HORIZON 2020 Industrial Leadership Call for SPIRE - Sustainable Process Industries New adaptable catalytic reactor methodologies for Process Intensification

Specific challenge: The reduction of the number of steps and unit operations in industrial processes is a key factor in achieving process intensification, improving the efficiency in the use of resources, and reducing the impact on the environment. Continuous scalable processes using intensified equipment are key to enable flexible and decentralised production at high process performance.

Scope: Projects should develop new adaptable reactor concepts to reduce the number of process steps and unit operations for industrially relevant processes, by the redesign and merging of critical reaction steps and subsequent process steps, such as separation and work-up or by allowing new operating windows that are not accessible using conventional equipment. Projects should include The design of the corresponding reactor equipment, in close co-operation of the engineering and equipment manufacturing sectors with process industries.

Application areas targeted include new adaptable catalytic schemes; or reactors and processes allowing for operation at high pressure and/or temperature for a substantially increased space time yield.

The integration and optimisation in relation to full process engineering assessment should be explored. The impact of the new process solutions should be proven through process modelling and assessment, and quantified in terms of resource intensity reduction as well as reduction of emissions. Depending on the scale of the industrial processes included in the project, it would be beneficial to consider their implementation within modular or containerised set-ups. 

Activities expected to focus on Technology Readiness Levels 3-5.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 3 and 6 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

·                Reduction of at least 15% in process energy intensity and material resource use for relevant large volume industrial processes. 

·                Reduction of at least 15% in emissions compared to the present state of the art. Significant improvements in the flexibility and productivity of industrial processes.

Type of action: Research & Innovation Actions