Project BG-RRP-2.011-0021 Title: Technology for CO₂ Capture from Biomass Combustion Using Adsorbents Derived from Waste Materials for the Implementation of Investment under C2I2 “Enhancing the Innovation Capacity of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) in the Field of Green and Digital Technologies” within the Recovery and Resilience Plan
Final Beneficiary: Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Partner: Institute of Polymers – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Project Value: BGN 474,289, of which BGN 435,189 is funded under the Recovery and Resilience Facility and BGN 39,100 is national public co-financing.
Implementation Period: 29 May 2024 – 30 May 2026
Summary
The project aims to develop a closed-cycle system for energy production from biomass, which includes the capture of CO₂ emissions from flue gases using zeolite adsorbents derived from waste ashes generated during the combustion process, as well as silicate adsorbents from agricultural waste.
This approach will enable the utilization of the ashes and the reduction of the net amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere through a technology based on negative net emissions.
The project will build upon our fundamental scientific research and, using novel approaches, will develop an innovative technology for the production of adsorbents with enhanced CO₂ capture properties.
It will also create opportunities for the future transfer of the developed technology to address specific industrial challenges associated with the use of waste biomass.
Based on a chemical analysis of the composition of ashes and flue gases obtained from thermal power plants, a prototype system will be developed, optimized, and scaled up to a level that demonstrates its capability to operate under the planned operational environment, using newly developed adsorbents produced from waste ashes or agricultural residues.
The developed technology will be a more environmentally friendly and economically efficient alternative to currently used commercial CO₂ capture technologies.
The project will also include an economic feasibility study of the new technology.
Its implementation involves interdisciplinary research in fields such as materials science, organic synthesis, advanced analytical techniques, and economic analysis. It will strengthen collaboration between the research teams involved and create opportunities for partnerships with businesses.
The created intellectual property will be subject to protection. In addition to disseminating the results among the scientific and professional communities, the results will also be presented in a popularized format to the general public to increase societal awareness.