CBIO Aarhus University Centre for Circular Bioeconomy

Aarhus Universitets segl

UNIQUE CHAIN OF FACILITIES

The most important aspect of CBIO is our wold-wide unique chain of technology platforms and facilities, provided by Aarhus University. They are used to implement commercial pilot projects in collaboration with industry. Below, you can explore all the facilities.

Luftfoto fra sommeren 2011 af Foulum

ALL FACILITIES

BCE facilities

Anaerobic digestion platform

The world's largest research facility for biogas and manure separation is located at AU Foulum. It is dedicated to researching technologies for the management and treatment of animal manure, from its production in livestock to its application in crops. This includes studies on manure separation technologies and biogas production from both manure and energy crops.

Address: Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Henrik Bjarne Møller ​​​​​​​

BCE facilities

Hydrothermal processing platform

Hydrothermal conversion of biomass into crude oil and chemical components. It is designed and built a pilot plant for the hydrothermal conversion of biomass into chemicals or fuels that can be mixed with or replace motor fuels. The process is popularly known as HTL (hydrothermal liquefaction). The process yields a viscous oil that can be refined into diesel and other products.

Address: Blichers Alle 20, building L38, 8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Patrick Biller  

BCE facilities

Biomass combustion lab

Optimization of efficiency and emissions in biomass-fired systems is crucial as straw, energy crops, and other types of biomass are increasingly used for heat production. To support the testing and development of biofuel boilers, AU Foulum established the biofuels laboratory. The lab's main goal is to boost small biofuel plant efficiency and cut harmful emissions.

Address: Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Erik Fløjgaard Kristensen

BCE facilities

Biomethanation

A key technology for maximizing carbon utilization in biomass is methanation, which converts CO2 in biogas into methane (CH4). This process boosts the amount of usable methane from biogas. A chemical catalytic methanation platform, which uses chemical reactions to achieve this conversion, has been established at the biogas plant, and a similar platform for biomethanation, using biological methods, is under construction.

Address: Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed

BCE facilities

Green Biorefinery demonstration platform

This unique pilot plant focuses on extracting protein from green biomass for feed and food applications. It has consistently delivered valuable data and cutting-edge results in green biorefinery technology. The platform is dedicated to developing commercially viable solutions, setting new standards in the field. There is a huge potential for growing more perennial green crops with significant environmental advantages.

Address: Blichers Alle 20, building L38, 8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Morten Ambye-Jensen 

BCE facilities

P2X pilot technology platform

The Power-to-X test facility runs within biological and chemical energy conversion technology, with special emphasis on different power-to-x technologies. The facility hosts experimental facilities of different scale, ranging from lab scale to several pilot scale facilities, enabling research into upscaling of chemical and biological processes. The site's flexible utilities allow easy integration of technologies for independent testing.

Address: Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Morten Ambye-Jensen 

BCE facilities

Biofilter for odor abatement

In November 2020, we introduced a full-scale research biofilter to help reduce odors during biogas production. This biofilter is designed to develop and test new ways to control odors. Biogenic, fossil-free biogas and natural gas, made from organic waste, are important sources of fossil-free energy. However, the process of creating this gas can produce unpleasant smells. Our biofilter aims to tackle these odors, making biogas production cleaner and more sustainable.
 

Address: Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele

Contact for collaboration: Morten Ambye-Jensen 

ECOS facilities

Offshore facility for cultivating macroalgae

The facility is dedicated to industrial-scale research and development in macroalgae production. It aims to enhance cost-effectiveness and assess environmental impacts. In collaboration with authorities, the research covers areas including cultivation and harvesting technologies, optimizing biomass yield and quality, evaluating environmental effects and improving transportation. (Currently out of service)
 

Located in the Kattegat off Grenaa

Contact: Annette Bruhn

ECOS facilities

Land-based facility for cultivating macroalgae

As part of AlgaeCenter Denmark, a land-based facility for cultivating and testing macroalgae for yield and quality has been established. Located at the harbor in Grenaa, the facility receives fresh filtered seawater through the Kattegatcenter's intake and filtration system. It consists of 12 tanks, each 2 m², arranged in two independent rows of 6 parallel-connected tanks. The facility can operate with both flow-through and recirculated water systems. (Currently out of service)

Address: Færgevej 4. DK-8500 Grenaa

Contact: Annette Bruhn

ANIVET facilities

Biological platforms for nutritional evaluation

Aarhus University offers a range of well-established biological platforms for the evaluation of nutritional value. These include facilities for studies on laboratory animals, fistulated and intact pigs and cows, as well as laying hens. In addition to assessing nutritional quality, these platforms enable research into the impact of various products on the quality of animal-derived products such as meat, milk, and eggs.

Lokated several places

Contact: Søren Krogh Jensen

FOOD facilities

Platform for compound analysis

Aarhus University offers advanced platforms for analyzing compounds in proteins and biomass-derived ingredients. The platforms enable a deeper and more comprehensive characterization of the constituents of raw materials. This is significant because proteins and ingredients extracted from biomass can contain various substances that can have both positive and negative effects on the quality of raw materials for both monogastric and ruminant animals.

Contact: Trine Kastrup Dalsgaard

FOOD facilities

Green biomass for food

Aarhus University has a range of well-established biological platforms for evaluating nutritional value, and research on food and ingredients. These include facilities for studies involving laboratory animals, fistulated and intact pigs and cows, as well as laying hens. In addition to assessing nutritional quality, these platforms also allow for investigations into how the products impact the quality of the resulting animal products—meat, milk, and eggs.

Contact: Trine Kastrup Dalsgaard

 

AGRO facilities

Technology and smart management

The platform utilizes large agricultural and natural areas for biomass harvest, where harvesting and transport drive significant costs. It supports research into using biomass for energy, fertilizers, and bio-refined materials, while developing sustainable management technologies. This includes testing methods like paludiculture, mapping biomass with satellite data, handling wetland areas, and optimizing logistics from field to biorefinery.

Contact: Kiril Manevski

 

 

RECENT INTERDISCIPLINARY CBIO PROJECTS WITH EXTERNAL PARTNERS

Revideret 04.10.2024