Karla Dussán Email & Phone Number

Petten, Netherlands

Petten, The Netherlands

County Galway, Ireland

Irish Research Council postdoctoral scholar under the Enterprise Partnership Scheme.Project: Assessing the technical viability of thermal conversion of biomass for biomethane production. Researcher at Spoke 3.8 Lifecycle Assessment Biomethane Production via Gasification and Methanation in Ireland, MaREI Research Centre.

Irland

Thermodynamic modelling of energy recovery options from digestate at wastewater treatment plantsFunded by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland

Irland

Projects: “Catalytic Acid Biorefining Technology for LC Feedstocks” (CHEMSPUR); and “Resource Innovation Network for European Waste” (ReNEW):- Characterisation of feedstocks and products from the fractionation of different feedstocks at a pilot-scale continuous reactor (1-3 kg/min) and implementation of analytical techniques for sampling.- Evaluation of furfural yields from the hemicellulose fractionated from different feedstocks at laboratory scale at different conversion conditions.- Evaluation and screening of solvents for the biphasic conversion of hemicellulose sugars to furfural at lab scale.- Screening of homogeneous co-catalysts for the optimisation of furfural production from the hemicellulose fractions of biomass feedstocks.

Irland

My doctoral work focused on the study of primary biomass conversion and fractionation processes and the posterior production of platfrom chemicals through aqueous catalytic conversion. It has included:- The evaluation of novel formic acid based pretreatment or fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks such as sugarcane bagasse and Miscanthus, using oxidative agents such as hydrogen peroxide, at small laboratory (<100 mL) and batch reactor (3 L) level. This study has considered the distribution of carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin degradation and recovery at different conversion conditions (temperature, oxidant concentration, time).- The study of the conversion of the hemicellulose carbohydrates (aldopentoses and oligomers) in the pretreatment liquors after formic acid-based fractionation to produce furfural. Kinetic studies using formic acid as catalyst developed in this part of my research have supported the optimisation of operational conditions for the production of furfural. - The kinetic evaluation of acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and acid-catalysed dehydration of biomass carbohydrates for the production of levulinic acid and furfural using sulphuric acid as catalyst at high temperatures at a batch reactor (up to 3L). During my research I have developed extensive experience in analytical techiques such as:- International standardised analytical procedures for the determination of biomass composition (carbohydrates, lignin, ash, extractives) and the characterisation of biomass processing eluents (cellulosic pulp materials, preteatment liquors, hydrolysates).- High-performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography. Development of analytical protocols, troubleshooting and maintenance of chromatography equipment.- Advanced characterisation techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA/DSC, ultimate biomass analysis (elemental analysis), among others.

Management report - Statistics

Kassel Und Umgebung, Deutschland

At the Institut für Thermische Energietechnik - Kassel UniversityStudy of the thermal and chemical mechanisms of char gasification, effects of temperature and steam concentration on the gasification rate and the quality of the syngas (CO, CO2, H2, CH4, C2H8 composition), and also analytical techniques for biomass-derived carbonaceous material characterisation (ultimate and approximate analysis) following high European standards.

Bogotá, Colombia

Introduction to Heterogeneous CatalysisChemical Engineering Department

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Chemical & Environmental Sciences

Thesis: "Primary conversion of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of furfural and levulinic acid"

Exchange Student – Daad Scholarship Holder, Mechanical Engineering

Institut fur Termische Energie Technik Exchange student – DAAD Scholarship holder Thesis Work: Kinetics reaction of the Steam Gasification.

Chemical Engineer, Engineering, Gpa 4.1/5.0

Bacherlor’s thesis: Kinetics of the steam gasification of pyrolysed beech wood. Courses: Process Simulation (Aspen Plus, Aspen Properties.