The ENVIROENG unit applies sustainable engineering to environmental protection and the efficient use of resources. With a multidisciplinary team of chemical engineers, biologists, biotechnologists, and environmental science experts, it develops innovative solutions in biological and physicochemical processes for the valorization of waste, by-products, and pollutants into high-value products and energy. The unit excels in wastewater treatment, solid waste management, gaseous emission decontamination, and indoor air purification. Additionally, it employs advanced genomics and microbiology techniques to optimize bioprocesses and enhance the resilience of the productive sector without compromising its competitiveness.
Characterization of waste and by-products and biodegradability testing.
Design and optimization of sustainable processes for waste and by-product treatment and valorization.
Reactor engineering.
Scaling and validation of processes in industrial environments.
Techno-economic feasibility analysis of treatment and valorization processes.
Advanced microbiological and genomic characterization techniques for bioprocess optimization and innovation.
Techniques for inoculum selection and optimization in bioprocesses.
DEEP-PURPLE aims to transform diluted urban bio-waste into sustainable bio-products including cosmetics, fertilisers, packaging and self-repairing construction materials, in the first Purple Phototropic Bacteria biorefinery in the EU.
The main objective of the project is to demonstrate the technical-economic and environmental viability of a new management model for livestock discharges. Treatment in low-cost biodigesters and subsequent use of the digestate as biofertiliser/biostimulant and of the biogas as clean energy (biomethane), will allow to reach the global objective.
The project aims to improve the performance and stability of anaerobic digestion by developing a two-stage lactate-based process in order to valorise food waste and promote a novel practical solution for next-generation food waste biorefineries.
The main objective of the project is to cooperatively contribute to resolving cross-border issues in the valorization of compounds and other waste generated in the treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste.
Mocholi-Arce, M., Sala-Garrido, R., Molinos-Senante, M., Maziotis, A. (2025) A comprehensive evaluation of eco-productivity of the municipal solid waste service in Chile. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-025-1931-9
Marcos-Rodrigo, E., Lebrero, R., Muñoz, R., Sousa, D.Z., Cantera, S. (2025) Syngas biological transformation into hydroxyectoine. Bioresource Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131842
Herrero-Lobo, R., Torres Franco, A.F., Lebrero, R., Rodero, M.D.R., Muñoz, R. (2025) Evaluation of the influence of the gas residence time and biomass concentration on methane bioconversion to ectoines in a novel Taylor flow bioreactor. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123592
Severi, C.A., Pascual, C., Perez, V., Muñoz, R., Lebrero, R. (2025) Pilot-Scale Biogas Desulfurization through Anoxic Biofiltration. Journal of Hazardous Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136830
Hoyos, E.G., Lomanar, M.L., Blanco, S., Lebrero, R., Muñoz, R. (2025) Improving photosynthetic biogas purification via process aeration and nanoparticle supplementation. Bioresource Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131987
