Clara Jarauta-Córdoba

The aqueous-phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol was studied in Ni/CeO₂ catalytic systems prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. The operating conditions were 34 bar, 227 ºC, 5 wt.% of glycerol, and a W/m_glycerol = 20 g catalyst min/g glycerol without a hydrogen supply. The effect of the catalyst preparation conditions on the catalytic activity and physicochemical properties of the catalysts was assessed, particularly the calcination temperature of the support, the calcination temperature of the catalyst, and the Ni content. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were determined by N₂ adsorption, H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD, and XRD, among other techniques. A relevant increase in acidity was observed when increasing the nickel content up to 20 wt.%. The increase in the calcination temperatures of the supports and catalysts showed a detrimental effect on the specific surface area and acid properties of the catalysts, which were crucial to the selectivity of the reaction. These catalysts notably enhanced the yield of liquid products, achieving global glycerol conversion values ranging from 17.1 to 29.0% and carbon yield to liquids ranging from 12.6 to 24.0%. Acetol and 1,2-propanediol were the most abundant products obtained in the liquid stream.

In the quest for a sustainable future, energy-intensive industries (EIIs) stand at the forefront of Europe’s decarbonisation mission. Despite their significant emissions footprint, the path to comprehensive decarbonisation remains elusive at EU and national levels. This study scrutinises key sectors such as non-ferrous metals, steel, cement, lime, chemicals, fertilisers, ceramics, and glass. It maps out their current environmental impact and potential for mitigation through innovative strategies. The analysis spans across Spain, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, highlighting sector-specific ecosystems and the technological breakthroughs shaping them. It addresses the urgency for the industry-wide adoption of electrification, the utilisation of green hydrogen, biomass, bio-based or synthetic fuels, and the deployment of carbon capture utilisation and storage to ensure a smooth transition. Investment decisions in EIIs will depend on predictable economic and regulatory landscapes. This analysis discusses the risks associated with continued investment in high-emission technologies, which may lead to premature decommissioning and significant economic repercussions. It presents a dichotomy: invest in climate-neutral technologies now or face the closure and offshoring of operations later, with consequences for employment. This open discussion concludes that while the technology for near-complete climate neutrality in EIIs exists and is rapidly advancing, the higher costs compared to conventional methods pose a significant barrier. Without the ability to pass these costs to consumers, the adoption of such technologies is stifled. Therefore, it calls for decisive political commitment to support the industry’s transition, ensuring a greener, more resilient future for Europe’s industrial backbone.

The current climatic and geopolitical situation leads to strong decarbonisation policies in several industries worldwide. Moreover, the European Union is pushing intensive industries to achieve a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions towards 2030. Among them, the steel manufacturing sector is at the lead of alternative projects that can help achieve this ambitious target. Co-production of syngas and biochar is one potential solution for this sector. Herein, a techno-economic analysis is provided to evaluate the economic feasibility and the effect of the most influential parameters for a successful deployment. A bibliographic review has been carried out to establish a clear baseline for such an analysis in terms of investment costs at several scales for gasification projects. Additionally, the cost evolution for coke, natural gas, and CO₂ emission credits on the profitability of these projects are given. The case scenario processing 20,000 t_biomass/y is the most feasible solution, with a payback of around three years and a net present value (NPV) of around 15 million EUR, showing that biomass gasification can be an up-and-coming alternative in the mid-term.

The production of biogas through the conversion of organic waste into energy and bio-products of added value has the potential to play a significant role in the transition towards a more sustainable and decarbonized energy system

The chemo-selective hydrogenolysis of secondary hydroxyls is an important reaction for the production of biomass-derived α,ω-diols. This is the case for 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol. Supported Pt-WO_x materials are effective catalysts for this transformation, and their activity is often related to the tungsten surface density and Brönsted acidity, although there are discrepancies in this regard. In this work, a series of Pt-WO_x/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by modifying the pH of the solutions used in the active metal impregnation step. The activity–structure relationships, together with the results from the addition of in situ titrants, i.e., 2,6-di-tert-butyl-pyridine or pyridine, helped in elucidating the nature of the bifunctional active sites for the selective production of 1,3-propanediol.