Bigsquid helps you to process bioethanol from biogas

A collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and Fattoria Autonoma Tabacchi S.C.

Biomethanol from biogas, but also from woody biomass. This was the challenge won by Politecnico di Milano and Fattoria Autonoma Tabacchi S.C. 

The BIGSQUID (biogas-to-liquid) technology was presented in Rome on 13 July during the Confagricoltura Annual Meeting 'For over 100 years we have been imagining the future. Together with agricultural enterprises to make Italy grow'.

It was devised by the Centre for Sustainable Process Engineering Research (SuPER) guided by Flavio Manenti, Full Professor of Chemical Plants of the 'Giulio Natta' Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, and patented by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of Politecnico di Milano. BIGSQUID technology was proposed for engineering and industrialisation to Fattoria Autonoma Tabacchi S.C., headed by Dr. Fabio Rossi.

It is a technological alternative to biogas and biomethane. This is an interesting option especially considering the upcoming expiry of incentives for existing biogas plants, which cannot be converted to biomethane production.

THE CAPACITY OF THE PLANT

The plant in which the technology was developed is located in the Giove locality of Città di Castello (PG). The facility can produce up to 4,500 tonnes of biomethanol per year. This energy source can be used as an 'advanced fuel for the decarbonisation of agricultural and industrial transport, as well as a biochemical carbon negative (-88%) to trap CO2 and in all methanol derivatives such as chipboard, polymers, paints and glues,' Politecnico explained in a note.

PROSPECTS FOR USE

According to researchers, BIGSQUID technology could make a major contribution to the green transition. "If applied to a third of Italian plants (around 600), up to 3 million tonnes/year of biomethanol could be produced. 1 million tonnes/year would cover the current national demand and could be put on the market to replace imported fossil methanol, for a total decarbonisation of one of the main industrial sectors. A surplus of 2 million tonnes/year could be exported or used as a substitute additive in petrol to make it more environmentally friendly,' they say.

Source: Canale Energia

OTHER ARTICLES FROM THE SECTIONResearch
More space and rooms for the environment: the renewed research laboratories at Politecnico
A number of laboratories of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Politecnico di Milano have been upgraded and relocated all together into in a new building. The heads of the laboratories take us on a guided tour.
01/03/2024
The EU has provided almost €8 million for the numerical simulation of complex phenomena
ne parliamo con la prof. Paola Antonietti, del Dipartimento di Matematica del Poli
28/02/2024
La spettroscopia utraveloce è un capitolo della scienza che si scrive a Milano
In the Poli labs, a new generation of scientists is charting new routes: today we introduce you twelve of them, among the best young researchers in Europe
07/02/2024
New sensors to be mounted on trains to safeguard bridges and railways
In the Poli labs, a new generation of scientists is charting new routes: today we introduce you twelve of them, among the best young researchers in Europe
20/12/2023
Sensors and 'self-healing' materials to protect cultural heritage
In the Poli labs, a new generation of scientists is charting new routes: today we introduce you twelve of them, among the best young researchers in Europe
11/12/2023
Fighting cancer: photonics in the operating room
In the Poli labs, a new generation of scientists is charting new routes: today we introduce you twelve of them, among the best young researchers in Europe
28/11/2023
Nanocarriers delivering drugs drugs into our bodies only where they are needed
In the Poli labs, a new generation of scientists is charting new routes: today we introduce you twelve of them, among the best young researchers in Europe
22/11/2023
The autopilot that takes us to space
In the Poli labs, a new generation of scientists is charting new routes: today we introduce you twelve of them, among the best young researchers in Europe
30/10/2023
SPOTLIGHT
The best espresso there’s ever bean
Smeg's BCC automatic espresso machine has won the DesignEuropa Awards 2023. We had coffee with the alumni who designed it
05/03/2024
Alumni Community
Agreement with SNAM renewed
Collaboration on security and energy transition, innovation and training continues
13/03/2023
University and companies
Gasometers: construction site at the future Bovisa Goccia campus starts
Gastometer 1 will be dedicated to sport, gasometer 2 to innovation
25/09/2023
Campus Life
Excellence Of Politecnico In Qs World University Rankings By Subject
7th Place In The World In Design And Architecture, 23rd In Engineering. Absolute Record In Italy.
10/04/2024
From the Rector's Office
GIRLS@POLIMI 2023: 25 ENGINEERING STUDENTS HONOURED
Scholarships awarded to promote gender equal opportunities
02/10/2023
Studies
Extraordinary Italians! Giuseppe Scionti and Novameat's cultivated meat
L’ingegnere biomedico dal Politecnico di Milano è stato selezionato da StartupItalia come uno degli italiani che si sono distinti nel mondo
27/03/2024
World
Create worksite-schools to redevelop properties confiscated from the mafia
This is the aim of Co-WIN, a Politecnico di Milano research project funded by your 5 per mille donations. Soon this model can be replicated throughout Italy
01/06/2023
Social responsIbility