SwitcH2PHA
The project SwitcH2PHA aims to develop and optimize a novel process for the valorization of heterogeneous biowaste into bioenergy and biopolymers, allowing the production of high added value commercial raw materials that address the problem of plastic pollution within the principles of circular bioeconomy.
SwitcH2PHA addresses the following objectives:
Valorization of different municipal organic waste and agro-industrial waste streams for simultaneous production of biohydrogen and VFAs via dark fermentation.
Municipal organic waste and rural organic waste are mixed and pretreated to convert structural biopolymers from complex feedstock into simple fermentable compounds such as hexoses, pentoses, and carbohydrate oligomers, while providing at the same time the optimum physiochemical conditions for dark fermentation (DF). The pretreatment is carried out in continuous stirred tank reactors for H2 and VFAs production. Process parameters (e.g., hydraulic retention time HRT, organic loading rate OLR, pH and temperature) that influence the acidogenic fermentation yield are being studied. Moreover, natural methanogenic inhibitors, like antioxidants from olive oil mill wastewater, will be used in an effort to inhibit methanogens and promote VFAs production. The application of high throughput next generation -omics technologies is used to elucidate the complex microbiomes driving dark fermentative biohydrogen production, providing insight into the taxonomic diversity, structure and composition of the microbiome based on a marker gene. In addition, such as the separation of liquids (where VFAs can be found) and solids, and further energy utilization of solids are also being addressed.
Learn moreEvaluation of VFAs as carbon source for the production of biodegradable PHAs.
The VFA stream from dark (acidogenic) fermentation, rich in organic matter (acetic, butyric, and propionic acid) is utilized as substrate for the microbial production of PHAs with a focus on establishing of the most cost-effective and sustainable bioprocess to produce PHAs. To this end, the effect of different parameters (VFAs concentrations, VFA profile, nitrogen source, feeding strategy) is evaluated and optimized in batch and fed-batch modes. One of the most important bottlenecks in PHAs mass production, namely the recovery process, is also optimized via combing chemical and physical processes to obtain high PHA recovery yields. The influence of VFA composition and recovery process on the structure and properties of PHA is evaluated.
Learn morePilot implementation of the optimum cascade processes.
To support transition to innovation with a larger scale process, the validation of the two-step cascade process (e.g., DF and PHAs production) of SwitcH2PHA will be performed in a pilot facility (e.g., pilot infrastructure already producing PLA at HMU) under the optimized conditions. Focus will be placed on developing new configurations and control strategies with respect to the large-scale application and elucidate basic key steps in order to close the knowledge gap in the upscaling process. This will also allow to evaluate in a realistic level, issues of significant technical importance as are the mild heat pretreatment using solar energy, liquid/solids separation after DF and the further energy utilization of the solids through wet state anaerobic digestion for biogas production.
Learn moreAssessment of PHA properties as compared to standards set for conventional packaging materials by analyzing the mechanical, thermal and physicochemical properties of PHAs.
The thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties of the produced PHAs will be determined. The main parameters of the PHA production process (e.g., fermentation parameters (profile of VFAs)/fed-batch/pilot processes) and the recovery method that affect the molecular weight of the PHAs will be evaluated and correlated to define the optimal production and recovery methods for PHAs with targeted properties.
Learn moreDevelopment of PHA-based compounds with tailored properties for specific applications.
PHAs derivatization and blending with other polymers or/and plasticizers will be investigated to improve processability by lowering the processing temperature and reducing the inherent brittleness of PHA-based plastics. Synthetic derivatives of the produced PHAs will be formed through “click” crosslinking and covalent modification, free radical polymerization grafting. In an alternative effort to induce desired material properties, blending of PHAs with synthetic biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or plasticizers will also be studied. The derivatives and blends will be evaluated in terms of stability, processability, elasticity, and gas permeability.
Learn moreDemonstration of the environmental & economic sustainability of the developed process.
The environmental performance and techno-economic feasibility of the proposed processes will be evaluated, aiming to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional processes. The environmental impact assessment will be based on the implementation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). For LCA, the SimaPro software will be used.
Learn moreThe workplan of SwitcH2PHA is divided into six work packages (WPs) to be realized in a period of 24 months with the active implication and close collaboration of all partners.
The figure depicts a schematic illustration of the interconnection and of the flow of materials/knowledge among WPs and tasks.
Funding
This project is carried out within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (Implementation body: HFRI)
Χρηματοδότηση
Το έργο υλοποιείται στο πλαίσιο του Εθνικού Σχεδίου Ανάκαμψης και Ανθεκτικότητας «Ελλάδα 2.0», με τη χρηματοδότηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης – NextGenerationEU (Φορέας Υλοποίησης: ΕΛ.ΙΔ.Ε.Κ.)