Catalytic valorisation of Hemicelluloses in an Innovative Compartmented Heterogeneous rEactor – CHICHE

Through an approach coupling catalysis and chemical engineering, the intrinsic performances of the catalyst(s) and the reaction mechanisms will be determined. The project aims to improve the understanding of reactions and physicochemical phenomena involved for the optimization of future hemicellulose recovery processes.

Results are confidential until their publication

Future prospects are confidential until the publication of results

3 publications are in progress

The valorization of hemicelluloses representing 25 to 40% mass of lignocellulose is a key point for the development of biorefineries. The purpose of CHICHE project is to design a continuous catalytic process for valorization of hemicelluloses, integrating several stages of reaction and separation in a single continuous compartmented reactor.

In this process, hemicelluloses will be depolymerized into sugars over an acidic catalyst. The sugars obtained in a first reactor compartment will be transferred to a second compartment by membrane separation and then hydrogenated to polyols over a metal catalyst.

Through an approach coupling catalysis and chemical engineering, the intrinsic performances of the catalyst(s) and the reaction mechanisms will be determined. The project aims to improve the understanding of reactions and physicochemical phenomena involved for the optimization of future hemicellulose recovery processes.