BEFuel combines the value-adding processing of two independent waste streams for the sustainable production of fuels and surfactants based on renewable energies and makes a decisive contribution to strengthening Germany as a technological pioneer in the combination of sustainable electrolysis and biotechnology.
The aim of BEFuel is to develop a combined bioelectrochemical process for the material utilisation of CO2-containing waste gases for the production of high-quality acids and alcohols with 6 to 8 carbon atoms (C6 or C8). These are formed directly in nutrient solutions from wastewater using a biotechnological process based on acetogenic and C-chain extending microorganisms and combined with selective product separation using a membrane system. The necessary supply of hydrogen to the microorganisms is ensured by an innovative zero-gap electrolyser with precious metal-free electrocatalysts. The oxidation of waste glycerine also serves as an electrochemical counter-reaction, from which sustainable biosurfactants are produced in a second downstream biotechnological process step with the help of actinobacteria.
The project is rounded off by an accompanying evaluation from a techno-economic and ecological perspective.
