CO2 capture in relevant industrial streams (CCARE)
The research group has extensive experience in systems for CO2 capture since 2006, as evidenced by the participation in several contracts with the companies Endesa Generación, S.A. and Instalaciones Inabensa, SA, the publication of up to 20 scientific articles directly related to the topic, the granting of a patent, and the award of several prizes to the doctoral theses resulting from the research (granted by the Institution of Chemical Engineers, IChemE, the European Federation of Chemical Engineering, EFCE, and the Spanish CO2 Platform, PTECO2).
Production of bio-renewable jet-fuel via aldol-condensation and HDO processes of lignocellulosic platform molecules
In this context, the main goal of the proposed research line is the optimization of the production of precursor molecules in the jet-fuel range (C8-13), especially aimed to reduce the carbon footprint of air transport. The research would be focused on the aldol condensation of biomass-derived furfural with different ketones, especially those also of renewable origin, seeking to optimize the catalytic system (nature and concentration of active sites, selection of the support, optimization of reaction conditions, etc.). Furthermore, HDO reaction is contemplated as way of reducing the oxygen content of the final biofuel.
Materials development for CO2 capture from air
Global awareness regarding established climate change and specifically with the high amount of CO2 emissions released to the atmosphere, has promoted increasing efforts to reduce the environmental impact and consequences. Direct capture of CO2 from the atmosphere (DAC- direct air capture) can be an important contribution to mitigate the climate change since this technology could address CO2 emissions from dispersed sources, which are responsible of half of annual emissions of CO2. This research line is focused on the study of CO2 capture from air with the main objective of developing adsorbent materials with high capacity and selectivity, and with potential textural and mechanical properties to develop effective DAC technology.
Co-valorisation of biomass and CO2 to bio-based products
Bioeconomy, clean and efficient energy, and climate action are some of the H2020 program priorities driven by the European Commission to match the political union goals. Within this context, several work packages defined for the period 2018-2020 have focused on important aspects of these societal challenges, such as enabling near-zero CO2 emissions from carbon intensive industries (included fossil-fuel power plants), or the development of new alternatives for the production of bio-based products, within the context of circular economy.
Efficient and sustainable management of safety in transport
Analysis of the behavioral patterns of customers in transportation networks where there exist different alternatives for the recharging of electric/hybrid vehicles, and where the arrival rate of customers is variable.
New Materials for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants components should work in extreme conditions, from the functional and structural points of view. The central receiver is an example where it is necessary to modify the surface of the metallic component with solar selective absorber coatings. From the functional point of view, both high solar absorptance (a) and low thermal emittance (b) are required in these coatings to convert sunlight to thermal electric power.
Multifunctional materials Self-healing/self-sensing capabilities for wind blade turbines
The use of wind as a source of energy has increased extremely quick in the last decades, thus a 30% of growth worldwide has been reported. Since 2016, wind generators are the second source of power generation when it overtook coal industry which is well developed in European countries. Moreover, wind power installed in 2017 was greater than any other source of energy and the tendency is that the installation of this type of energy will grow during the next decade.
Advanced biofuels production from residual lignocellulosic biomass combining biological and chemo-catalytic transformations
In particular, the objective of the present proposal is a collaborative research between the University of Alcalá and the Rey Juan Carlos University for the production of advanced biofuels from residual lignocellulosic biomass, combining both biological treatments and chemo-catalytic transformation stages.
Development of joining technologies for their aplication in fusion reactors
The present research line is part of a project of the European consortium EUROfusion, funded by Euratom within the Horizon 2020 program. EUROfusion supports fusion research activities in accordance with the Roadmap to the realization of fusion energy.
Advanced organic-inorganic hybrid materials for CO2 capture and conversion
Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid crystalline materials, exhibiting high specific surface areas, controllable pore sizes and surface chemistry. These properties have made MOFs attractive for a wide range of applications including gas separation, gas storage and catalysis. They are one of the most promising candidates for CO2 capture due to their adsorption selectivity towards CO2.