Joint webinar explores the role of catalysis in delivering sustainable bioenergy and bioproducts
The first joint webinar held by the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the UK Catalysis Hub ran on 6 August and explored the role of catalysis in delivering sustainable bioenergy and bioproducts, through efficient biomass conversions. The webinar comprised of two sessions of presentations from researchers of both Hubs covering the areas of catalytic conversion technologies, pre-treatment of biomass, through to conversion of carbon dioxide, solar fuel cells and waste valorisation.
A recording of the event is available on YouTube (see below).
Chris Hardacre (University of Manchester) from the UK Catalysis Hub and the Supergen Bioenergy Hub chaired the first session, and Katie Chong (Aston University) from the Supergen Bioenergy Hub chaired the second session, both moderating questions and encouraging cross-hub discussion.
Full schedule:
10:00 Introduction and overview of the UK Catalysis Hub and Supergen Bioenergy Hub – Professor Chris Hardacre (UK Catalysis Hub, University of Manchester) and Professor Patricia Thornley (Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Aston University)
Session 1: Chair: Chris Hardacre – (15 min presentations with 5 mins questions)
10:20 Liquid Sunshine – making high energy density fuels – Prof. Mike Bowker (Cardiff University)
10:40 Overview of resources and land use within Supergen – Dr. Muhammad Naveed Arshad (Aberystwyth University)
11:00 The Circular Economy and the upscaling of Polymer Waste to Chemicals – Prof. Arthur Garforth (University of Manchester)
11:20 Catalyst Design and Process Optimisation for Sustainable Production of Biofuels – Dr. Haresh Manyar (Queen’s University Belfast)
11:40 Session 1 Discussion (20 mins)
12:00 Lunch Break
Session 2: Chair: Dr. Katie Chong (Aston) – (15 min presentations with 5 mins questions)
12:50 Pretreatment of biomass for conversion technologies in Supergen – Prof. Jason Hallett (Imperial College London)
13:10 Cavitation pre-treatment for enhanced biogas generation – Dr. Sanjay Nagarajan (Queen’s University Belfast)
13:30 Pyrolysis conversion technologies within Supergen – Dr. Scott Banks (Aston University)
13:50 Solid oxide cells and biogas – Prof. John Irvine (University of St Andrews)
14:10 Overview of systems and vectors within Supergen – Dr. Andrew Welfle (University of Manchester)
14:30 Session 2 Discussion (30 mins)
15:00 End
About the UK Catalysis Hub
The Catalysis Hub was created with EPSRC funding with the aim to first establish a world-leading, comprehensive and coordinated programme of catalytic science in the UK; secondly to develop new knowledge and promote innovation in and translation of catalytic science and technology; and thirdly to enable the UK to regain and retain its world leading position in catalysis. The Hub was launched in April 2013 at its physical centre in the Research Complex at Harwell with a program of initial scientific projects starting from July 2013.
