7. CHEMICAL
REACTIONS
This topic seeks R&D to address energy intensive
chemical reactions and separation processes that will contribute to the success
of the bio-refinery as a viable commercial alternative to the production of
fuels and chemicals. For chemical
processing, this topic emphasizes needs in catalysis, process intensification,
and alternative reaction media. The
goal of the separation process subtopic is the reduction of energy requirements
of distillation either by further advance in distillation technology or through
new separation processes that could be applied in a bio-refinery.
As envisioned in the
a. New Chemical Catalysts and Biocatalysts—All energy intensive chemical processes are included in this subtopic, for oxidations, reductions, substitutions, isomerizations. Grant applications are sought for the development of new chemical catalysts that derive their properties from special characteristics of nano-scale materials, or nano-scale functionality imparted to a material. Grant applications are sought for the development of both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts - with emphasis on the development of new catalysts for energy savings in the chemical and allied process industries. The development of new catalysts for the use of new feedstock materials for the production of commodity chemicals would also be responsive to this subtopic. Since there is a wealth of R&D on new catalytic materials, especially involving nano-scale materials with new catalytic properties, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the pertinent patent and scientific literature prior to submitting an application under this subtopic.
Questions -
contact Charles Russomanno (charles.russomanno@hq.doe.gov)
b. Process Intensificiation—Grant applications are sought to develop process intensification methodology for common chemical processes and bioprocesses. The new methodology should lead to lower process energy requirements or savings in feedstocks over processes that do not employ the methodology. For example, microchannel reactor technology can reduce the dilution volume needed for many chemical processes, thus reducing the energy requirements of separations. Microchannel reactor technology can also be used in the application of chemical catalysis with enhanced selectivity. For bioprocesses, process intensification methodology may reduce the water requirements of bioprocesses that do not use the methodology – reducing the energy requirements of bio-processing. In this subtopic, as in the first subtopic, scientific and patent literature must be carefully reviewed before submitting a grant application.
Questions -
contact Charles Russomanno (charles.russomanno@hq.doe.gov)
c. Alternative Reaction Media—Grant applications are sought for the development of reaction media for both chemical processes and bio-processes that will reduce the energy requirements of processing. For example, ionic liquids may reduce energy requirements of chemical processing by eliminating distillation steps – needed separations are accomplished by complexification or other means. For bio-processing, reaction media other than water may reduce energy requirements of water-based processes. The emphasis is on energy savings in the chemical industry and the bio-refinery industry in the manufacture of commodity chemicals.
Questions -
contact Charles Russomanno (charles.russomanno@hq.doe.gov)
d. Separation Process to Reduce or Eliminate Distillations—Grant applications are sought for innovative R&D of new separation processes for commodity chemical manufacture from typical feedstocks or bio-based feedstocks. This may include the development of new membrane process technology, and alternative methods such as complexifications, and absorption. Responsive applications should demonstrate how the proposed separation technology will save energy that would be used for a needed distillation step. Many new separation technologies may find application in the manufacture of more than one commodity chemical product. Careful review of the pertinent scientific and patent literature is imperative to avoid the duplication of current or previous technology R&D.
Questions -
contact Charles Russomanno (charles.russomanno@hq.doe.gov)
References:
1.
Biomass
2.
Office of the Biomass Program – Technical Plan
3.
Biomass Information Resources,
4.
“Vision2020 Focus Area:
Ionic Liquids,” Vision2020 Chemical Industry Technical Partnership
Webpage. (URL:
http://www.chemicalvision2020.org/ionic_liquids.html)
5.
“Vision2020 Focus Area:
Advanced Separations,” Vision2020 Chemical Industry Technical
Partnership Webpage. (URL:
http://www.chemicalvision2020.org/separations.html)
6.
“Vision2020 Thrust: Biomass to Energy from Forestry and/or Farming, Vision2020
Chemical Industry Technical Partnership Webpage.
(URL: http://www.chemicalvision2020.org/biomass.html)
7.
“Area of Interest 2 –
Process Intensification,” National Energy Technology Laboratory Funding
8. “Vision2020: Reaction Engineering Roadmap,” American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2001. (Full text available at: http://www.chemicalvision2020.org/pdfs/reaction_roadmap.pdf)
Return to the Complete List of Topics
|
| Program Information, Instructions and Requirements | Technical Topic Descriptions | Download Program Information | Download Technical Topics |