Green Catalysts 2024: Innovating Sustainable Solutions from Biomass to Biofuels

• Educate on Biomass and Renewable Energy: To provide a thorough understanding of biomass as a sustainable energy source, including its types, properties, and applications in generating various forms of renewable energy.
• Explore Catalytic Methods for Environmental Improvement: To explore both catalytic and non-catalytic methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, emphasizing innovative techniques like electrocatalysis and biological conversions.
• Enhance Skills in Analytical and Characterization Methods: To enhance participant skills in using advanced analytical and characterization methods essential for researching and developing new materials and processes in the biomass and catalysis sectors.
• Foster Innovation in Bioenergy Applications: To encourage innovation and critical thinking among participants by engaging them in problem-solving sessions focused on optimizing and creating new sustainable solutions for bioenergy.
• Promote Understanding of Industrial Applications: To promote a deeper understanding of the industrial applications of catalysis and biomass conversion, preparing participants for real-world challenges and opportunities.

Day 1: Biomass as a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Source

• Biomass and Other Energy Sources: A Comparison
  • Comparison with solar, wind, hydrothermal, geothermal, and nuclear energies.
• Diversity of Biomass
  • Examination of various forms of biomass, including the role of  Carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Structure and Composition
  • Detailed analysis of lignocellulosic biomass.
• Biorefinery Concepts
  • Understanding the integrated approach of converting biomass into multiple energy carriers.
• Introduction to Biofuels
  • Exploring bioethanol and biodiesel production from biomass.

Day 2: Advanced Catalysis for Environmental Sustainability

• Catalytic and Non-Catalytic Methods for Carbon dioxide (CO2) Reduction
  • Thermodynamic and kinetic constraints.
  • Electrocatalytic conversion using Cu nanoparticles.
  • Borohydrides as reducing agents.
  • Cyanobacteria in CO2 to glycogen conversion.
• Fermentation to Bioethanol
  • Fermentation of carbohydrates using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Utilizing solar energy in bioethanol production and separation.
  • Bioethanol for fuel cell applications.
• Glycerol Conversion to Biochemicals
  • Use of glycerol as a sustainable feedstock.
  • Catalytic methods for producing 1, 3-propane diol.
  • Yeast-catalyzed conversion processes.

Day 3: Catalysis for Biomass Conversion and Fuel Applications

• Conversion of Biomass to Glucose via Solid Acid Catalysts
  • Microwave techniques for converting cellulose.
  • Utilizing Gallium salt of molybdophosphoric acid and other catalysts.
  • Characterization methods like XRD, TPD, XPS, SEM-EDXA, TEM.
• Levulinic Acid Production
  • Cotton as a feedstock.
  • Synergistic activities of zinc bromide and Hydrochloric acid (ZnBr2 &HCl).
  • Potential of tungstophosphoric and tungstosilicic acids.
• Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil
  • Transesterification processes.
  • SrO based catalysts and SrO-carbon dot composites.
• Activated Carbon for Fuel Cells
  • Biomass as a source for porous carbon materials.
  • Activation methods and characterization of activated carbon.
  • Application of porous carbon materials in fuel cells.

• Advanced Catalytic Skills: Acquire advanced skills in the synthesis and application of catalysts, including nanoparticles and solid acids, crucial for innovative CO2 reduction and biomass conversion.
• Analytical Proficiency: Gain proficiency in modern analytical techniques such as XRD, TPD, XPS, and SEM-EDXA, enabling detailed material characterization and optimization.
• Biofuel Production Techniques: Master the complete biofuel production cycle, from biomass preprocessing to the fermentation and distillation of bioethanol and biodiesel.
• CO2 Conversion Strategies: Learn and apply various strategies for the conversion of CO2 into useful products using electrocatalytic and biological methods, enhancing sustainability practices.
• Process Improvement”: Develop skills in process improvement to increase yield and efficiency in biomass conversion processes using state of the art catalysts and experimentation with reaction time, temperature and conditions of activation
• Renewable Energy Systems Design: Design integrated systems for renewable energy production, combining various biomass-based energy solutions for improved output and sustainability.

• Networking Opportunities
• e- Certificates of Completion
• Research and Development Insights
• Interactive Sessions