RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

38 b. Photochemical processes: homogeneous photocatalysis in flow; a combination with intensified flow in spinning disc reactors leads to uniquely high productivity. c. Plasma and plasma catalytic reactions and processes: CO 2 , N 2 , CH 4 activation. The first steps have been taken here, showing promising results, especially for local ammonia production for the benefit of fertilization. d. Microwave heating: most results for this technology were obtained before the evaluation period by Prof. Rebrov when he was still at TU/e. e. Ultrasound: this has been used in various processes to assist in the suspension of solids, e.g., in crystallization processes and solid-catalyzed photochemistry. 5. Circular and renewable processes a. Biomass conversions i. Hemi-cellulose and cellulose: (acid) catalyzed conversion mechanisms and kinetics and the selectivity of the reactions in combination with extraction or evaporation have been determined, enabling an economic analysis of this process. This chemistry is important for the production of building blocks for renewable polymer chemistry, e.g., FDCA or LA, and for base chemicals, e.g., FA. The positioning of SPE in this research field is demonstrated through several highly-cited publications and further recognized by the funding of new projects where the expertise will be extended to new conversions/processes. ii. Lignin: the decomposition of lignin in virgin wood was investigated. Reaction mechanisms are being investigated, the yield of monolignols is being maximized and the monolignols give access to renewable benzene-derivate compounds. Novel process configurations and reaction conditions are being investigated with potential for upscaling. iii. Triglycerides, fatty acids and derivates: the conversion of fatty acids to amines and amine derivates for e.g., biocides, fungicides and surfactants was investigated. b. CO 2 capture and conversion 6. Flow chemistry a. Process analysis, optimization & automation tools: inline analysis tools and methods were developed for the fast determination of reaction mechanisms and kinetic data. b. Inline in-flow analysis: inline NMR, IR and UV-vis were studied and combined with 6a. Valorization and societal impact The societal relevance of the work in the Sustainable Process Engineering group is almost by definition related to the societal themes of renewable energy, clean environment and the circular economy. The research impacts society through: 1. Close collaboration with industry, with virtually 80% of research projects addressing challenges to make processes more efficient, more economic and more circular. 2. Strategic partnerships with industry – examples include the Impuls collaboration between TU/e and Nouryon but also the durable collaboration with Tecnalia and Engie in European proposals. 3. Educating professionals for the industry – there is a strong demand for MSc, PDEng, PhD graduates and postdoctoral fellows from the SPE group, with many of them obtaining jobs in the chemical industry (e.g., Nouryon, Jansen Pharmaceutica, Pfizer, Aspen Oss, BASF, Bayer, DSM, Shell, BP, Exxon, Total, Dow, SABIC, ASML, Johnson-Matthey, Corbion, GF Biochemicals), further spreading the impact on society as a whole and keeping the industry up to date with the newest technologies. 4. Educating academic researchers – a total of three alumni started an academic career at an assistant professor level.