The web kick-off meeting held on 30th April 2020, launched the activities of BioSFerA project (BIOfuels production from Syngas FERmentation for Aviation and maritime use), funded by European Unions’ Horizon 2020 research programme.
BioSFerA aims to develop cost-effective interdisciplinary technology to produce sustainable aviation and maritime fuels. Biogenic residues will be gasified, and the syngas will be fermented to produce bio-based triacylglycerides (TAGs). At the end of the project at least two barrels of Hydrotreated TAGs will be produced as next generation aviation and marine biofuels.
By exploiting the synergies between biological and thermochemical technologies, BioSFerA will achieve a total carbon utilization above 35% and a minimum selling price <0.7-0.8 €/l. BioSFerA aims to evolve the proposed technology from TRL3 to TRL5. In the TRL3 phase, extensive lab-scale tests will take place in order to optimize the process and increase its feedstock flexibility in terms of non-food biobased blends. Then, building upon lab tests, the pilot-scale runs (TRL5) will investigate the overall process.
In the framework of BioSFerA project the hydrocarbons compatibility with aviation and marine standards for drop-in fuels will also be verified. Techno-economic, market, environmental, social and health and safety risk assessments will be performed on the overall BioSFerA process and, together with a process model, allow to achieve a realistic scaling-up scenario. This will allow to develop a cost-effective and versatile value chain with favourable condition for profitable investments around Europe.
Biosfera international consortium is composed by some research and public institutes: CERTH (Greece), VTT (Finland), Fundacion Cartif (Spain), Bio base europe pilot plant VZW
(Belgium), CSIC (Spain), National technical university of Athens (Greece); and some private companies: Kuwait Petroleum Research and Technology B.V (Netherlands), Rina consulting spa (Italy), Sumitomo shi fw energia oy (Finland), GOOD FUELS (Netherlands), Environment Park spa (Italy).
Our role
In Biosfera project Environment Park is in charge of the extraction and purification of the TAGs lipids from the oleaginous yeasts.
Based on Environment Park experience in the field of renewable sources valorisation and biofuel production, this action is focused on steam explosion lipids recovery potentials and pathways, by applying the technologies currently available and considering different possible process parameters and process steps.
The extraction and purification are carried out by performing tests at pilot scale aimed at generating generate purified lipids which will be in turn used by other partners by hydro-treatments for the final conversion into biofuels.
The TAGs recovery at pilot scale is achieved by the use of innovative technologies like steam explosion followed by mechanical extraction and centrifugation/membrane separation.
In addition, Envipark is in charge of the communication and dissemination activity for the whole partnership.
Project coordinator
Konstantinos Atsonios: atsonios@certh.gr
Centre for Research & Technology Hellas /Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CERTH/CP)
Environment Park contact: Paola Zitella, paola.zitella@envipark.com
FURTHER READINGS
BioSFerA H2020, first project achievements
BioSFerA H2020, first year project results
Biofuels: latest news from the research project BioSFerA
BIOSFERA H2020, project’s update and meeting in Madrid
UPDATES FROM BIOSFERA H2020: BIOLOGICAL PROCESS STATUS AND FORWARD PROJECT’S STEPS