Environmental Catalysis

INTRODUCTION

Environmental Catalysis Research Group was founded on 1992 by Prof. Consuelo Montes de Correa. The group is currently adscribed to the Engineering Faculty of the University of Antioquia and it is A1 according to the Colciencias classification of 2021.

Group's mission is to promote environmental improvement through the use of catalytic methods for control of gaseous pollutants emissions, as well as development of environmentally friendly routes to obtain products with added value. With this aim the group carries on applied research projects and divulges the knowledge through publications on scientific journals and presentations in national and international events.

As its vission, the group expects to promote with its research the practical application of catalysts to purify the environment and prevent its contamination. The group will serve as a platform for research projects funded by national and international entities and for collaborations with industry and other research groups on issues of practical importance that involve catalytic materials, pollutant analysis, chemical synthesis, biomass transformation and environmentally friendly processes. In addition, it will be recognized at an academic and industrial level as an active research center in applied catalysis for the protection of the environment and the transformation of biomass. Special attention will be paid to the global impact of processes on the environment using tools for life cycle analysis, modeling and simulation of processes to find the most technically, economically and environmentally favorable conditions.

General Objective

To contribute with scientific knowledge and practical solutions to reducing environmental impact through the development of preventive and corrective technologies.

Specific Objectives

1. Design, prepare, characterize and evaluate catalysts that minize or eliminate the negative impacts to the environment generated by the processes.
2. Propose sustainable processes that allow obtaining high added value products for the fine chemical industry from renewable natural resources and waste
3. Identify and evaluate strategies for energy and environmental improvement of processes with emphasis on the use of waste or national raw materials.
4. Develop strategies to minimize pollutant emissions that involve combustion processes in stationary and mobile sources.
5. Produce, divulge and transfer scientific and technical knowledge derived from the projects carried out.
6. To train human resources, especially at the master's and doctoral level in areas of growing interest such as environmental protection, the design of processes and products, and the transformation of biomass.
7. Promote the exchange of researchers through internships, postdoctoral stays and / or expert visits financed by national or international entities.

EVENTS

NEWS

Ranked as A1 group in call 894 of 2021 of Colciencias

Video about Environmental Catalysis Research Group: https://bit.ly/2QMPA5O

SCIENCE monologues (Explora la UdeA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z2LH-hyNmo&list=PL_HkC8-huRmgNYCF1-mxHEQR_EPuxLh_U&index=4

SEMINARS

April 21, 2025

Extraction of cellulose from solid agro-industrial waste derived from the cultivation and processing of the oil palm of Urabá Antioqueño

Daniel Londoño Pérez (Chemical Engineering student in academic practice)

Kinetics of slow release of nitrogen fertilizer

Juan Carlos Cuesta Caicedo (Master's student in Chemical Sciences)

Bifunctional catalysts for the transformation of terpenes

Luis Fernando Valencia (Research assistant)

Procedures for measuring nitrogenated compounds concentration in water

Laura Muñoz Builes (Chemical Engineering student)

CFD modeling of the combustion chamber of a cooking stove based on woody biomass gasification

Maria Adelaida Pino (Master's student in Engineering)

April 28, 2025

Gas-solid noncatalytic reactions

Douglas Rodríguez (Professor)

Circular Economy: Success cases and Insights

Daniel Moreno (Research Assistant)

May 5, 2025

Reactive distillation: The challenge of industrial process intensification

Lina María González (Professor)

Evacuation and emergency care

Geraldine Xiomara Marín Alvis (Monitor)

May 12, 2025

Use of citrus peel to obtain products that enhance ecosystem services in Colombia. Research proposal

Lic Amiris Perea (PhD student in Chemical Engineering)

May 19, 2025

Hybrids functional materials: Eco-friendly advancement

Professor Marta Mediavilla (Professor on research stay)

May 26, 2025

Synthesis and characterization of organometallic materials (MOFs) for the capture and sequestration of CO2 – research results

Bibiana Ramírez (PhD student in Chemical Engineering)

Prins reaction of estragole

Tatiana Castro Lugo (Young Researcher)

June 2nd, 2025

Holiday in Colombia

June 9, 2025

Encapsulation of Controlled-release NP Fertilizers in Nanocellulose Extracted from Hilopropio (Hedychium coronarium) Residues from the Municipality of Quibdó – Chocó – research results

Juan Carlos Cuesta Caicedo (Master student in Chemical Sciences)

Uses and characterization of biofilms

Daniel Sánchez (Young researcher CODI)

June 16, 2025

Informe GAGAS – Catálisis Ambiental

Aída Luz Villa (professor)

Guidance on organoleptic characteristics of craft beer based on formulation and hopping effects. Research proposal.

Francisco Londoño (Master's student in Chemical Engineering)