Research and Development

E-Renova Presentation

EMBRAPII Renewable Energies Unit
FEQ - UNICAMP

Achieving technological solutions to overcome the industrial challenges faced by companies in the field of Renewable Energies is the cornerstone of E-Renova. We work to ensure that Brazil continues to play a leading role in the use of Renewable Energies. As a leader in renewable energy research in Brazil, the E-Renova team has the expertise to develop research projects in the following research areas.

Research Areas

Production of hydrogen from renewable sources with low or even zero carbon footprint.

Study of thermochemical routes. Examples: biomass conversion into synthesis gas (gasification), bio-oil, and bio-charcoal (pyrolysis).

Production of long-distance biofuels. Examples: renewable diesel, biodiesel, bio-kerosene (jet fuel), fuel oils, and marine oils.

High-octane biofuel production. Examples: ethanol and biobutanol.

Enhancement of first, second, and third-generation bioethanol production processes.

Co-processing studies of renewables in petroleum refineries.

Technical-economic and environmental impact analysis of renewable fuel and energy production routes.

Produção de hidrogênio a partir de fontes renováveis

Rotas termoquímicas para a produção de energia renovável

Otimização de sistemas de fermentação

Reações catalisadas química e bioquimicamente

Desenvolvimento de software

Modelagem e simulação de processos

Desenvolvimento e implementação de novos processos de separação intensificados

Cross-cutting research areas

Project development for fermentation system optimization.

Development of chemically and biochemically catalyzed reactions.

Development and implementation of new intensified separation processes.

Software development: Examples include prediction software for biofuel properties and risk analysis support software.

Process modeling and simulation. Examples: Computational fluid dynamics studies, virtual plant development.

Development of catalysts for syngas conversions.

Here is the list of available equipment for use in E-RENOVA's project development:

1. Gasification and pyrolysis pilot plant
2. Fermentation pilot plant (6,000 liters)
3. Laboratory fermenters
4. Hydrolysis reactors
5. Shakers
6. Pilot Molecular Distillation Unit
7. Lyophilizer
8. Microreactor for hydrogen production from ethanol
9. Supercritical reactor
10. Pilot electrostatic oil treatment unit
11. Batch Distillation Unit (pilot scale)
12. Intensified Biodiesel Reactor
13. Pilot unit for multiple-effect evaporation water treatment
14. Autoclave for biomass pretreatment systems
15. Software: Biorefinery simulation and reactors for acid hydrolysis
16. Air Lift reactor for microalgae
17. Graphene production reactor
18. Centrifugal Molecular Distillation Unit
19. Atomic absorption spectrometer
20. Degassing preparation station
21. Automatic helium gas pycnometer
22. Mercury intrusion porosimeter (PcHg)
23. Surface area and particle analyzer
24. Calorimeter
25. Gas chromatograph SHIMADZU, model GC2010 AFT
26. Ion chromatograph – Mehtron
27. Zeta Potential Anton Paar
28. Incubators with temperature controllers
29. Autoclave for sterilization
30. Automated fixed-bed liquid percolation module
31. Optical microscope (Leica) with platinum heating (Linkam)
32. Flash point analyzer (Grabner) – MiniFlash FPLH
33. Micro-Ebulliometer
34. CFD software
35. High-performance workstation for pre and post-processing
36. Computational cluster (800 cores)
37. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) – ThermoFisher
38. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) – K-alpha