Biorefinery

 

A biorefinery is a facility where biomass (like plants, agricultural residues, and waste) is converted into valuable products such as biofuels, chemicals, and energy. It operates similarly to an oil refinery but uses renewable resources instead of fossil fuels. Biorefineries are crucial for sustainability, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources and minimizing environmental impact. They also contribute to the circular economy by turning waste into valuable products.

 

For students, an internship in this field offers hands-on experience with innovative technologies, whether in biofuel production, green chemistry, or process engineering. Working in a biorefinery allows you to be part of the transition to a more sustainable and eco-friendly industrial future.

Partners

 

Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ) is founded in 1986. Areas of expertise: Engineering Programs; Physics and Chemistry of Materials; Sustainable Development Technologies; and Humanities and Arts Programs. In its Institutional Development Plan, UFSJ assumes the international integration of its graduate and undergraduate programs among its strategic objectives.

 

Universidade Federal de Vicosa (UFV) is a federal university in the city of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Viçosa is a technical university and offers courses in engineering, agronomy, veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and other areas related to science. 

 

Topic for internships

 

Research topics for internships vary by period as they are aligned with the ongoing research at that time. Below are some examples of previous internships to get a feel of what's possible within the subject of Biorefinery.

 

Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ)

Professor Boutros Sarrouh

Projects involving producing hydrolytic enzymes from isolated microorganisms and the fractionation of lignocellulosic residues for producing industrial bio-products of industrial interest by fermentative processes.

 

Examples of previous internships: 

  • Production of enzymes from isolated microorganisms aiming at enzymatic treatment and fermentation of biomass residues for the production of bio-products of industrial interest (Ruben Bond, 43)
  • Chemical and enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic residues for the production of bio-products of industrial interest by fermentation processes (48, 51)

Professor Daniel Bonoto Gonçalves

Bioconversion of macaúba cake into ethanol; Mobile biorefinery development for integration of ethanol and biodiesel production through the use of lignocellulosic biomasses derived from sustainable extraction; Development of ingredients from macaúba pulp and cake (Acrocomia aculeata) to improve the protein value, digestibility, and flavor of vegan burgers and plant-based foods.

 

Universidade Federal de Vicosa (UFV)

Professor Fábio de Ávila Rodrigues

Aspen Modelling: the process simulation and modeling will be executed while using the ASPEN+ computer tools. Both the biomass conversion step and the production levulinic acid process from biomass simulated using Aspen Plus TM process engineering software. The simulation done in Aspen will be validated using experimental data and also results published in the open literature. Once the simulation is validated, several plant configurations of the reaction and separation sections will be evaluated.: 

 

Examples of previous internships:

  • Aspen modeling of furfural and hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) production via dehydration of pentoses and hexoses (Fabio / Matthijs Muilwijk, 3)
  • Simulation and economic evaluation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural production from biomass (Fabio / Jesse Huebben, 45)
  • Simulation and economic evaluation of levulinic acid production from biomass (52) 

Qualifications

 

Examples of suitable academies

  • Bioprocess engineering
  • Biochemical engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Microbiology
  • Industrial microbiology

additional information

 

Possible internship periods 

February 2025 - June 2025

September 2025 - January 2026

  

Working language

English

(preferably) Portuguese