PhD researcher develops inexpensive, sustainable
production method in just 2 years
Delft University of Technology PhD candidate Maaike
Kroon has developed a sustainable and inexpensive production method
for the chemical industry. This method combines reactions and
separation processes, does not produce chemical waste and uses much
less energy. After just two years of PhD research, she will receive
her doctorate degree based on this research subject on December 11.
Maaike Kroon (25) is regarded as an exceptionally talented young
researcher.
Maaike Kroon has developed a sustainable production
method for the chemical industry that combines reaction and separation
processes. She used this new method in trial experiments to reproduce
a (already existing) medicine for Parkinson's disease. In doing so, no
chemical waste was produced nor harmful solvents used, and the process
required 75 percent less energy than is normally used. Moreover, not
only is the end product extremely pure, but Kroon's method is also
faster and less expensive. If used for this specific medicine, her
production method would result in possible savings of 11 million euro
per year.
The method combines so-called ionic liquids and
separation with supercritical carbon dioxide. Using this combination
was Kroon's idea, which Delft University of Technology has since
patented.
The raw materials for the medicine are dissolved in
ionic liquid. Ionic liquids are fluid salts that serve as clean
solvents. Carbon dioxide is added to this liquid under high pressure.
The high pressure propels the CO2 gas to the so-called supercritical
phase, during which it assumes the properties of both a gas and a
liquid. This causes everything present to fully mix in a homogenous
phase. The resulting reactions occur much more quickly than during the
reaction processes currently used. A further advantage of Kroon's
method is that all the raw materials are transposed into the end
product without containing any by-products. The separation process
occurs after the reaction. For this to occur, the pressure in the
kettle is reduced, causing the CO2 and material produced to evaporate
and float in a gas bubble on top of the liquid. It is easy to remove
this gaseous mixture. The ionic liquid's fluid mixture and the
catalyst remain behind in the kettle for reuse. The pressure is
lowered further for the gaseous mixture, causing the end product to
separate into a solid or liquid form.
Kroon says that there are no technical obstacles
preventing the industry from using this method. Kroon: "Unfortunately,
we must however consider the investments that companies have already
made in existing production plants. Many companies will therefore only
use this new method if a new factory is built." The combination of
ionic liquids with supercritical carbon dioxide can in principle be
used for the production of many other materials. Three new PhD
candidates will conduct further research in this area at Delft
University of Technology.
Maaike Kroon is regarded as an exceptionally
talented young researcher and has received her PhD degree remarkably
quickly: in just two years. Kroon had previously won the award for
best Delft University of Technology graduate of the class of
2004-2005. This past summer she was also invited to participate as a
researcher in the exclusive annual meeting of Nobel Prize Winners in
Chemistry, which was held in the German city of Lindau. In 2007, Kroon
will become an assistant professor at Delft University of Technology.
She will work in the DelftChemTech section and concentrate on
nanochemistry. "I like to see new scientific discoveries actually
being applied. This is currently an exciting challenge in
nanotechnology." In the autumn of 2007, Kroon will conduct research at
the Institut de Cičncia de Materials in Barcelona for a year.
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