Research Units

Research Units

PROCESSES – Systems engineering and industrial process evaluation

The PROCESSES unit brings together a multidisciplinary team of physicists, mathematicians, electronic engineers, chemical engineers, and environmental science experts. It focuses on the design, optimization, and evaluation of biological and technological processes and systems. With an emphasis on automation and control of complex systems in the process industry, and through advanced modeling and simulation tools, it enhances industrial system performance, improves operational efficiency, and promotes sustainability. In bioprocesses, the unit applies modeling techniques to design new or improved metabolic capabilities of microorganisms, aiming at environmental protection and sustainability. It also evaluates techno-economic feasibility, eco-efficiency, risk management, and the resilience of industrial processes, particularly in the urban water cycle.

Scientific-technical capabilities

1

Design, optimization, and control of biological and technological systems.

2

Modeling and simulation techniques for industrial processes.

3

Automation of complex systems in the process industry.

4

Genomic-scale metabolic modeling for innovation and sustainability in bioprocesses.

5

Industrial computing and bioinformatics.

6

Techno-economic evaluation techniques for industrial processes.

7

Eco-efficiency analysis and risk management in industrial processes.

Researchers

RECOGNIZED RESEARCHERS

ESTABLISHED RESEARCHERS

PREDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Current projects

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Latest publications

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

Latest Publications

Huang-Lin, E., Lebrero, R., Cantera, S. (2025) Continuous Valorization of Carbon Dioxide into the Fine Chemical Ectoine by Hydrogenovibrio marinus: A New Strategy for Pharmaceutical Production. Environmental Science and Technology.
Montaluisa-Mantilla, M.S., Gonçalves, J., García-Encina, P.A., Lebrero, R., Rico, M., Muñoz, R. (2025) Harnessing the potential of Epipremnum aureum (Pothos) for indoor air purification in botanical filters. Building and Environment.
Walter, J.M., Greses, S., Hagen, L.H., Schiml, V.C., Pope, P.B., González-Fernández, C., Arntzen, M.Ø. (2025) Anaerobic digestion of microalgae: microbial response and recovery after organic loading disturbances. mSystems.
Do Vale Borges, A., Zamariolli Damianovic, M.H.R., Torre, R.M. (2025) Assessment of aerobic-anoxic biotrickling filtration for the desulfurization of high-strength H2S streams from sugarcane vinasse fermentation. Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Sala-Garrido, R., Maziotis, A., Molinos-Senante, M. (2025) Assessing eco-efficiency of drinking water treatment plants: A synthetic index approach within water-energy-carbon nexus. Journal of Cleaner Production.