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.
This subproject aims to produce renewable gases (bioCH₄) by applying microaerobic conditions to eliminate hydrogen sulfide and enhance the hydrolysis stage, thereby reducing residence times in waste digestion. Subsequently, a hydrogenotrophic stage will be implemented, in which the digestate and biogas from the microaerobic stage are fed. The technical feasibility of bioCH₄ production is complemented by a subproject studying its economic viability.
This project aims to develop an innovative methodology to provide a powerful tool that addresses the complexity of a three-dimensional dispersion solver and integrates the resulting forecast as an atmospheric pollution/odor layer within urban digital twins. The developed methodology will enable the creation of a fast and practical tool that predicts the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants and odors in urban areas with very high spatial and temporal resolution by combining CFD and artificial intelligence applications.
SYNBIOCONV focuses on developing a new concept of a flexible, efficient, and sustainable multiplatform biorefinery capable of valorizing any organic waste—including toxic or recalcitrant types—through the production of synthesis gas and its subsequent bioconversion into marketable chemicals and renewable fuels.
The objective of this project is to develop a techno-economically viable and sustainable process through the integration of technologies (HTC, pyro-gasification, biological methanation, reforming) for the conversion of biomass and waste—both dry and high-moisture content—into green methane and green hydrogen. This approach promotes the use of these renewable gases in industry.
Rivero-Contreras, R.E., Merino, A., Zamarreño, A.M., Vilas, A., Tadeo, A. (2025) A virtual environment with programmable logic controllers: an application in the evaluation of control strategies. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática industrial. https://doi.org/10.4995/riai.20224.20881
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
