The University of Twente (UT) is participating in the recently granted Horizon 2020 EBIO project. This project focuses on upgrading liquified biomass to high-value fuels for road transport. The project will run for four years and has a budget of more than €4 million. The innovative ambitions of this European project are to help achieve the objectives laid down by the United Nations in the field of sustainability and a circular economy. Prof. Guido Mul: “Biofuels are sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, use of which significantly reduces the CO2 footprint of travel. The participation of the UT in this project allows us to contribute to develop technologies to supply clean and affordable biofuels, and that our collaboration with the Biomass Technology Group BV – BTG, based in Enschede, is strengthened. ” Dr Bastian Mei coordinates the work at the UT.
Transition to a low-carbon economy
The technological basis of the project is key to our transition to a competitive low-carbon economy with compact and cost-efficient solutions for renewable energy production. The proposed concepts will help accelerate and reduce the costs of the production of sustainable transport fuels.
The role of the UT
As one of the two universities involved in EBIO, the UT is mainly responsible for the development of materials for the electrochemical conversion of acidic components in pyrolysis liquid and optimization of the related process parameters. This gives Prof. Guido Mul’s PhotoCatalytic Synthesis (PCS) group, which works closely with the participating institutes and companies, a direct contribution to, and participation in the construction of small pilot plants.
Only two raw materials
The research focuses on the electrochemical conversion of two typical, readily available industrial bioliquids: pyrolysis liquid and lignin-containing black liquor. Through a multi-step process, these low-value chemicals can be converted into green fuels and biochemicals. Using only these two raw materials, successful implementation of EBIO technology can lead to a minimum annual production of 60 million tons of biofuels in the European countries hosting the project.
EBIO’s unique feature
EBIO is unique in that it uses sustainable electricity and water, rather than fossil-based hydrogen in the first processing phase; this results in an improved environmental footprint. Using an integrated approach to the whole process, EBIO will validate the new technology by means of a small-scale pilot project (technology readiness level 4 (TRL4)). This will form the basis for later up-scaling of the process. The experimental development will be substantiated by a broad sustainability analysis which will include the economic feasibility and environmental footprint of the technology and its impact on society and the development of rural areas. The scientific and technical know-how gained, will provide the foundations for a technologically feasible concept with advantages for society, the environment, and the economy.
