PPP Surcharge projects

Plasma assisted capture and conversion of CO2 to useful chemical products (PLACHEM)
Eindhoven University / CASALE SA
The PLACHEM project aims at developing and demonstrating a novel, direct, integrated air capture and conversion process for the conversion of atmospheric CO2 into high value chemicals in one step without sorbent regeneration. The proposed activities in this project include i) development of high capacity sorbent and 3D structure material tailored for plasma environment; ii) investigation of plasma-induced one step desorption and conversion of CO2 by testing the plasma-sorbent system; iii) modelling and system design for the developed process to be tested in the intended environment as well as strategic plans for further scale-up or implementation; iv) evaluation of the process and further exploitation for business case development and commercialization. The project will be carried out by 2 PhD students working at Eindhoven University of Technology, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry department, with support by CASALE.

Iron fuel: a clean and circular energy carrier (MEC II)
Eindhoven University / Shell Global Solutions Int. BV
The goal of the MEC-II project is to use metal powder as a dense energy carrier for a demonstrably circular and renewable zero-carbon energy storage and conversion system. The TU/e carries out the fundamental and industrial research necessary to boost the required technological developments for the utilization of metal powder, supported by the industrial partner Shell. The breakthrough of the metal energy carriers concept provides a circular, storable, zero-emission, highly efficient, and low-cost pathway to employ widely available metals like iron for heat and power generation. The key element of the MEC-II project is a more rapid progression to TRL level 5-6. To achieve this the reduction chain of the overall process needs to improve. As a result, the TU/e places itself in a good position for further participation in the growing demand for iron ore reduction using renewable methods (i.e. hydrogen). We are acquiring direct reduced iron (DRI) expertise and expect to leverage the acquired skills, experimental assets, and knowledge in further contacts with Tata Steel, Arcelor Mittal etc. This effort is not confined to solving the storage requirement for intermittency in renewables and retrofittable novel zero carbon fuels. It will also enable us as the TU/e to contribute and compete in other heat intensive industrial areas on the cusp of integrating renewables i.e. the steel industry.

No longer ‘too hot to handle’: microscopy of heat-loving microorganisms
Leiden University / Confocal.nl
In this project Leiden University and microscopy company Confocal.nl collaborate to visualize and study archaeal organisms at high temperatures at high spatial and temporal resolution. This permits fundamental studies of the cell biology of such organisms under physiological conditions, aiding in establishing them as model organisms and industrial production vehicles. Furthermore, the established approach extends to application of super-resolution rescan confocal microscopy to other biological and non-biological systems (e.g. in materials science) that require high temperatures.

Densification of polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes for high NaCl retentions
Twente University / NX Filtration B.V.
With the increasing world-wide water scarcity, it becomes increasingly important to obtain clean water from alternative sources, including brackish water. To do that in an efficient process, we propose to develop a new generation of hollow fiber based membranes based on ultrathin coatings of charged polymers. These advanced coatings can be build up in a layer-by-layer fashion, allowing a great deal of control over their material properties and therefore their eventual separation performance. By increasing the density of these coatings, we will improve the retention of ions, such as Na+ and Cl-, allowing their effective removal to produce clean desalinated water. To achieve this, researchers from the university of Twente will closely collaborate with membrane company NX Filtration.

Electrochemical valorization of biobased chemical building blocks
Utrecht University / TNO / Relement
Utrecht University, Relement and TNO will conduct fundamental research into new, clean ways to convert chemical building blocks obtained from biomass into a palette of valuables connections. Through a combination of biorefinery and further chemical conversions, the sugar fraction can be green building blocks for the chemical industry are made from non-edible biomass, compounds that can be used in plastics, coatings and other applications. One of the last synthesis steps suffices not yet meet the requirements of green and sustainable chemistry. We are looking for an alternative to this step. This alternative technology can then in principle be applied to a whole range of building blocks.

Pre-study flake cleanliness in plastic recycling
Nationaal Testcentrum Circulaire Plastics (NTCP) / Danone Nutricia Research
One of the major challenges in mechanical plastic recycling is to achieve a sufficiently high quality flake material that serves as feedstock to an extruder line to produce pellets that can be used by convertors. An area where this is of utmost importance is plastic packaging for food products, not only for product quality but also for food safety. Danone (one of the leading European food companies) and NTCP (the unique test and research centre around circular plastics) team up to take the measurement of flake quality a step further to eventually enable dedicated washing processes for specific plastics. The project will focus on selecting and developing easily accessible methods to determine the quality and especially cleanliness of plastic flakes. If these methods are easily accessible, one can adjust process parameters to reach the required output quality.

The CO2WA program: the development of new technology for water electrolysis and the capture, compression and conversion of CO2
Delft University / HyET Electrolysis B.V. / HyET NoCarbon B.V.
For the upcoming energy transition, water electrolysis and the capture and conversion of CO2 are essential technologies to produce fossil-free feedstock and fuels. These technologies need to be developed with the utmost reduction in cost at the maximum efficiency and durability possible. This program will explore this goal from various angles in the following exploratory workpackages in close collaboration with HYET. WP1. We develop an electrochemical approach to capture CO2 from air using pH swings. In addition, we will explore the electrochemical compression of the captured CO2. WP2. We develop a low temperature electrochemical CO2 conversion system for the production of CO at a rate of 0.5 kg/day. WP3. We develop novel anionic exchange membranes for water electrolysis with improved chemical stability, ionic conductivity and handling properties. WP4. We will investigate non-trivial ways to improve the water electrolysis process in zero-gap anion exchange configurations using magnetic fields and pulsed potentials.

Nature helps out: Bio-based Additives for Supporting Plastic Recycling in a Modern Circular Economy (Bio-SuPReME)
Groningen University / NHL Stenden / Croda Nederland BV
University of Groningen, NHL Stenden and Croda were already instrumental in initiating many research projects in the field of sustainable polymers and circular plastics. In this project they join forces to study the effects of novel biobased slip additives on the processing and recycling of PET. This will be achieved by simulating each step of the post-consumer closed loop mechanical recycling process. Although plastics have superior properties in many applications, often additives are used to improve these properties. In addition, additives are deployed to optimize process conditions during the production of plastic products. However, with regard to environmental issues, like the plastic soup, micro plastics and other plastic contaminations, not much attention is paid to the impact of additives on the environment. In most cases, additives used in plastic products are more polluting than the plastic itself, which often contains only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen building blocks. Additives, like plasticizers, UV-stabilizers and flame retardants are examples of non-environmental-friendly chemicals. However, some additives result in environmental advantages as they can facilitate recycling of the used plastics and with this promote a future circular economy.

Performance Polymers and Polyolefins DPI 2.0 Call for Research Proposals 2021
Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI)

Benign and Circular by Design – Sustainable Organophosphates
Uva-HIMS and Susphos

Phosphorus is essential for life on Earth and plays a prominent role in modern science and technology, where organophosphorus compounds are of immense importance for their wide-ranging applications in material science, nanotechnology and life sciences. At present, however, the overall industrial processes to produce these phosphorus compounds are unsustainable, energy intensive, and inefficient. Additionally, many organophosphorus chemicals are found in the environment, contributing to ever-growing chemical pollution. In this project, we will develop a computer-aided framework for the design of benign chemicals, making use of state-of-the-art predictive models and innovative experimental assessment techniques for environmentally relevant properties. Simultaneously, we will advance the eco-friendly production of benign organophosphates using waste phosphates as renewable feedstock, which will prevent their constant spillage in the environment. We will implement these innovations into a broader context and develop scalable protocols, which are needed to realize safe and sustainable phosphorus chemistry on a large scale, introducing systematic and targeted molecular design, as well as recycling, clean, and ‘cradle-to-cradle’ technologies as ground-breaking changes in the field to ensure the continued beneficial use of phosphorus, in particular as sustainable flame-retardant additives for textiles.