunately, the current generation of NF membranes were designed for desalination purposes and lack suitable properties for Bio-refinery applications. In this project, we will develop nanofiltration membranes specifically for biorefineries based on polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) deposition. A focus will be on the stability of the membranes, creating membranes that are stable in organic solvents, but also at extreme pH values.
Home Institution: University of Twente (Netherlands, www.utwente.nl)
Secondments: LUT University (Finland www.lut.fi), NX Filtration (Netherlands, www.nxfiltration.com), RAIZ-Navigator (Portugal, https://en.thenavigatorcompany.com/)
Supervisors: Prof. Wiebe M. de Vos (University of Twente), Prof. Mika Mänttäri (LUT University), Prof. Nieck Benes (University of Twente), Dr. Hannah Roth (University of Twente).
This project aims to the novel cellulosic membranes which are more resistant for microbes and solvents than existing cellulose-based membranes. Membranes are manufactured with phase inversion method from cellulose fraction recovered from wood fractions (side or waste streams of forest industry) by using deep eutectic solvents (DES). The target market for the novel membrane is in different biorefinery applications, for instance in the recovery of hemicelluloses or lignin from biomass-based side streams or extracts, in purification of wastewaters of biorefineries and in recycling of solvents.
Home university: LUT University (Finland, www.lut.fi)
Secondments: Nova University of Lisbon (Portugal, www.unl.pt) and Fibenol (Estonia, www.fibenol.com)
Supervisors: Prof. Mari Kallioinen-Mänttäri (LUT University), second supervisor Prof. João Crespo (Nova University of Lisbon)
Catalytic processes in biorefineries are associated with the need to deconstruct biomass and transform it into valuable products. Several problems are generally connected with this process, such as the need to remove inhibition products from the reaction mixture, decrease energy consumption by using mild operative conditions, have a highly selective and continuous catalytic reaction, and easily integrate catalysis with separation processes. To enable more efficient biorefinery processes this project will study and develop eco-friendly nanostructured membranes tuned to permit enzyme compartmentalization for bioconversion in mild reaction conditions, and easy integration with membrane separation mechanisms such as size exclusion and charge repulsion (as in nanofiltration, NF), solution diffusion (as in pervaporation, PV), or partition (as in membrane-based solvent extraction, MBSX) and membrane emulsification, ME). To prevent biofouling and enhance enzyme-loaded membranes lifetime, membranes will be also functionalized with molecules that have biocidal activity mimicking the defense of plants against pathogens.
Home Institution: National Research Council-Institute on Membrane Technology, on the campus of the University of Calabria (Italy, www.itm.cnr.it). The PhD student will be registered at the University of Calabria in the Department of Physics, Doctorate in "Physical, Chemical and Materials Sciences and Technologies” and will carry out the research activity at CNR-ITM.
Secondments: Lancaster University (United Kingdom, www.lancaster.ac.uk) and Deltamem (Switzerland, www.deltamem.ch)
Supervisors: Dr. Lidietta Giorno (CNR-ITM), Dr. Rosalinda Mazzei (CNR-ITM), Gabriella Cipparrone (University of Calabria), Prof. Emmanuoil Papaioannou (University of Lancaster)
Membrane fouling in complex systems can be considered one of the major challenges for membranes to operate in biorefinery applications. First, more detailed understanding is required to pinpoint fouling mechanisms, and to validate fouling models. Subsequently an approach can be developed to alleviate fouling. This project will therefore study membrane fouling studies using artificial and real biorefinery streams, in combination with state-of-the-art fouling identification methods (Reflectometry, ATR-FTIR, SEM-XPS) and membrane fouling models. This approach will allow elucidation of fouling mechanism specific to biorefinery applications. Based on the created understanding, process conditions and cleaning approaches in biorefinery processes will be optimized to minimise the fouling and to maximise the selectivity.
Home Institution: University of Twente (Netherlands, www.utwente.nl)
Secondments: Lund University (Sweden www.lunduniversity.lu.se), Alfa Laval (Sweden, www.alfalaval.com)
Supervisors: Prof. Wiebe M. de Vos (University of Twente), Prof. Frank Lipnizki (Lund University), Dr. Antoine Kemperman (University of Twente), Dr. Sander Haase (University of Twente).
In-situ analysis of membrane (bio)fouling using molecular probes
This project aims for the development of in-situ monitoring techniques based on the use of molecular probes able to report phenomena at nanoscale. Two main problems will be addressed: the development of biofouling and the onset of scaling, at the membrane surface. The probes to be used can modify their fluorescence emission behavior when specific compounds are in their vicinity. In a previous study we demonstrated the possibility to monitor temperature at a molecular scale, in membrane distillation processes, using as a fluorescence reporter a ruthenium-based fluorophore. In the proposed project we aim to respond/monitor:
1 - the concentration of dissolved oxygen (extremely important for monitoring of the onset of biofouling);
2 – the concentration of calcium ions, Ca2+.
Home university: Nova University of Lisbon (Portugal, www.unl.pt)
Secondments: CNR-ITM (Italy, www.itm.cnr.it) and B4C (Denmark, www.b4c.net)
Supervisors: Dr. Carla Portugal (Nova University of Lisbon); second supervisors Prof. João Crespo (Nova University of Lisbon) and Lidietta Giorno (CNR-ITM)
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/281268
DEAD-LINE: 4th of Nov 2024
This project aims to improved understanding on the use of polymeric and ceramic membranes in the separate salts from the filtrates of the textile spinning regeneration bath acidic conditions prevailing for instance in biorefining processes, in which acidic hydrolysis has been utilised to recover biocompounds from different biomass sources or which are produced in the manufacturing of different biobased polymers. The possibility to use membrane filtration in the treatment of these process and waste streams would have a significant influence on the resource efficiency both in the use of water and chemicals. To enable the development of sustainable membrane processes for this purpose more detailed understanding on the performance and stability of the membranes under the prevailing conditions is needed than what is available today.
The objectives of this project are to improve the understanding on that how the separation matrix in the chosen membranes is influenced by the acidic conditions how acidic conditions and ionic strength affect the separation performance and filtration capacity, and stability how the acidic conditions influence on fouling in the filtration of the streams with high organic load evaluate the usability of the membranes in the treatment of three selected acidic biorefinery streams
Home university: LUT University (Finland, www.lut.fi)
Secondments: University of Twente (Netherlands, www.utwente.nl) and UPM (Finland, www.UPM.com)
Supervisors: Prof. Mika Mänttäri (LUT University), second supervisor Prof. Wiebe de Vos (University of Twente)
To impart self-cleaning properties to membranes and at the same time increase their selectivity and permeability, this project will study hierarchically ordered multi-layered nanostructures bearing multifunctional properties (including catalytic, biocidal, anti-adhesion, magnetic, electrical charge, etc.). Bio-inspired structural assembly (e.g. promoting asymmetric porosity, electrical gradient) and operating fluid dynamics (e.g. tangential laminar flow) will be investigated to understand, for example, the paradigm shift of promoting flux through the membrane from larger to smaller pores (like the natural basal membrane does, and unlikely the current synthetic membranes work) while maintaining high selectivity and sustainable flux. Functionalized nanoparticles (NPs, made of different responsive materials and with sizes from micron- to nano-scale) will be used to achieve hierarchically ordered and multifunctional structures.
Home Institution: National Research Council-Institute on Membrane Technology, on the campus of the University of Calabria (Italy, www.itm.cnr.it). The PhD student will be registered at the University of Calabria in the Department of Physics, Doctorate in "Physical, Chemical and Materials Sciences and Technologies” and will carry out the research activity at CNR-ITM.
Secondments: Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Portugal, www.unl.pt); MemBrain (Czech Republic, www.membrain.cz)
Supervisors: Dr. Lidietta Giorno (CNR-ITM), Prof. Joao Crespo (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), Dr. Rosalinda Mazzei (CNR-ITM), Gabriella Cipparrone (University of Calabria)
Fusel oils are by-products of bioethanol production and they are mostly the aqueous mixture of C2-C5 alcohols, constituting 0.10-0.15wt.% of raw ethanol. Owing to the expanding production of bioethanol, there is an expanding need for the processes enabling the utilisation of these side streams. Various research show that fusel oils can contain even up to 150 different compounds and that is considered as raw material for various value-added products. The condition for effective management of fusel oils is their full or partial dehydration, separation and further processing towards the desired products. The main goal of the project is to develop an innovative method for dewatering of fusel oils, using a membrane separation technique (PV in liquid or vapor phase) followed by their separation and further processing (esterification, catalytic dehydration) towards products possessing high market potential (solvents, thinners, biodegradable lubricants, active pharmaceutical ingredients). Chemometrics methods will be utilized for the optimization of the separation process. During the industrial secondment at Membrain company PV membranes will be developed and tested.
Home Institution: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland, www.chem.umk.pl, https://sites.google.com/view/membranesncu/)
Secondments: Lund University (Sweden, www.lunduniversity.lu.se) and MemBrain (Czech, www.membrain.com)
Supervisors: Prof. Wojciech Kujawski (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń) and prof. Frank Lipnizki (Lund University)
High phytic acid concentrations currently limit the use of the by-products streams, e.g. in the food industry, since phytic acid is an anti-nutrient chelating mineral, and thus high concentrations of it increase the risk of iron deficiency of consumers. Thus, the focus of this project will be on the removal and recovery of phytic acid and proteins from oilseed press cake (rapeseed and hemp) and oat fibre residues by membrane processes. The oilseed press cakes are by-products from the vegetable oil production and oat fibre residues result from oat beverage production. By combining membrane processes with mild protein extraction methods, it is aimed to reduce the phytic acid content. Ultrafiltration (UF) with diafiltration (DF) will be used to concentrate and purify the protein, while reverse osmosis (RO) will be used to concentrate the phytic acid. Furthermore, forward osmosis (FO)and electrodialysis (ED) will be explored as concentration and purifications alternatives. The protein-rich retentate will be tested for extrusion into meat analogues, while concentrated ad purified phytic acid has a great potential as raw material for the dental care and pharmaceutical industries.
Home Institution: Lund University (Sweden, www.lunduniversity.lu.se) Membrane Group (www.membranegroup.lu.se)
Secondments: University of Lappeenranta (Finland, www.lut.fi) and Aquaporin (Denmark, aquaporin.com)
Supervisors: Prof. Frank Lipnizki (Lund University), Prof. Mika Mänttäri (LUT University), Dr. Jeanette Purhagen (Lund University) and Dr. Karolina Östbring (Lund University)
Biorefineries face two significant challenges: (1) reliance on energy-intensive thermal separation and (2) inefficient batch processes. This project tackles these challenges by proposing a new downstream processing concept for biobutanol production. The concept revolves around directly submerging a hydrophobic pervaporation or forward osmosis membrane directly within the fermenter. This design enables continuous fermentation and pre-concentration of the biofuel in a single step, significantly reducing dependence on thermal separation processes. Furthermore, vibrations will be strategically applied to the membrane bioreactor to minimize fouling, ensuring extended operation. This approach aims to streamline the downstream processing. By employing just two units, the system can achieve several crucial functions: removing unwanted insoluble materials, isolating and purifying the target products, and even pre-concentrating hem. To underline its potential, the project will conduct a techno-economic and environmental analysis, benchmarking this novel concept against existing bio-butanol and bio-ethanol production processes that utilize various substrates. Overall, this project aims to improve downstream processing by creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient method for producing biofuels and biochemicals.
Home Institution: Lund University (Sweden, www.lunduniversity.lu.se) Membrane Group (www.membranegroup.lu.se)
Secondments: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland, www.umk.pl/en/ ) and Aquaporin (Denmark, aquaporin.com)
Supervisors: Prof. Frank Lipnizki (Lund University) and Prof. Wojciech Kujawski (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń)
The main objectives of this project are to develop an innovative, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient continuous production method for low molecular weight organic acids, such as lactic acid or succinic acid, utilizing a membrane bioreactor. The chosen substrates for this process will be waste from the juice industry (e.g. apple pomace, carrot pomace etc.) This new approach to bio-renewables production is anticipated to:
- Significantly increase the production rate of platform chemicals, thereby reducing production costs.
- Support the simultaneous microbial production and separation in a single step, minimizing space requirements.
- Alleviate environmental issues arising from agri-food wastes by transforming them into valuable products.
The biotransformation potential of juice industry waste materials into succinic or lactic acid will be established using a continuous membrane bioreactor, where microbial production and separation will occur simultaneously. Additionally, information on required pre-treatments for the waste streams will be generated.
Home University: Lancaster University (UK, https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/)
Secondments: CNR-ITM (Italy, www.itm.cnr.it) and NX Filtration (Netherlands, www.nxfiltration.com)
Supervisors: Dr Emmanouil H. Papaioannou (Lancaster University), second supervisor Dr Lidietta Giorno (CNR-ITM)
Doctoral student positions will be opened during April 2024.