GCRF_NF411 Effective point-of-use STERilisation of medical equipment using Ethylene Oxide (STEREO)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
The project addresses the needs of effective chemical sterilisation that is essential to manage virus spread and in everyday healthcare. Currently, the most effective sterilisation can be performed with ethylene oxide, a chemical that is not available in Botswana or South Africa, or many other African countries. We propose a new process for producing ethylene oxide for the most effective sterilisation, aiming for equal access to high-level healthcare in DAC-list countries. The process will use inexpensive and widely available ethanol as a starting substrate. Our research goal is to demonstrate ethylene oxide production at the rates and in quantity needed for 1 m3 of stand-alone sterilisation units.
Publications
Gebers J
(2022)
How does the oxidation and reduction time affect the chemical looping epoxidation of ethylene?
in Discover Chemical Engineering
Harrison A
(2022)
Selective formation of propan-1-ol from propylene via a chemical looping approach
in Reaction Chemistry & Engineering
Harrison ARP
(2023)
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Enhancement of Low-Temperature Oxygen Release from Strontium Ferrite Perovskites Modified with Ag and CeO2.
in Energy & fuels : an American Chemical Society journal
| Description | We are looking at two reactions: (1) dehydration of ethanol to ethylene, (2) epoxidation of ethylene, aiming to combine them for developing a new system for sterilisation of medical equipment. So far, we have a build a theoretical model which led to the following key findings: (a) in the considered setup and conditions, reaction (1) is insensitive to the type of catalyst and can be run on an inexpensive alumina catalyst. (b) our novel reaction (2) for producing epoxides has the potential to be more selective than the incumbent reaction, which indicates the further potential of the proposed technology. (c) techno-economic analysis of two combined reactions indicates that our proposed sterilisation system (to be developed) should be substantially less costly than commercial sterilisation units. The system could provide sterilisation at highly competitive prices and without the need to handle hazardous gases, which will make it ideal for use in rural and developing areas. |
| Exploitation Route | Our findings indicate that on-demand production of sterilising gases might be highly attractive from economic and safety perspectives. This may be interesting to the sectors marked below. And can prompt interesting stakeholders to get in touch and consider small-scale sterilisation units combined with the production of sterilising gases. Beyond sterilisation, those finding will also be interesting and meaningful for the chemical industry, specifically if looking for economically attractive CO2-neutral production of chemicals. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Travel grants |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | D22-2121821262 |
| Organisation | Royal Society of Chemistry |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2022 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Title | Computational models of reactors facilitating ethylene oxide production |
| Description | The production of ethylene and, subsequently, ethylene oxide in packed-bed reactors was modelled and simulated in OpenModelica. Two individuals reactors were modelled. The first described the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene in a packed bed, considering zeolite- and alumina-based catalysts. The second described the selective oxidation, epoxidation, of ethylene to ethylene oxide in a chemical looping setup. The reactor models were simplified to be one-dimensional, considering transient flows, axial mass and heat dispersion, and intraparticle mass transfer effects. The individual reactor models were combined, with the dehydration reactor product, namely ethylene, serving as the feed to the epoxidation reactor. The effects of various intermediate processes, such as gas drying and re-heating, were considered. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The reactor models were used to investigate the sensitivity of the process to various operating parameters, such as temperature, pressure, reactant concentrations and inlet flow rate. The findings from this sensitivity analysis were used to find feasible operating conditions for the dehydration and selective oxidation, epoxidation, reaction processes. A set of process conditions capable of producing ethylene oxide at recommended sterilising concentrations were defined. The reaction models were also used to conduct a techno-economic analysis on a proposed ethylene oxide production system, comparing it to current ethylene oxide sterilisation options. The models provided great insight into the future design of the ethylene oxide production system and will be a useful tool for planning future experimental work. |
| Title | Data for "How does the oxidation and reduction time affect the chemical looping epoxidation of ethylene?" |
| Description | Data divided into folders accordingly to each published figure. Containing data from experiments in a packed bed, measured with an FTIR, as well as material characterisation (XRD and SEM) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Data set accompanying publication |
| URL | https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/336986 |
| Description | Partnership with GR2L - Gas Recovery and Recycle |
| Organisation | Gas Recovery and Recycle Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | None. GR2L, as a project partner, provides consultation and advice to the main collaborators. |
| Collaborator Contribution | GR2L participates in STEREO project meetings, providing recommendations and insight on the project progress and future areas of work. GR2L has also provided consultation to our collaborators on the design of equipment. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Southern African STEREO collaboration |
| Organisation | Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation |
| Country | Botswana |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We have disseminated knowledge of the chemical-looping approach for ethylene epoxidation to the collaboration, as well as provided catalytic material to our collaborators. We have also shared our initial findings from the modelling and simulation work performed on the ethylene oxide production process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UJ has provided us with catalytic material for the dehydration process, in addition to providing expertise on the process. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Southern African STEREO collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Johannesburg |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have disseminated knowledge of the chemical-looping approach for ethylene epoxidation to the collaboration, as well as provided catalytic material to our collaborators. We have also shared our initial findings from the modelling and simulation work performed on the ethylene oxide production process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UJ has provided us with catalytic material for the dehydration process, in addition to providing expertise on the process. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | A talk at the Davidson Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk to a diverse audience, followed by a networking session and discussion |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ceb.cam.ac.uk/events/davidson-symposium-2022 |
| Description | Presentation at University College London ChemEngDayUK 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The STEREO project and its current key findings were presented at the UCL ChemEngDayUK 2022, under the title: "Point-of-use production of ethylene oxide (EO) from bioethanol for improved healthcare in low-income areas". A short oral presentation was given as well as a poster presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemical-engineering/chemengdayuk-2022 |
| Description | Presentation at the Singapore Catalysis Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dissemination of the results in the annual Catalysis Meeting in Singapore, attended by about 50 people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://singaporecatalysisforum2022.weebly.com/ |
| Description | Presentation to COVID-19 Global South group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We presented the scope and aims of the project in a COVID-19 Global South group's meeting to 81 invited attendees. We had a lively discussion afterwards, with insightful comments. We connected with a few academics from the areas where we lack expertise (medical research), and we will reach out to them in the later stages of the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | STEREO listed as a COVID-19 Ongoing projects - welcoming collaboration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Summary of STEREO and its goals are described, providing contact details to the project PI and welcoming collaborations. The website showcases the main Cambridge projects tackling global challenges, supporting collaborations and attracting donations. No direct impacts have been recorded yet. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.gci.cam.ac.uk/cambridges-response-covid-19-oda-target-countries/ongoing-projects-welcomi... |