Research Projects
In Collaboration with the
Laboratory of
Process Systems Design and Implementation (LPSDI) of the
Chemical
Process Engineering Research Institute (CPERI)/Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
(CERTH)
European
Commission funded Research Projects
CAPSOL
- Design Technologies for Multi-scale Innovation and Integration
in Post-Combustion CO2 Capture: From Molecules to Unit Operations and
Integrated Plants (2011-2014)
A new technology towards
breakthrough innovation in solvent based post-combustion CO2 capture for
enhanced energy efficiency, improved cost effectiveness and increased process
sustainability and environmental benefits is developed. Advances in the identification
of highly performing solvents and solvent blends in CO2 absorption, the design
of innovative separation equipment internals, and the development of optimal
process configurations enable a cost of approximately 16 euros
per ton of CO2 captured. Such achievement can have a tremendous impact in
several industrial applications such as gas-fired, coal-fired, and
lignite-fired power plants as well as quick-lime production plants where
solvent based post-combustion CO2 absorption can become a viable solution.
The current project adopts a
holistic approach towards the fulfillment of the outlined goals accomplished
through research and development at multiple levels within an integrated
framework. At the molecular level, the use of computer aided molecular design
tools supported by accurate and adequately validated thermodynamic models
enables the exhaustive investigation of the performance of multiple solvents and
solvent blends in post-combustion CO2 absorption processes. The solvent blends
are systematically assessed and rank-ordered against their performance towards
the satisfaction of relevant process, economic, operability and sustainability
criteria. The optimal solvents and solvent blends are expected to exhibit
significantly better characteristics than currently used solvents in terms of
energy requirements and overall environmental impact.
At the unit operations level, the
design of innovative process configurations and column internals that are specifically
tailored for the employed solvents enhance the efficiency of the absorption
based separation. Advanced modeling and optimization tools in conjunction with
thorough experimental procedures ensure the achievement of high mass transfer
rates and optimal flow patterns.
At the plant level, the comprehensive
analysis of the interactions among an existing power plant and the added solvent
based post-combustion CO2 capture unit enables the optimal allocation of
resources for improved energy savings and the efficient integration of the new
CO2 capture process components. Pilot plant testing of the newly developed
technology under operating condition encountered in practical applications
ensures process stability and consistency.
Several industrial applications in
power production and chemicals manufacture are scheduled for comprehensive study,
analysis, and evaluation thus resolving all related technical and engineering
issues.
Representative publications: Design
framework
BIOFUELS 2G Second Generation Biofuels
for Urban Environment (2010-12)
The core aim of the project is to study, develop and
implement at pilot level advanced 2nd generation biofuels
production schemes driven by local/regional public private partnerships between
a Municipality, a research organization and a university, with a major
mobilization of local enterprises which will provide the raw material for the
fuel production. The
project shapes an integrated approach towards the implementation of a
production scheme for 2nd generation biofuels,
with increased sustainability (use of renewable energy sources), covering the
whole production chain, from the logistics of recovery to the production of the
end product. This approach will be tailored to the characteristics of the
region of
ECOPHOS Waste
Utilization in Phosphoric Acid Industry (2005-08)
The project ECOPHOS
involves the development of a new research and innovation strategy for the waste
minimization and utilization in the phosphoric acid industry. reduction of cost, waste and energy. The new technological
advancements will be accommodated in an information system for easy access and
utilization. The newly developed production systems will be classified with
respect to both the waste properties and the environmental and sustainability
potentials. An expert system will assist the user to select the appropriate
production scheme according to the needs and particular specifications. The new
methodology will by validated and in future exploited by two major industrial
end users - one from the EU and one from the
The project focuses on
new technologies for
·
the production of useful phosphorous salts (fodder,
food and pharmaceutical phosphates), phosphorous acid and phosphates in a cost
efficient and ecologically sustainable way
·
the improvement of existing methods in the
phosphoric acid production for the drastic minimization of waste
·
the utilization and processing of industrial solid
waste from the production of phosphoric acid
·
the
production of a new generation of phosphoric fertilizers.
Mathematical models and
computer-aided process engineering tools guarantee the efficient and
sustainable operation of the production systems with key objectives the
reduction of cost, waste and energy. The new technological advancements will be
accommodated in an information system for easy access and utilization. The
newly developed production systems will be classified with respect to both the
waste properties and the environmental and sustainability potentials. An expert
system will assist the user to select the appropriate production scheme
according to the needs and particular specifications. The new methodology will
by validated and in future exploited by two major industrial end users - one
from the EU and one from the
A detailed summary of
the achieved results can be downloaded here.
Representative
publications: Modeling
framework Sustainable
design
OPT-ABSO Modeling and Optimization
of Industrial Absorption Units (2002-04)
OPT-ABSO represents a
key enabling technology for chemical manufacturers to maximize profit and gain
a competitive advantage. The major innovation of the present project is the
development of a fully integrated set of modeling, simulation and optimization
methodologies, and computer-aided tools for the design, synthesis, control and
efficient operation of sustainable absorption processes in order to reduce
cost, waste and energy while developing realistic operating strategies which
can be implemented in practice.
The first
significant contribution is the development of rigorous steady state and
dynamic detailed rate-based models for reactive absorption processes. The
models incorporate mass and heat transfer mechanisms with complex reaction
schemes involved in a wide range of industrial reactive absorption units
including electrolytes and reacting systems in both the liquid and gas phases.
The addition of the dynamic dimension in the process model enables the prediction
of the units behaviour in real process environment and the performance of the
associated control systems. Both static and dynamic models have been validated
with experimental and industrial data with excellent results. The use of
reduced-order and short-cut models is essential for the synthesis of separation
flowsheets with absorption units. A number of
different techniques have been employed to develop reduced-order models of
variable resolution and controlled accuracy for absorption and desorption flowsheets.
A generalised
synthesis framework for reactive absorption units is available. The Generalized
Modular Framework (GMF) is a flexible methodology for process synthesis based upon superstructure optimization techniques.
The GMF method produces a compact mathematical
formulation for the synthesis problem, which can be subdivided into components consisted of a Structural Model,
and a Physical Model. It is through the Structural Model that the process structural alternatives are generated.
The function of the Physical Model is
the evaluation of feasibility and optimality of each structural alternative generated based upon a valid representation of the
underlying physical phenomena. The synthesis methodology allows the optimal
design of process flowsheets while achieving the
tight separation targets under model and process related uncertainties.
Computer aided molecular
design allows for the intelligent selection of the most suitable solvent for
specific separation objectives. The solvent is formed through the combination
of chemical groups so that the desired properties of the solvent molecule are
achieved. In addition, greater flexibility has been added through the inclusion
of mixing rules that enable the selection of mixtures of suitable solvents that
are suitable for the desirable separation.
Controllability analysis
examines the impact of process design on the performance of the control system
an issue of paramount importance considering the stringent constraints that
absorption units have to satisfy (e.g., as pollution prevention units in NOx removal or waste incineration processes). A
number of instruments are available for the process characterization and
controllability analysis of reactive absorption units ranging from interaction analysis
to disturbance rejection properties. Reduced-order linear approximations and
full-order nonlinear models in combination with advanced optimization and
linear algebra techniques are utilized in the evaluation, rank ordering and
screening of alternative design configurations for the absorption columns.
Heat integration retrofit
design of industrial absorption units utilizing pinch analysis and operation
optimization reveals an area of great potential for significant energy saving
opportunities. The retrofit design was considered by the industry for direct
implementation of design modifications that would reduce significantly the
energy requirements of the existing plant. The complete suite of models for
reactive absorption processes with the set of methodologies for the synthesis,
design, control and effective operation for the industrial and experimental
cases studied in the project have been incorporated in a software prototype.
Publications: Modeling
and optimization Design
and Control Design
optimization Overall
achievements
General
Secretariat of Research and Technology funded Research Projects
SUPERMICRO Optimal Power Management in
Autonomous Hybrid Systems (2011-13)
POWERMOTION Design and
Development of a Hybrid Power System for Vehicle Motion (2011-13)
HYRES Hydrogen Production as a Mean for
Electric Energy Storage from Renewable Energy Sources (2007-08)
Publications: Power
management strategy I Power
management strategy II Design
optimization
MAXPOW Design and Implementation
of an Integrated Control System for Maximum Power in Fuel Cells (2007)