Chemical Technologies

(Bio)Process technology, including process intensification

Definition

Process technology, bioprocess technology, including process intensification all focus on the optimal, stable and safe design of (green) chemical production processes. This includes matters such as: scalability, heat integration, safety, optimal downstream processing, space utilisation and cost efficiency. Synthesis is an essential part of chemical production processes in addition to separation technologies. An important trend is to make more use of green (sustainable) raw materials in production processes, to reduce by-products and waste streams and to reuse and recycle them as much as possible.

Keywords (selection)

Process systems engineering, Process integration, Synthesis, Photoredox synthesis,
Protein synthesis (e.g. CO2-to-protein), (chemical) Recycling, Polymerization, De-polymerization, Pyrolysis, Green chemistry, Renewable feed stock, Bioreactor(s), Bioprocessing, Fermentation, Enzymatic conversion, biomaterials, biochemicals,
Bio-hydrogen, Metabolic engineering, Green solvents, Non-toxic chemicals,
Nutraceuticals

(Advanced) Reactor engineering

Definition

Advanced Reactor engineering and Reactor engineering facilitate chemical reactions at large and at (very) small scales. Reactor design (such as microreactor design) is important here.

Keywords (selection)

Process intensification, fluid mechanics, multi-phase reactants, Advanced heat and mass
transfer concepts, Modelling, Lab-on-a-chip, process-on-a-chip, Reaction telescoping,
Microchannels, Photochemistry, Micro/milli channels, electricity-driven chemical reactors.

Separation technology

Definition

Separation technology involves reprocessing raw materials, which are often incorporated in complex products, to the purity or functionality required for the application. Meso- and microstructures are used, and efforts are made to preserve or achieve specific structures. Separation technology also plays an important role in environmental technology. Separation can take place on the basis of chemical or physical properties of raw materials and products.

Keywords (selection)

Drying, Dehydration, Air purification, Fuel purification, Water purification, Gas filter,
Liquid filter, Filter membranes, Membrane filtration, Vapor filter, Distillation filter,
Extraction filter, Crystallization filter, Reactive distillation, Metal recycling, Depolymerization.

Catalysis

Definition

Catalysis makes the process of converting raw materials into other products more efficient: using less energy for a specific chemical reaction, or promoting conversion to a specific end product. Catalysis also allows us to make 'smarter' products from other raw materials (e.g. using enzymes as catalysts to make food variations such as artificial meat, or using methanol and sugars as raw materials). A distinction can be made between homogeneous, heterogeneous and bio-catalysis.

Keywords (selection)

Biocatalysis, Homogeneous catalysis, Heterogeneous catalysis, Single-atom catalysis,
Green Chemistry Technology, Catalysis for (advanced) Recycling, Catalysis for
(de-)polymerization, Nanoreactors, Cross coupling, Electrocatalysis, Catalytic DNA,
Photocatalysis, Reaction intermediates, Catalytic oxidation, Chemical activation,
(de)Hydrogenation, Polymerization, isomerization.

Analytical technologies

Definition

Analytical technologies comprise advanced analysis, detection and measurement methods to examine raw materials, intermediate or final products (in solid, liquid or gas form) for purity, material properties and toxicity, among others. This involves dynamic analysis of structure at different scales (1 nm - 1 mm).

Keywords (selection)

Analytical separation, Spectroscopy, Chromatography, Microscopy, Sequencing,
Magnetic resonance, Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, Ray absorption, Xray,
Tomography, non-target analysis.

Electricity-driven chemical
reaction technologies

Definition

Electricity-driven chemical reaction technologies are in line with the trend to electrify existing chemical processes to reduce emissions. Electricity can be used either directly or indirectly in a chemical reaction, focusing on the nature of the energy supply or the reaction mechanism. Examples of the latter include electrochemical or photochemical processes that deploy electrical energy or photons, respectively, to make or break chemical compounds and direct raw materials in the reaction process towards specific end products.

Keywords (selection)

Electrical naphtha cracking, Electrical reforming, Electrochemistry (including hydrogen production), Electrochemical processes, CCU, Bio(electro)chemical processes, Electro-chemical fermentation, Energy conversion and storage, Fuel Cells, Energy carriers, Batteries, Plasma technologies, Hydrometallurgical metals recycling, Power-to-x technologies.