Room: Poster Area A
Date: Monday, 09 June 2025
Time: 16:15 - 17:15 CEST
Session code 2AV.3
Life cycle thinking and environmental assessments in bio-based innovations: from materials to energy systems
Economic and Environmental Performances of Bio-based Chemicals Produced with Green Hydrogen as a Reagent in a Sugarcane Biorefinery
Short Introductive summary
Green hydrogen, produced via renewable-powered water electrolysis, is considered a critical solution to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, including the chemicals industry, with a view to reaching net zero emissions by 2025. The economic and environmental benefits of using externally sourced green hydrogen to produce valuable chemical products in a sugarcane biorefinery were assessed. Seven (7) potential bioproducts derived from sugarcane materials in combination with green hydrogen were considered. Lignin isolated from sugarcane lignocelluloses using the Reductive Catalytic Fractionation (RCF) technology was used to produce cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, pure phenol, and phenolic oligomers, while the cellulose fraction of lignocelluloses was converted into levoglucosenone (LGO) via pyrolysis and subsequently processed into dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene) and 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO); isomalt was produced from sugarcane A-molasses. The biorefineries were integrated with an existing sugarcane mill, creating a combined facility that was energy self-sufficient, utilizing only sugarcane-derived materials and imported green hydrogen for energy, carbon, and hydrogen supply.
Presenter
Johann GORGENS
Stellenbosch University, Chemical Engineering Dpt., SOUTH AFRICA
Presenter's biography
Johann Görgens is a distinguished professor in chemical engineering with over 20 years' experience in bioenergy/biorefinery projects in industry and academia. He holds a research chair in sugarcane biorefineries and coordinates a range of research collaborations with public and private partners.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
E. Dogbe, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GHANA
J.F. Gorgens, Stellenbosch University, SOUTH AFRICA
Session reference: 2AV.3.22