CREST - Catalytic Reaction Engineering for Sustainable Technologies

Mission

The ultimate target of the CREST group is the study of innovative chemical processes that pursue the goal of developing a more sustainable society model. This objective is realized through five different approaches (see group sections): i) biorefinery, i.e. exploitation of biomass to produce fuels or chemicals derived from renewable sources; ii) re-use and recovery of wastes for limiting the environmental impact of conventional processes; iii) monitoring of the quality and safety of products of the food industry; iv) development of innovative catalytic processes for energy production and environmental protection and v) development of novel technologies, exploiting renewable resources, aimed to the reduction of the CO2 emissions and the CO2 utilization as raw material for the production of high-added value products (e.g. chemicals or fuels).

Main targets

  • Development of hydrothermal and/or wet catalytic processes able to reach at least 20% of lignin valorization (on an energy basis)
  • Photocatalytic processes with efficiency higher than 5%
  • Algae conversion processes with 30% yield to gaseous fuels
  • Pollutants abatement at vehicle exhausts of Diesel engines using a catalytic converter without noble metals.
  • Conversion of sugar waste into high added value products, with yields higher than 50% wt.
  • Development of processes of anaerobic digestion of food residues able to give biogas yields higher than 60% (by weight)

Leader

Prof.ssa Debora Fino - Prof. Raffaele Pirone - Prof. Nunzio Russo

Research teams

Additional contents