BrainMap

Mrs. Simona Bianca Ghimis

Chemist

Researcher - Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Other affiliations

PhD student - UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (Romania)

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (27/03/2019)

Expertise & keywords

Desulfurarea prin piroliza catalitica a pudretei de cauciuc in vederea modificarii bitumului rutier Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0552 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: ATICA CHEMICALS S.R.L.

Project partners: ATICA CHEMICALS S.R.L. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://www.aticachemicals.ro/index.php/proiecte/proiecte-cercetare

Abstract:

The diminution of the deterioration of the road infrastructure and the prevention of the appearance of phages is realized by modifying the road bitumen with polymers of elastomeric type that ensures the elastic return of the asphalt. The aim of the project is to develop an innovative technology on an industrial pilot scale for the manufacture of an elastomer for the modification of road bitumen by devulcanizing the used rubber powder. The innovative character of the project proposal is given by the proposed method for the devulcanization of spent rubber, respectively slow catalytic pyrolysis in the presence of an acid nanostructured catalyst, and the reactive adsorption of the sulfur resulting on nanostructured adsorbents. The improvement of the thermal and mass transfer in the extruder type pyrolysis reactor and implicitly the reduction of the temperature gradient, will be achieved by the use of an aromatic petroleum solvent, with low volatility, solvent that will solubilize the desulfurized elastomer. The metal sulfides resulting from the reactive adsorption will be removed by extraction in a polar solvent. By applying the procedure from this project proposal there is no toxic waste or gas, and the process of modifying the road bitumen will be simplified.

Energetic efficiency biogas plants improvement by integrated system: biogas-microalgae-biofuels in frame of biorefinery concept (AlgalBiogasConceptEnergy) Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0541 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU CARTOF SI SFECLA DE ZAHAR-BRASOV (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=38&lang=ro; http://www.icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=39&lang=en

Abstract:

The complex project propose the development and demonstration of innovative technologies to optimize the biogas plants by integrating the open ponds for microalgae cultivation using the digestate resulted from anaerobic digestion as a culture medium. The integral valorization of microalgae biomass consists in: obtaining of algal extracts (for co-digestion), lipid fraction (for biofuels) and spent biomass (co-digestion substrate); advanced separation and valorization of biogas by carbon dioxide conversion to biomethane; biorefining of the solid digestate and lipid fractions obtained from algal biomass into biochar, fuel components, bitumen fluxes, biohydrogen and liquefiable gaseous fractions. As results of this project will be: a demonstrated technology at TRL 6 level within the biogas-microalge integrated and an experimental stand for the evaluation of biomethane and liquefied gaseous hydrocarbons combustion efficiency and emission control.

Conversion of Biomass Wastes into Furan Derivatives, for Applications in Biofuels Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0635 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A.

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA PETROL GAZE PLOIESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpaomedias.ro/index.php/proiecte-in-derulare/carfural

Abstract:

The Kyoto protocol, together with the desire to reduce society’s dependence on imported crude oil, has directed researchers’ attention to the use of biomass as a source of energy and, more specifically, for transportation fuels. The biomass-derived fuels can be CO2–neutral, since the CO2 produced in their combustion can be reabsorbed by green plants during photosynthesis.

The overall objective of CARFURAL is conversion of lignocellulosic wastes in two chemical building blocks: furfural (furan-2-carbaldehyde) and 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals

[5-(alkoxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde], followed by processing them for the production of biofuels having applications as components or additives for gasoline or diesel, in order to improve their characteristics.

The end-of-project results will be original technologies for the production of following product groups with direct applications and market potential:

1- furfural and 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals (i.e. alkoxy = -OCH3, -OC2H5, -OC3H7, etc.) as process intermediates (for furan based biofuels), and end-products (in other potential uses, eg phenol-furfural resins, urea-furfural resins, solvents, etc.)

2- furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives

3- furyl-dioxacyclane esters

4- furan derivatives and/or tetrahydrofuran derivatives

5- tetrahydrofuryl-dioxacyclane derivatives

6- selective hydrogenation catalysts

7- hybrid biodiesel

- Furfural, will be produced by hydrolysis of hemicellulosic fractions from lignocellulosic wastes such as sunflower seed hulls (from oil factories), sunflower stalks and corn cobs. Remained cellulosic fraction will be processed to obtain 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals.

- Furfural and 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfurals will be condensed with crude glycerine, waste from biodiesel manufacture, resulting furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives.

- Furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives can be used as such, or will be transesterified, with monocarboxylic acid methyl esters, to obtain esters of furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives

- Furyl-dioxacyclane derivatives will be selective hydrogenated to result tetrahydrofuran derivatives

- 5-(Alkoxymethyl)furfurals will be selective hydrogenated to obtain furan derivatives [eg 2-methyl-5-(alkoxymethyl)furan] and/or tetrahydrofuran derivatives [eg 2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(alkoxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran; 2-methyl-5-(alkoxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran]

- Selective hydrogenation catalysts will be produced and tested

- A complex process for obtaining an hybrid biodiesel by processing together vegetable oil wastes and lignocellulosic wastes, resulting a mixture of classical biodiesel, furfural and 5-(methoxymethyl)furfural glycerol acetals, will be developed.

The following success criteria will be used as basis for evaluating project performance:

- it will develop laboratory-scale technologies for the production of derivatives from above mentioned classes (1-7)

- it will determine the specific characteristics of the synthesized products in mixture with gasoline and/or diesel; it will select at least one product from each class 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, which improve at least two characteristics of baseline gasoline and / or diesel (eg octane number, cetane number, pour point, cold filter plugging point, flash point, viscosity, environmental performance of additived fuels, as evidenced by the reduction of exhaust pollutants, etc.).

- for at least one efficient product, selected from all of 1-7 classes, it will be upgraded technologies from laboratory to micropilot scale

- it will protect original technologies developed in the project, by at least two national patent applications and two european patent applications

- the project results will be disseminated through publication of at least two papers, in ISI quoted scientific journals, and at least two communications at conferences

Interdisciplinary research about using of collagen based products with elastic characteristics on rape crop for yield increasing, reducing of losses of harvest and sustainable of agriculture productio Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0589 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL

Project partners: PROBSTDORFER SAATZUCHT ROMANIA SRL (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEXTILE SI PIELARIE-I.N.C.D.T.P. BUCURESTI SUCURSALA BUCURESTI INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARE PIELARIE - INCALTAMINTE I.C.P.I. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRONOMICE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA (RO); DANUBE RESEARCH-CONSULTING SRL (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.probstdorfer.ro/proiect_rapestick/

Abstract:

The project offers a technical solution for treating the rape crops in order to reduce the losses caused by the dehiscence of the silicva before harvesting.

The solution proposed have to use solution based on polymerisable collagen extracts, resulted from the processing of subproducts from aquaculture and from the fishing industry, which have: adhesive properties and elasticity characteristics, resistance to UV radiations, and a high contents of amino acids. At this moment these subproducts from aquaculture and fishing industry are thrown, being a polluting factor with organic matter of the residual industrial waters.

The novelty of the project consists in the use of polymerized substances for the protection of the rape silicva, which are based on the collagen extracts from fish, having beside the antidehiscence effect, also a foliar fertiliser and a fungicide effects. Compared with antidehiscence products used at this moment, which are synthesis products, and which have exclusively the adhesive function, the new proposed products by the triple effect characteristics, - adhesive, fertilizer and fungicide, will have an impact on increasing of crop production at quantitative and qualitative level, by increasing the vegetation period (prolonging the grain filling period), increasing the TKW (weight of 1000 kernels), and reducing the water evapotranspiration at the rape crop field level. The antidehiscent effect will be given by the elastic feature of the fish collagen, the fertilizer feature will be given by the amino acid content of collagen, and the fungicide feature will be given by the film-forming effect and by the semipermeable membrane of the product polymerized from fish collagen extract, resistant to the UV radiation. By reducing losses from rape grain, pollution (weeding) with rape plants in successive crops after rape crop is reduced, reducing the quantity use of herbicides on succeeding crops. Into project are involves five partners, two research institutes, one university and two SMEs that will exploit the results of the research each in its own economic development.

Extensive valorization of lignin and salicylic acid to bulk and fine chemicals Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0731 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); CENTRUL DE CHIMIE ORGANICA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE "C.D.NENITESCU" (RO); BIOMASS ENERGY FARMING SRL (RO); POLL CHIMIC S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/depts/chimie/chimie_organica_biochimie_si_cataliza/PROIECTE-DE-CERCETARE/Proiect-151-din-2012/

Abstract:

Lignin represents one of the major sources of carbon, hydrogen and functional groups provided by the nature. However, due to its polymeric structure, it is not enough valorized for the moment, although except the desert areas, it is abundant in the world. One of the reasons of the un-sufficient valorization is the high content of oxygen in very diverse functionalities. The present proposal constitutes a multi-facet project based on several novelties. The first one refers to the nature of the chemical compounds are intended to be produced using lignin as starting material. The second novelty refers to the nature of the catalysts. They will exhibit two functionalities: one acidic to disrupt oxygen bonds and to catalyze acylation and alkylation reactions, and second, to hydrogenate the disrupted fragments. The new catalysts will be prepared as micrometer materials containing active supported nano-structured species to allow an easy penetration inside the polymers. They will present a high density of defects, directly connected to the population of the active centres. The chemical composition of the catalyst represents another novelty, since it should be cheap and recoverable. The fourth novelty refers to the combination of valorization of lignin with salicylic acid. This is also abundant in bushes/leafs and till now does not found an efficient extraction and use in Romania. Another expected novelty is the establishment of analytic methodologies. The methods proposed till now in the literature are rather contradictory. Based on these statements the main objective of the project is Extensive valorization of lignin and salicylic acid to bulk and fine chemicals. Several sub-objectives are derived from this general objective: cultivation of different species of energetic willows, an efficient extraction of Lignin and Salicylic acid, new catalytic technologies to valorize the raw materials to surfactants and lignans, project implementation into pilot plant, dissemination.

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING SYNTHETIC AVIATION FUEL FROM ALGAL BIOMASS Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0083 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PRODUSE AUXILIARE ORGANICE S.A. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://algalsaf.icechim.ro/

Abstract:

INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING

SYNTHETIC AVIATION FUEL FROM ALGAL BIOMASS (ALGAL-SAF)

SUMMARY

ALGAL-SAF project focuses on the potential use of algae, as raw material for producing alternative fuels for aviation that could replace the petrochemical jet fuel up to 50% by volume without any durability problems, by an integrated technologies system starting from algae.

The overall objectives of the project aim to complete valorisation of algal biomass, using an integrated system wherein bio-feedstock is subjected to oil extraction to produce algal oil and then dehydrating of de-oiled algal biomass comprising carbohydrates, in the presence of catalysts to yield furan derivatives. Further, we propose, simultaneously catalytic processing technologies of fatty acid methyl esters and furan derivatives mixture by upgrading them into alcohol derivatives, and finally catalytic reforming processes for producing a mixture comprising iso/n alkanes, suitable for, or as a blending component for, uses such as an aviation fuel, being competitive and compatible, to current used fuels.No attempts were found in the literature about such an integrated system developed for synthetic aviation fuel production, as we have proposed in this project. We have found some knowledge gaps in the current state-of-art, as follows: (a) Selecting the microalgae able to grow in mixotrophic conditions for high yield algal oil production; (b) Mixotrophic microalgae culture, by supplementing culture media with crude glycerin, as carbon source and protein hydrolysate, as nitrogen source (c) Valorization of de-oiled algal biomass via furan derivatives, as precursors for aviation fuels; (d) Simultaneously catalytic processing technologies of fatty acid methyl esters and furan derivatives mixture by upgrading them into alcohol derivatives; (e) Simultaneously dehydration, hydrocracking and isomerization processes of alcohol derivatives, for producing iso/n alkanes, suitable as synthetic aviation fuel.

The project will contribute to environmental compliance of Directive 2009/28/EC, on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, which aims at achieving by 2020 a 20% share of energy from renewable sources in the EU's final consumption of energy and a 10% share in each member state's transport energy consumption.

Microalgal system used for CO2 mitigation resulted from biomass fermentation Call name: P 3 - SP 3.1 - Proiecte de mobilități, România-Moldova (bilaterale)
PN-III-P3-3.1-PM-RO-MD-2016-0094 2016 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (MD)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Proiectul de cooperare bilaterală internațională româno-moldavă cu titlul: ,,Sisteme microalgale utilizate pentru reducerea emisiilor de CO2 de la fermentatia biomasei” are ca obiectiv general cresterea eficientei energetice a instalatiilor de biogaz/ecologizarea proceselor de fermentatie enzimatica alcoolica prin reducerea continutului de CO2 din gazele rezultate, prin utilizarea unor culturi microalgale.

Strategia de implementare a proiectului vizează îndeplinirea urmatoarelor obiective specifice:

O1. Cresterera randamentului de biogaz cu un continut ridicat de CH4 prin utilizarea unor noi biocatalizatori in procesul de digestie anaeroba;

O2. Reducerea continutului de CO2 din gazele rezultate in urma proceselor de fermentatie prin utilizarea unor sisteme microalgale;

O3. Valorificarea biomasei microalgale cu scopul de a obtine biocompusi utili si utilizarea biomasei algale epuizate in procesul de digestie anaeroba.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects