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We at ECQV aim, among our objectives, to create an international-reference environment on development of new applications that add value to bioresources, and the optimization of material properties allowing a sustainable development.

R&D Interests

Performance:
Process Engineering

The increase in profitability resulting from the incorporation of specialty chemicals and material, derived from traditional sources or bioresources, and the increasingly challenging socio-technical needs make Process Engineering more attractive. ECQV researchers target to analyze and evaluate the general performance of the processes and their possible operational routes and politics, and participate in the megatrends, problems and challenges announced in the chemical and related industries. Also, Process and Systems Engineering tools are essential for the experimental exercise, design, synthesis, analysis and optimization of chemical processes in the search for sustainable prospects.
The systematic uses of process simulation and optimization in the catalytic and adsorptive processes is valuable and advantageous both for the process model and for the experiments and allows to be more efficient in the design and synthesis of the process. The industry uses catalytic processes in several production sectors such as fuels, petrochemicals, biofuels, polymers, acids, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and food, which makes catalysts essential in these applications. Also, adsorbents are widely used in product separation/purification processes, requiring intensive development and optimization on new adsorption technologies.

Performance:
Biorefinery

From the technological point of view, the diversity and multifunctionality of biorefinery provide a fascinating way to establish multicomponent reactions aiming to develop chemical bioplatforms for the production of green chemicals, precursors of biopolymers, high performance renewable biofuels, and biogas from agricultural and agro-industrial residues (straw, bagasse, sawdust, etc.). Within the framework of policies for promotion of science, technology and innovation in bioeconomy and biorefinery, the management along with the economic and productive use of bioresources and agro-industrial waste to generate new value-added products, processes and services are impacted. However, the biggest challenges faced for the transition from petroleum-based raw materials to biomass are (i) the effective deoxygenation of biomolecules, (ii) the expansion of knowledge about the use and valorization of agricultural residual biomass in an integrated way, and the valorization of by-products in the field of bioeconomy and (iii) the large-scale adoption of technologies for selective fractionation of the main constituents subject to the barriers of variability in chemical and physical properties of biomass.

Performance:
Green Chemistry

“Green” and “efficiency” are the two main issues for a sustainable development interconnected with science and industry, involving several areas of knowledge such as basic and elementary science (chemistry and biology) and process engineering (chemical engineering and computer science, among others). ECQV researchers take this aspect as a reason to seek new synthesis routes, green solvents, catalysts, materials and processable strategies to replace conventional ones, reducing the use or generation of substances harmful to human health and the environment.

Items of Interest to R&D

Performance: Process Engineering

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Catalytic Processes / Chemical reaction engineering

Associated objectives:

The study of reaction rate provides a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the effects of variation of operating conditions (time, temperature, substrate load and concentration of reagents, catalyst, among others) on yielding and selectivity of aimed products and on conversion of raw materials. Thus, the development front aims to build kinetic databases, estimate kinetic parameters and define the reaction mechanism(s) regarding the production of compounds with industrial interest, biofuels and materials under different operating conditions. The development front also includes the definition of critical and operational intervals of production reactions, and the synthesis, analysis and reactor designing for the production of chemical products based on statistical analysis and computer simulation of respective kinetics, aiming the optimization of reaction process variables (maximization of product concentration, selectivity and yield).

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Adsorptive processes and materials

Associated objectives:

Currently, the demand for materials with catalytic and adsorptive properties demands a development of nanomaterials or new methodologies for catalyst/adsorbent synthesis. For this purpose, ECQV proposes to develop methods in order to optimize catalysts properties. Given the large demand for production of compounds in the field of fine chemistry, the Group develops heterogeneous catalysts that allow the use of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, mainly in the production of epoxides, via environmentally friendly processes. Research work indicates that approximately two thirds of the world’s rivers are contaminated by drugs (antibiotics, analgesics, hormones, etc.) and this ends up generating strong impacts on the environment and on people health due to the presence of multi-resistant bacteria. In order to mitigate the management of these residues, we carried out the development of mesoporous adsorbents (modified MCM-41 and SBA-15) searching to clarify the mechanisms of solid surface interaction of these adsorbents and the adsorbates during the processes of removal of emerging micropollutants (antibiotics, analgesics, hormones, etc.) and proposing ways to optimize the properties of these solids. Considering the criteria established by the Kyoto Protocol, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gases, we seek to develop molecular sieves for the purification of methane present in biogas, generated in sewage treatment plants and in sanitary landfills in large cities. We have also developed new methodologies for molecular sieve synthesis using ionic liquids and eutectic mixtures for the synthesis of solid nanoparticles, such as zeolites, aluminophosphates and hybrid materials.

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Computer-aided process engineering applied to the recovery of industrial, agro-industrial and bioresources waste resulting in generation of products, chemicals and materials

Associated objectives:

In the current scenario of process engineering, there is an intense trend for systematizing processes aiming at computational processes based on system modeling, simulation and optimization with the purpose of verifying performance parameters, system dynamics, permanent improvements, safer or more globalized and sustainable processes depending on operational variables. For this purpose, the ECQV researchers seeks to study and apply several Process and Systems Engineering (PSE) tools. To approach the process modeling, equations and/or mathematical structures (deterministic and/or stochastic) can be used to describe the behavior of the process. The process simulation can be performed by assisted platforms (or process simulators) or integrated development environments. This development front also addresses research related to the improvement and optimization of chemical and biochemical processes, using techniques such as energy integration and process intensification. Our scope: Future Perspectives, Engineering, and Sustainability.

Performance: Biorefinery

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Biomass biorefinery as an alternative for the production of fuels and chemicals

Associated objectives:

The analogy between biorefineries and petrochemical refineries is inevitable. In petrochemical refinery, oil is processed and the different fractions are separated into different products, such as fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.), building blocks or petrochemical commodities (ethylene, methanol, propylene, etc.). In a biorefinery, biomass plays the role of oil or crude oil, which is separated into different fractions such as reducing sugars, cellulose, proteins, lignin, and others. In this context, this development front aims at developing chemical bioplatforms for the production of “green chemicals”, precursors of biopolymers, high-performance renewable biofuels and biogas from agricultural and agro-industrial residues (straws, bagasse, sawdust, etc.). This front also works on models for the implementation of bottom-up biorefineries (in a virtual environment) allowing to expand the range of products and/or increase the possibilities on using biomass fractions, but also top- down biorefinery models, allowing to define new highly-integrated systems designed for the use of different biomass fractions.

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Conventional and unconventional separation and purification technologies

Associated objectives:

The production and development of high-value products and materials is strongly correlated with the development of so-called intensified technologies. Therefore, the development front aims at addressing technologies intended to experimental studies and theoretical (computational) analysis of phenomena resulting from separation and purification, as well as process development, simulation and scale-up. Contributions and approaches are related to operations, methods or procedures for conventional and unconventional separation (molecular distillation, reactive molecular distillation, reactive distillation, and others). Special interest is directed to solving problems related to the synthesis of separation systems, as found in emerging technologies such as: bioprocesses, biofuels, and green technology; and to the development of computational tools directed to energy efficiency and optimization of separation processes.

Performance: Green Chemistry

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Chemical synthesis

Associated objectives:

A field of particular interest to green chemistry is the synthesis of organic compounds and the development of catalysts and processes intended to reduce the use or generation of substances with negative impact on health and the environment. Expanding our understanding on synthetic chemical routes, we intend to develop systems using, for example, biosolvents (or green solvents such as ethanol, butanol or isopropanol) or one-pot reactions with maximum selectivity to the products of interest, in order to obtain benefits that include a sustainable product engineering.

Item of Interest to Process R&D: Sustainable process engineering

Associated objectives:

A lifecycle analysis of a chemical product is carried out, including the design, manufacture, use and final disposal of such compound.

Research and development projects

Title
Circular Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Automotive Industry - Biocias
Type
ICT Network - 01/2023
Funding agency
CHAMADA PÚBLICA MCTI/FINEP/PROGRAMA FINEP 2030 – Rede de ICT - 01/2023 CONVÊNIO PARA TRANSFERÊNCIA DE RECURSOS DO PROGRAMA ROTA 2030
Grant number
2060/23
Effective date (Start to end)
08/2024 to 08/2027
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Collaborating/Participating Researcher
Raúl Bonne Hernandez, Prof.; Yurimiler Leyet Ruiz, Prof.; Karen de Souza do Prado, PhD.; Jocinei Dognini, PhD.; Barbara Yadira M Perez, PhD.; Creciana Maria Endres, PhD.; Danieli Aparecida Pereira Reis, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Collaborating/Participating Researcher
Circular Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Automotive Industry - Biocias
ICT Network - 01/2023
CHAMADA PÚBLICA MCTI/FINEP/PROGRAMA FINEP 2030 – Rede de ICT - 01/2023 CONVÊNIO PARA TRANSFERÊNCIA DE RECURSOS DO PROGRAMA ROTA 2030
2060/23
08/2024 to 08/2027
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Raúl Bonne Hernandez, Prof.; Yurimiler Leyet Ruiz, Prof.; Karen de Souza do Prado, PhD.; Jocinei Dognini, PhD.; Barbara Yadira M Perez, PhD.; Creciana Maria Endres, PhD.; Danieli Aparecida Pereira Reis, Prof.
Title
Innovative Bio-Based or Recycled Chemicals for a Green Automotive Industry
Type
ICT Network - 01/2023
Funding agency
CHAMADA PÚBLICA MCTI/FINEP/PROGRAMA FINEP 2030 – Rede de ICT - 01/2023 CONVÊNIO PARA TRANSFERÊNCIA DE RECURSOS DO PROGRAMA ROTA 2030
Grant number
2060/23
Effective date (Start to end)
08/2024 to 08/2027
Principal researcher
Raúl Bonne Hernandez, Prof.
Collaborating/Participating Researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.; Yurimiler Leyet Ruiz, Prof.; Karen de Souza do Prado, PhD.; Jocinei Dognini, PhD.; Barbara Yadira M Perez, PhD.; Creciana Maria Endres, PhD.; Danieli Aparecida Pereira Reis, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Collaborating/Participating Researcher
Innovative Bio-Based or Recycled Chemicals for a Green Automotive Industry
ICT Network - 01/2023
CHAMADA PÚBLICA MCTI/FINEP/PROGRAMA FINEP 2030 – Rede de ICT - 01/2023 CONVÊNIO PARA TRANSFERÊNCIA DE RECURSOS DO PROGRAMA ROTA 2030
2060/23
08/2024 to 08/2027
Raúl Bonne Hernandez, Prof.
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.; Yurimiler Leyet Ruiz, Prof.; Karen de Souza do Prado, PhD.; Jocinei Dognini, PhD.; Barbara Yadira M Perez, PhD.; Creciana Maria Endres, PhD.; Danieli Aparecida Pereira Reis, Prof.
Title
GRELE+:GREEN-SOLVENT PROCESSABLE STRATEGIES FOR ATTAINING LEVULINIC ACID FUNCTIONALIZED AND HIGH-VALUE CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES
Type
Grants support research
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
402900/2023- 5
Effective date (Start to end)
18/12/2023 to 31/12/2026
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Collaborating/Participating Researcher
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Collaborating/Participating Researcher
GRELE+:GREEN-SOLVENT PROCESSABLE STRATEGIES FOR ATTAINING LEVULINIC ACID FUNCTIONALIZED AND HIGH-VALUE CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES
Grants support research
CNPq
402900/2023- 5
18/12/2023 to 31/12/2026
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Thermochemical valorization of insoluble humines derived from the C5 and C6 sugar conversion platform
Type
Scholarships in Brazil
Funding agency
FAPESP
Grant number
2020/11347-5
Effective date (Start to end)
01/12/2020 to 30/11/2021
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Thermochemical valorization of insoluble humines derived from the C5 and C6 sugar conversion platform
Scholarships in Brazil
FAPESP
2020/11347-5
01/12/2020 to 30/11/2021
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Integrated production of levulinic acid and synthesis gas from agro-industrial residues: a challenge for current bioeconomy by valorizing the humin-based byproducts
Type
Regular Grants support research
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
408149/2018-3
Effective date (Start to end)
13/12/2018 to 28/02/2023
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Integrated production of levulinic acid and synthesis gas from agro-industrial residues: a challenge for current bioeconomy by valorizing the humin-based byproducts
Regular Grants support research
CNPq
408149/2018-3
13/12/2018 to 28/02/2023
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Development of mesoporous adsorbents for antibiotic removal by column adsorption
Type
Regular Grants support research
Funding agency
FAPESP
Grant number
2019/22127-9
Effective date (Start to end)
01/02/2020 to 31/01/2023
Principal researcher
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Development of mesoporous adsorbents for antibiotic removal by column adsorption
Regular Grants support research
FAPESP
2019/22127-9
01/02/2020 to 31/01/2023
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Integrated development of zero CO2 emission sugarcane biorefinery and bioethanol plant: routes to convert renewable resources into bioproducts and bioelectricity
Type
Thematic Grants - research
Funding agency
FAPESP
Grant number
2015/20630-4
Effective date (Start to end)
01/04/2017 to 31/03/2023
Principal researcher
Rubens Maciel Filho, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Integrated development of zero CO2 emission sugarcane biorefinery and bioethanol plant: routes to convert renewable resources into bioproducts and bioelectricity
Thematic Grants - research
FAPESP
2015/20630-4
01/04/2017 to 31/03/2023
Rubens Maciel Filho, Prof.
Title
Tetracycline adsorption on MCM-41 silica – Langmuir, Freundlich and DUBININ–RADUSHKEVICH models
Type
PIBIC
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
166824/2022-4
Effective date (Start to end)
01/12/2022 to 30/08/2023
Principal researcher
Sarah I. P.M. do Nascimento Alves, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Tetracycline adsorption on MCM-41 silica – Langmuir, Freundlich and DUBININ–RADUSHKEVICH models
PIBIC
CNPq
166824/2022-4
01/12/2022 to 30/08/2023
Sarah I. P.M. do Nascimento Alves, Prof.
Title
PERFORMANCE STUDY OF HORMONES ADSORPTION APPLYING MESOPOROUS SILICA
Type
PIBIC
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
166987/2022-0
Effective date (Start to end)
01/12/2022 to 30/08/2023
Principal researcher
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
PERFORMANCE STUDY OF HORMONES ADSORPTION APPLYING MESOPOROUS SILICA
PIBIC
CNPq
166987/2022-0
01/12/2022 to 30/08/2023
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
REMOVAL OF ANTIBIOTICS APPLYING La-MCM-41 AS ADSORBENTS IN A FIXED BED COLUMN
Type
PIBITI
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
166823/2022-8
Effective date (Start to end)
01/12/2022 to 30/08/2023
Principal researcher
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
REMOVAL OF ANTIBIOTICS APPLYING La-MCM-41 AS ADSORBENTS IN A FIXED BED COLUMN
PIBITI
CNPq
166823/2022-8
01/12/2022 to 30/08/2023
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Optimization of the Wittig reagent production for the functionalization of levulinic acid in a renewable route: Application of the GA-SQP hybrid technique
Type
PIBITI/CNPq
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
162646/2022-4
Effective date (Start to end)
01/10/2022 to 30/09/2023
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Optimization of the Wittig reagent production for the functionalization of levulinic acid in a renewable route: Application of the GA-SQP hybrid technique
PIBITI/CNPq
CNPq
162646/2022-4
01/10/2022 to 30/09/2023
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Efficient purification and mechanism of pyrolysis of insoluble humins obtained during the production of levulinic acid from sugarcane bagasse
Type
Scholarships in Brazil PIBITI/CNPq
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
162373/2020-1
Effective date (Start to end)
01/11/2020 to 31/08/2021
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Efficient purification and mechanism of pyrolysis of insoluble humins obtained during the production of levulinic acid from sugarcane bagasse
Scholarships in Brazil PIBITI/CNPq
CNPq
162373/2020-1
01/11/2020 to 31/08/2021
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Cane molasses circularity in the value chain towards the high-yield production of levulinic acid
Type
Scholarships in Brazil – IC / CNPq
Funding agency
CNPq
Grant number
160034/2020-5
Effective date (Start to end)
01/10/2020 to 30/09/2021
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Type
Funding agency
Grant number
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Cane molasses circularity in the value chain towards the high-yield production of levulinic acid
Scholarships in Brazil – IC / CNPq
CNPq
160034/2020-5
01/10/2020 to 30/09/2021
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.

Society and Extension

Title
Pinch Analysis: Energy targets of an industrial process
Effective date (Start to end)
02/08/2024-20/09/2024
Principal researcher
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Institutional Course UNIFESP/Diadema - CIUNI
Effective date (Start to end)
2015 - 2020
Principal researcher
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Program of continuing education for Elementary Education professionals begins - specialization course in Environmental Education with emphasis on sustainable learning spaces
Effective date (Start to end)
2014 - 2017
Principal researcher
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Pinch Analysis: Energy targets of an industrial process
02/08/2024-20/09/2024
Laura Plazas Tovar, Prof.
Title
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Institutional Course UNIFESP/Diadema - CIUNI
2015 - 2020
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.
Title
Effective date (Start to end)
Principal researcher
Program of continuing education for Elementary Education professionals begins - specialization course in Environmental Education with emphasis on sustainable learning spaces
2014 - 2017
Romilda Fernández Felisbino, Prof.