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Author Brienza, F.; Van Aelst, K.; Devred, F.; Magnin, D.; Tschulkow, M.; Nimmegeers, P.; Van Passel, S.; Sels, B.F.; Gerin, P.; Debecker, D.P.; Cybulska, I.
Title Unleashing lignin potential through the dithionite-assisted organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Chemical Engineering Journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J
Volume 450 Issue 3 Pages 138179-14
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)
Abstract The development of biomass pretreatment approaches that, next to (hemi)cellulose valorization, aim at the conversion of lignin to chemicals is essential for the long-term success of a biorefinery. Herein, we discuss a dithionite-assisted organosolv fractionation (DAOF) of lignocellulose in n-butanol and water to produce cellulosic pulp and mono-/oligo-aromatics. The study frames the technicalities of this biorefinery process and relates them to the features of the obtained product streams. We comprehensively identify and quantify all products of interest: solid pulp (acid hydrolysis-HPLC, ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM, enzymatic hydrolysis-HPLC), lignin derivatives (GPC, GC-MS/FID, 1H-13C HSQC NMR, ICP-AES), and carbohydrate derivatives (HPLC). These results were used for inspecting the economic feasibility of DAOF. In the best process configuration, a high yield of monophenolics was reached (~20%, based on acid insoluble lignin in birch sawdust). Various other lignocellulosic feedstocks were also explored, showing that DAOF is particularly effective on hardwood and herbaceous biomass. Overall, this study demonstrates that DAOF is a viable fractionation method for the sustainable upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000888204900005 Publication Date 2022-07-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 15.1
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189322 Serial 7373
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Author Wang, Y.; Chen, Y.; Harding, J.; He, H.; Bogaerts, A.; Tu, X.
Title Catalyst-free single-step plasma reforming of CH4 and CO2 to higher value oxygenates under ambient conditions Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Chemical Engineering Journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J
Volume 450 Issue Pages 137860
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Direct conversion of CH4 and CO2 to liquid fuels and chemicals under mild conditions is appealing for biogas conversion and utilization but challenging due to the inert nature of both gases. Herein, we report a promising plasma process for the catalyst-free single-step conversion of CH4 and CO2 into higher value oxygenates (i.e., methanol, acetic acid, ethanol, and acetone) at ambient pressure and room temperature using a water-cooled dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor, with methanol being the main liquid product. The distribution of liquid products could be tailored by tuning the discharge power, reaction temperature and residence time. Lower discharge powers (10–15 W) and reaction temperatures (5–20 ◦ C) were favourable for the production of liquid products, achieving the highest methanol selectivity of 43% at 5 ◦ C and 15 W. A higher discharge power and reaction temperature, on the other hand, produced more gaseous products, particularly H2 (up to 26% selec­tivity) and CO (up to 33% selectivity). In addition, varying these process parameters (discharge power, reaction temperature and residence time) resulted in a simultaneous change in key discharge properties, such as mean electron energy (Ee), electron density (ne) and specific energy input (SEI), all of which are essential determiners of plasma chemical reactions. According to the results of artificial neural network (ANN) models, the relative importance of these process parameters and key discharge indicators on reaction performance follows the order: discharge power > reaction temperature > residence time, and SEI > ne > Ee, respectively. This work provides new insights into the contributions and tuning mechanism of multiple parameters for optimizing the reaction performance (e.g., liquid production) in the plasma gas conversion process.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000830813300004 Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie SklodowskaCurie grant agreement No. 813393. Approved Most recent IF: 15.1
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:189502 Serial 7100
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Author Segura, P.C.; De Meur, Q.; Alloul, A.; Tanghe, A.; Onderwater, R.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Vande Wouwer, A.; Wattiez, R.; Dewasme, L.; Leroy, B.
Title Preferential photoassimilation of volatile fatty acids by purple non-sulfur bacteria : experimental kinetics and dynamic modelling Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Biochemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal Biochem Eng J
Volume 186 Issue Pages 108547-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) are known for their metabolic versatility and thrive as anoxygenic photoheterotrophs. In environmental engineering and resource recovery, cells would grow on mixtures of volatile fatty acids (VFA) generated by anaerobic fermentation of waste streams. In this study, we aim to better understand the behavior of Rhodospirillum rubrum, a model PNSB species, grown using multiple VFA as carbon sources. We highlighted that assimilation of individual VFA follows a sequential pattern. Based on observations in other PNSB, this seems to be specific to isocitrate lyase-lacking organisms. We hypothesized that the inhibition phenomenon could be due to the regulation of the metabolic fluxes in the substrate cycle between acetoacetyl-CoA and crotonyl-CoA. Developed macroscopic dynamic models showed a good predictive capability for substrate competition for every VFA mixture containing acetate, propionate, and/or butyrate. These novel insights provide valuable input for better design and operation of PNSB-based waste treatment solutions.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000891992900005 Publication Date 2022-07-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1369-703x; 1873-295x ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192741 Serial 7332
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Author Verbruggen, S.W.; Ribbens, S.; Tytgat, T.; Hauchecorne, B.; Smits, M.; Meynen, V.; Cool, P.; Martens, J.A.; Lenaerts, S.
Title The benefit of glass bead supports for efficient gas phase photocatalysis : case study of a commercial and a synthesised photocatalyst Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J
Volume 174 Issue 1 Pages 318-325
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract In the field of photocatalytic air purification, the immobilisation of catalyst particles on support surfaces without loss of photon efficiency is an important challenge. Therefore, an immobilisation method involving a one-step suspension coating of pre-synthesised photocatalysts on glass beads was applied. The various benefits are exemplified in the gas phase photodegradation of ethylene. Coating of glass beads is easy, fast, cheap and offers a more efficient alternative to bulk catalyst pellets. Furthermore, this coating procedure allows to use porous, pre-synthesised catalysts to their full potential, as the surface area and morphology of the initial powder is barely altered after coating, in strong contrast to pelletising. With this technique it became possible to study the gas phase photocatalytic activity of commercial titanium dioxide, trititanate nanotubes and mixed phase anatase/trititanate nanotubes in a packed bed reactor towards the degradation of ethylene without changing the catalyst properties. Coating of glass beads with the photocatalyst revealed the superior activity of the as-prepared nanotubes, compared to TiO2 Aerolyst® 7710 in gaseous phase.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000296950300041 Publication Date 2011-09-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.216 Times cited 39 Open Access
Notes ; The author wishes to acknowledge the Research Foundation of Flanders (FWO) for the financial support. Evonik is greatly thanked for supplying the TiO<INF>2</ INF> Aerolyst (R) 7710 pellets. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.216; 2011 IF: 3.461
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:93364 Serial 5929
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Author Smeulders, G.; van Oers, C.; Van Havenbergh, K.; Houthoofd, K.; Mertens, M.; Martens, J.A.; Bals, S.; Maes, B.U.W.; Meynen, V.; Cool, P.
Title Smart heating profiles for the synthesis of benzene bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J
Volume 175 Issue Pages 585-591
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Organic synthesis (ORSY)
Abstract In this study the effects of the heating rate and heating time on the formation of crystal-like benzene bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) are investigated. The time needed to heat up an autoclave during the hydrothermal treatment has shown to be crucial in the synthesis of PMOs, while the total duration of heating gave rise to only minor differences. By choosing a smart heating profile, superior PMO materials can be obtained in a short time. Different heating profiles in a range from one minute to one hour are adopted by microwave equipment and compared with conventional heating methods. The heating rate has a large influence on the porosity characteristics and the uniformity of the obtained particles. Moreover, two new alternative synthetic strategies to adopt the smart heating profile are presented, in order to give some possible solutions for the expensive microwave equipment.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Lausanne Editor
Language Wos 000297875900069 Publication Date 2011-10-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; ISBN Additional Links (up) UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.216 Times cited 7 Open Access
Notes Fwo; Goa-Bof Approved Most recent IF: 6.216; 2011 IF: 3.461
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:93630 Serial 3044
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