RESEARCH LINES
Energetic and environmental process improvement strategies
Emphasis:
Studies on the effect of integrating reaction and separation stages in processes of industrial or environmental interest.
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Current projects:
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Completed projects:​
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Process design for fuel alcohol production from yucca starch using simultaneous saccharification-fermentation methodology with membranes for in-situ ethanol removal. Fiduagraria S.A. - Fundaunibán – Colciencias - U. de A.
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Direct synthesis of diethyl carbonate from carbon dioxide and ethanol using a catalytic membrane reactor. CODI.
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Evaluation of potential pine oil derivatives as additives to diesel.
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Kinetic and operational modeling of the combustion of gasoline + oxygenated additives blends in a CFR Spark-Ignition engine
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MEC-H2 - Model of the Colombian Energy System for the evaluation of energy transition scenarios towards the hydrogen economy. Minciencias - UdeA - Universidad de La Sabana.
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Modeling of polluting emissions with superior blends of biodiesel, and its impact on air quality in large urban centers - BIO-MODEC. Minciencias - UdeA
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Research: evaluation of the reduction of polluting emissions and GHG in a cooking stove based on biomass gasification type TLUD, Antioquia. SGR - Minciencias - UdeA
Greenhouse effect gases fixation and control of air pollution
Emphasis:
Process development through which, under moderate reaction conditions, noxious and environmentally harmful pollutants are eliminated, and/or where carbon dioxide is used to synthesize chemical products according to national needs.
Current projects: ​​
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Completed projects:
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Yield improvement for the direct synthesis of lineal carbonates from carbon dioxide and alcohols at moderate temperature and pressure conditions through water removal with the use of molecular sieves.
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Fixation of CO2 produced during biomass fermentation through environmentally friendly processes. Agriculture Chancellorship - U. de A.
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Reduction of particulate material and NOx emissions in Sumicol S.A. Colciencias - Sumicol - U. de A.
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Evaluation of the implementation of a system for the simultaneous removal of organochlorine compounds and NOx generated during the incineration of waste. Colciencias - U. de A.
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NH3-SCR over Cu/SSZ-13 in presence of hydrocarbons, U. de A. - Purdue University
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Development of FCC catalysts selective to coke to diminish CO2 emissions in coke regeneration units. Colciencias - U.de A. - ICP
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Syngas production from CO2 rich industrial flue gases via tri-reforming reactions.
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Fixation of CO2 in epoxides of essential oils for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates through heterogeneous catalytic processes. UdeA
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Valorization of methane by direct conversion to methanol using catalysts based on natural clays. UdeA
Valorization of mining, industrial and agricultural waste
Emphasis:
Development of environmentally friendly routes for the synthesis of compounds of interest in the chemical industry, especially fine chemicals, through the heterogeneous catalytic transformation of the main components of essential oils or the valorisation of agro-industrial waste and evaluation through life cycle analysis of the technical, economic and environmental viability of these processes.

Current projects:
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Transformation of monoterpenes through 'one-pot' reactions on heterogeneous catalysts. CODI-UdeA
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Potential and prospects for the use of avocado oil and by-products in Eastern Antioquia. CODI-UdeA
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Alternatives for valorisation of agro-industrial waste derived from the processing of oil palm grown in the Urabá subregion of Antioquia within the framework of the circular economy. CODI-UdeA.
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Completed projects:
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Evaluation of technical and echonomical feasibility of carvone production from limonene using Fe-based catalysts. CODI
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Nopyl acetate production by nopol esterification with acetic acid over Sn-materials on mesoporous supports. Kinetic studies and LVE determination for the quaternary system CODI.
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National Center of Reaserch for Agro-industrialization of Tropical, Medicinal, Aromatic Vegetable Species – CENIVAM. Colciencias - U. de A.
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Oxifuncionalización of essential oils by environmentally friendly routes using heterogeneous catalysts and in the presence of microwave. Colciencias - U de A.
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Transformation of essential oils using gold and silver catalysts. Colciencias, UdeA, CONACYT.
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Bioprospecting and development of natural ingredients for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and cleaning products industries based on Colombian biodiversity. Colciencias – U. de A.
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Isomerization of terpene epoxides by means of heterogeneous catalytic process. Colciencias - U. de A. 
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Synthesis of fine chemistry products from essential oils from Colombian plants through Prins reaction with Sn catalysts. Colciencias - UdeA - UIS.
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Comparative study of nopol synthesis in a continuous flow microreactor and a batch reactor using Sn-MCM-41 as catalyst. UdeA-UPB
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Transformation of Monoterpenes into Value Added Products through One-pot Reactions. Universidad Pontificia Javeriana - UdeA
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Sustainable use of oils for economic valuation.
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Transformation of monoterpenes by one-pot catalytic route with heterogeneous catalysts. Banco de La República, UdeA.
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Geo-catalysis: recovery of ilmenite from mining waste. Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano – ITM – and Empresa Mineros Afluvial S.A.S (February 2022-February 2024).