1. Development of green solvents in chemical engineering
1.1. One of the biggest challenges of chemical engineering is the development of efficient and environmentally friendly industrial processes. In order to make individual processes green character, the toxic organic solvents should be replaced with new non-toxic and biodegradable substances. Therefore, the goals of experimental research are focused on designing and testing new types of solvents named deep eutectic solvents (DES) as sorption media in the purification of gaseous and liquid streams and the extraction of valuable substances from waste materials.
1.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental
1.3. Keywords: green solvents, deep eutectic solvents, absorption, adsorption, extraction.
2. Odour deodorization processes
2.1. The organized and unorganized releases of smell cause odour nuisance around industrial areas such as: municipal management plants, agricultural and processing industry plants and chemical industry plants. There is a need to monitor these emissions as well as using optimal deodorization processes. These include: biofiltration, absorption, adsorption and catalytic oxidation. Sensor systems or electronic noses are used to monitor deodorization processes. As part of this research topic, there is an opportunity to develop competences and skills in the creation of sensor matrices, measurement networks or electronic noses for special purposes. In addition, research is carried out to improve the efficiency of odour removal by means of deodorization methods such as: biotrickling filters, absorption with green solvents or adsorption with the use of two-phase sorbents based on classic sorbents and green solvents.
2.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental
2.3. Keywords: odour, biotrickling filters, absorption, adsorption, green solvents, sensor matrices, electronic nose
3. Sequestration and utilization of carbon dioxide
3.1. The problem of carbon dioxide management is one of the leading scientific topics. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies are the two main groups of methods currently being proposed for use of CO2. Research in this scientific area includes two approaches: mineral carbonation and CO2 electroreduction. The development of the mineral carbonation technology results from the stability of the obtained CO2 sequestration products, their safety and non-toxicity. Besides, formed products are valuable compounds used in other industries and can be long-term stored. Research on new technologies includes the use of calcium-rich waste for sequestration, e.g. waste gypsum, ashes from power plants, post-distillation liquid from soda production using the Solvay method. Whereas CO2 electroreduction allows the use of CO2 as a raw material for the production of useful carbon compounds, including fuels. Research on this topic focuses on developing new electrode materials and the conditions for conducting the process of CO2 transformation to specific organic compounds.
3.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental
3.3. Keywords: carbon dioxide, CO2 sequestration, CCU technologies, mineral carbonation, electroreduction
