About 01

On March 30, 2012, the Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute merged with the Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications to establish the Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI).

Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute, a non-profit research and technological development (RTD) organization was founded in 1985 in Thessaloniki, Greece. From 1987 to March 2000, Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute was a member of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), headquartered in the island of Crete.

In March 2000, Chemical Process Engineering Research Institute became a founding member of a new research center, the Center for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), established in Thessaloniki and administered by the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRT) of the then Ministry of Development & Investment.

The European Commission and GSRT have supported the initial development of CPERI’s facilities and infrastructure through several regional structural grants. The development strategy of CPERI has been based on establishing strategic collaborations with leading international industrial corporations, developing strong links with Research Centers and Universities, and contributing to the training of young scientists and engineers in state-of-the-art technologies. Acting as a catalyst of regional development CPERI is also consistently pursuing strong interactions and collaborations with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greece.

CPERI at a glance

Foundation Year

Locations

Employees

Competitive Grants
(million € per year)

Publications
(per year)

Citations

Collaborations

Equipment
(million €)

Mission
& Scientific Identity

CPERI/CERTH’s mission is to conduct high caliber basic and applied research, to develop novel technologies and products and to pursue scientific and technological excellence in selected advanced areas of Chemical Engineering, including Clean Energy, Environment and Climate, Sustainable Industry and Bioengineering, in response to the needs of the Greek and European industrial and productive sector.

CPERI is a fast-growing research entity that has developed and is promoting state-of-the-art technologies for low-carbon energy production and environmentally friendly processes. Its expertise and infrastructure allow research and development actions and support demonstration and innovation activities, aiming to their effective and sustainable market uptake.

Scientific directions and thematic priorities

CPERI is pursuing scientific and technological excellence in specific areas of Clean Energy, Climate and Environment, Sustainable Industry and Bioengineering/Biomedicine, Material Technology, Processes and Simulation/Modelling are the main horizontal tools in conducting basic and applied research and developing pioneering technologies and innovative products.

CPERI’s research activities develop and promote modern technologies for the low-carbon production, storage and capture of energy and novel technologies for natural resource management, pollution, environmental protection and health. The activity of CPERI around the development of new Materials and Processes with applications in energy, environment, circular economy and health is also instrumental.

Hence, the thematic priorities of CPERI are supporting its placement as the “Low Carbon Economy Technologies Institute”, and can be summarised as follows:

Deep Decarbonization of Energy-Intensive Industries and Long-Distance Transportation through the Development of Novel Zero/Low Carbon Fuels and Chemicals and Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization.
Energy Transition of energy intensive industry and transport to sustainable energy, fuels and chemicals production.
Hydrogen production technologies.
Membrane materials development with applications including but not limited to fuel production, energy-related processes and bio-engineering, biotechnology pre-and post-treatment processes, advanced oxidation processes, targeting to increase sustainability and promote circular economy concepts in bio-based production of fuels and materials.
Development of biomaterials with application in the health sector.
Circular economy concepts.

Research Directions

Clean Energy

Climate & Environment

Sustainable Industry

Biotechnology / Biomedicine

Clean Energy

Deep Decarbonization of Energy- Intensive Industries Energy storage technologies
Development of Novel Zero/Low Carbon Fuels and Chemicals
Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization
Applications of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen technologies

Metrics

Balomenou Stella
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Bezergianni Stella
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Iatridis Demetrios
Operating Scientist Grade A’
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Iliopoulou Eleni
Associate Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Kaldis Sotirios
Associate Scientist
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Karagiannakis George
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Koukouzas Nikolaos
Research Director
Geologist, PhD

Nikolopoulos Nikolaos
Research Director
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Panopoulos Kyriakos
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Papadopoulos Athanasios
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Rakopoulos Dimitrios
Principal Researcher
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Skevis George
Principal Researcher
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Tsimpanogiannis Ioannis
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Vasalos Iacovos
Professor, Researcher Emeritus

Voutetakis Spyros
Director of CPERI
Chemical Engineer, PhD

The first scientific area of interest aims to exploit synergies within CPERI researchers and CERTH Institutes to provide holistic approaches to key technological thematic priorities, making them mature for industrial exploitation. These priorities aim at promoting innovative products for sustainable energy, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient power generation, industry and transportation in line with the principles of circular economy and industrial symbiosis. Fossil fuels will remain a major energy source for the power and process industries and long-distance transportation. Decarbonization of energy-intensive industries and hard-to-electrify systems and processes can be accomplished by switching to low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels and integrating post-combustion carbon capture utilization and storage (CCS) in existing systems and processes. CCS combined with plant operation on zero-carbon fuels (incl. biofuels) is one of the few alternatives for Net Zero Carbon Emissions.

Deep Decarbonization of Energy-Intensive Industries

Solar thermochemistry/process heat generation is one thematic priority of CPERI’s Clean Energy Direction. The use of high-temperature heat to drive chemical reactions efficiently is an attractive concept. Its potential applicability is wide enough to cover an extensive range of industrially relevant processes and products. It can contribute to the production of zero-carbon footprint energy carriers (e.g. solar fuels, thermochemical energy storage), and be exploited towards high temperature treatment of industrial processes (e.g. cement-making process and calcination of carbonated minerals) or it can simply provide high temperature working fluids for the provision of heat. The contribution of this priority towards deep decarbonization is straightforward as it can replace current conventional thermochemical processes (e.g. combustion, reforming) for the generation of heat or fuels/chemicals. Moreover, Ceramic materials (mainly based on metal oxides) in a structured state (e.g. macro-scale particles, honeycombs, lattice structures) suitable for high temperature solar-aided thermochemical processes & associated reactor designs for coupling chemical potential with the solar-thermal part.

Among energy-intensive industries, the maritime industry faces a unique challenge as currently enforced, and forthcoming stringent emission and generally environmental regulations are transforming the ship powerplant by introducing a complete chemical plant including emissions mitigation and control. This must be dynamically coupled with the main propulsion and power generating modules (increasingly operated with alternative fuels) and the overall ship design. The maritime sector is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation towards adopting energy-efficient technologies, deep decarbonization and digitalization.

Development of Novel Zero/Low Carbon Fuels and Chemicals

The production and processing of low-carbon and zero-carbon-fuels require advances in key technologies, including hydroprocessing, methanation and hydrothermal liquefaction.

Catalytic processes are developed concerning hydroprocessing and hydrothermal liquefaction, pyrolysis of biomass that contribute to the production of low carbon transportation fuels and high-added value biochemicals. This leads to processes of sustainable fuels production from municipal, agricultural, forestry, and industrial wastes and bio-based sources not competing with food or feed such as micro-algae, macro-algae, and energy crops. Further that the exploitation of waste streams (CO₂, plastics, organic wastes, end of life tires etc.) for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals via catalytic technologies lead to the concepts of circular economy and smart cities and neighbourhood networks with a positive energy balance and a low environmental footprint. Additionally, optimal commercial catalytic processes are developed to produce biochemicals from various hydrolysates (fermentation broths, hydrolysates from biomass pretreatment technologies etc).

Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization

The production and energy use lead to the imperative need for energy storage and respective energy management technologies. This activity involves developing cyclic chemical looping processes that lead to new innovative energy production and storage technologies with low or near-zero environmental footprint. Additionally, the modification of membrane ceramic, polymeric, metallic, mixed matrix) materials and solvents for gas separation applications emphasise the greening of existing industrial processes.

Process intensification for the efficient conversion of CO₂ to high-added value products and catalytic processes has also developed technologies for carbon capture and utilization and the development of novel combustion concepts utilizing alternative, low-carbon and non-carbon fuels.

Applications of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen technologies

Applications of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen technologies are becoming core field of research, scheduled for pilot scale realization in CPERI premises. A Hydrogen-hub, is developed and supported by Regional Authorities and the Greek Just Transition Mechanism, in the region of Ptolemaida. Special attention is given on alternative fuels, especially the market uptake of solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels with advanced supply chains for the sustainable utilization of biomass potential and related market development, the feasibility of biorefineries and the enhancement of renewables share in the power and industrial sectors.

Hydrogen production and utilization is a unique, highly developed activity in many of CPERI’s active research. Intensive research is performed in Polymer Electrolyte (Proton Exchange Polymer Electrolyte (Proton Exchange) fuel cells as well as electrolysis cells both Membrane (PEM) and Solid Oxide (SOFC) technologies.

The above activities are supported by multiscale modeling for simulation and optimisation of advanced energy systems and reactors. Furthermore, networks for electricity with activities relevant to grid energy modeling and exchanges know-how mainly on the level of Power Sector and that of Alternative Fuels production and cooling / heating systems.

Climate & Environment

Clean Transport / Electrification of the Transport System
Environmental Technologies
Water and waste-water management

Metrics

Balomenou Stella
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Iliopoulou Eleni
Associate Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Karagiannakis George
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Koukouzas Nikolaos
Research Director
Geologist, PhD

Nikolopoulos Nikolaos
Research Director
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Panopoulos Kyriakos
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Papadopoulos Athanasios
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Plakas Konstantinos
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Rakopoulos Dimitrios
Principal Researcher
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Skevis George
Principal Researcher
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Tsimpanogiannis Ioannis
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Voutetakis Spyros
Director of CPERI
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Zaspalis Vassilios
Professor
AUTH, Chemical Engineering Dept.

Energy storage, clean (green, blue) energy carriers and renewable fuels have been identified as indispensable components for paving the way for a sustainable transition of the European Energy and Transport Sectors. These technologies formulate the core of the Green Deal and can largely secure effective and efficient achievements within the 2030 climate and energy targets of the EU and its Member States, as described in the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Clean Transport / Electrification of the Transport System

CPERI will accelerate product development and introduction of low/zero CO₂ technologies in automotive applications (e.g. fuel technologies and low / zero CO₂ engines (mixed combustion engines,hybrid engines, hydrogen engines, fuel cells, electric motors) and environmentally-friendly mobility technologies. CPERI priorities focus on further development of emission control technologies for conventional vehicles, the development of hybrids, and retrofit emission control technologies for vehicles. The measurement and characterisation of automotive emissions from light and heavy-duty engine vehicles and the development of gas and particle sensing systems for the exhaust line and test bench for gasoline engines are performed in CPERI premises.

Recently, the European Commission has re-emphasized the 2050 goal and expressed the expectation that transport should “be firmly on the path towards zero” by then. Furthermore, the use of electricity in transport is expected to contribute significantly to the security of the energy supply. The National Electricity Transfer Plan is set to promote electromobility in the country. For this purpose, CPERI is started to study and concentrate on developing and characterising active materials for next-generation Li-ion, high capacity/voltage, and solid-state batteries, mainly for automotive applications. Also, the standardization of tailored materials and components for electrochemical technologies, tailored processes and systems as integrated solutions (Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, Li-ion Batteries) is of great importance.

Environmental Technologies

CPERI emphasizes designing/optimising catalytic materials for environmental technologies to decrease the atmospheric pollutants produced during utilisation of fossil fuels and, more specifically, reduce SOx, NOx and CO emissions from the flue gases of FCC unit regenerators.

To improve air quality, the development of innovative materials that reduce air pollutants (CH₄, NOx, N₂O, SOx, CO), bind CO₂, and favour the hydrogen production reactions and H₂O thermochemical decomposition are of high priority. More effort will be allocated to monitor the ambient air quality in stationary and mobile facilities.

One other priority of this stratefic direction is to assess the effect of climate change and extreme weather events, build a more resilient infrastructure specifically related to earth structures and improve the response capability and capacity to severe weather and geological events.

Water and waste-water management

CPERI exploits the potential benefits of membrane technology in environmental applications, particularly in Wastewater treatment and reuse. Novel membrane materials are developed for niche (yet important) market sectors including chemical industries (e.g. solvents nanofiltration), biorefineries (separation/purification of valuable fraction from harsh liquid streams), and advanced oxidation of persistent (mainly organic) pollutants.

Particular emphasis in CPERI is given to developing desalination technologies. The three new technologies being applied are forward osmosis, electrodialysis and capacitive deionization. Forward osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane, while osmotic pressure is the main driving force of the process. The method’s main advantages are the low energy requirements and the limited phenomena of membrane pollution. Electrodialysis is an electrochemical process of removing ions or ionic substances from water or other liquids.

Sustainable Industry

Just Transition Development Plan in Ptolemais
Circular Economy
Polymers production and characterization

Metrics

Alexopoulos Alexandros
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Balomenou Stella
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Giannakopoulos Dionysios
Principal Researcher
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Grammelis Panagiotis
Research Director
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Kammona Olga
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Karabelas Anastasios
Professor, Researcher Emeritus

Karagiannakis George
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Kiparissides Costas
Professor Emeritus

Lappas Angelos
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Panopoulos Kyriakos
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Papadopoulos Athanasios
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Pladis Prokopios
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Plakas Konstantinos
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Skevis George
Principal Researcher
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

Tsimpanogiannis Ioannis
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Voutetakis Spyros
Director of CPERI
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Sustainable development enables the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services on which the economy and society depend. On that basis CPERI is active in promoting fair transition to the post-lignite era affecting the local economies as well as circular economy principles to industrial and urban environments.

Just Transition Development Plan in Ptolemais

The Greek government has set a goal of withdrawing all lignite plants by 2028, with an immediate target of over 80% of the current installed capacity being withdrawn by 2023. The purpose of complete decarbonization of the country is reflected in the NECP, which ensures the stability of the electrical system and the energy security of the country, and is in line with the European Climate Neutrality Strategy, which, among other things, provides for the elimination of clean greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In line with the abovementioned, CPERI emphasises the part related to soil remediation of inactive lignite mining fields and is actively involved in the development of various strategies for the development of old mines to improve both the ecosystem of the area and the development of the local economy with multiple benefits for society. The development of new energy schemes for i) meeting the heating/cooling needs and ii) utilizing the existing district heating infrastructure is an essential field of action to support the energy transition and sustainable development and to create a new model of growth and economy of areas. Also, CPERI focuses on implementing strategic technologies to utilise and reuse the captured carbon dioxide to produce high-value synthetic fuels and materials. Also, it is actively involved in the development of innovative techniques for the restoration of ecosystems, especially concerning affected areas, such as lignite mines, to be reclaimed in an environment-friendly way.

Circular Economy

Reusing treated urban or industrial wastewater is a rational water resources management tool. It presents inherent benefits related to water resources savings, environmental protection, and economic benefits. In order to meet the minimum requirements set by the existing institutional framework covering the reuse of recovered water, the adoption of innovative practices and technologies is required. CPERI has developed advanced hybrid biological methods with membranes (Membrane Bio-Reactors, MBR, aerobic/anaerobic).
The integrated waste management of the agri-livestock sector and the food industry includes the application of appropriate technologies that will enable the efficient recovery of valuable and high value-added components, which can be raw materials for the industry of fertilizers, medicines, foodstuffs. Application of advanced hybrid processes based on membrane technology in order to reduce the consumption of natural resources and energy consumption. The reuse of water currents, after proper treatment, in the production process contributes significantly to the reduction of water consumption while reducing the required electricity. The proposed approach is part of adopting circular economy principles. Moreover, CPERI is active in designing and developing integrated waste management projects within the circular economy framework, focusing on technologies in the fields of recycling/upcycling and energy conversion. In addition, the group supports industrial entities in order to develop their sustainability reports based on a life cycle analysis approach. Finally, more effort is to be given to advanced toxic wastewater treatment processes.

Biotechnology / Biomedicine

Development of biomaterials with application in the Health sector
Advanced hybrid biotechnological applications
Biosensors / Biodevices
Biochemical Process Design for Energy, Materials and Environmental Applications

Metrics

Alexopoulos Alexandros
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Kammona Olga
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Karabelas Anastasios
Professor, Researcher Emeritus

Kiparissides Costas
Professor Emeritus

Lappas Angelos
Research Director
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Ouzounis Christos
Professor
AUTH, Biology Dept.

Pladis Prokopios
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

Plakas Konstantinos
Principal Researcher
Chemical Engineer, PhD

This scientific area of interest aims to exploit synergies within CPERI researchers, INAB Institute of CERTH and other acadmic and research organizations towards developing new processes and materials for bioengineering and biotechnology applications.

Development of biomaterials with application in the Health sector

Solar thermochemistry/process heat generation is one thematic priority of CPERI’s Clean Energy Direction. The use of high-temperature heat to drive chemical reactions efficiently is an attractive concept. Its potential applicability is wide enough to cover an extensive range of industrially relevant processes and products. It can contribute to the production of zero-carbon footprint energy carriers (e.g. solar fuels, thermochemical energy storage), and be exploited towards high temperature treatment of industrial processes (e.g. cement-making process and calcination of carbonated minerals) or it can simply provide high temperature working fluids for the provision of heat. The contribution of this priority towards deep decarbonization is straightforward as it can replace current conventional thermochemical processes (e.g. combustion, reforming) for the generation of heat or fuels/chemicals. Moreover, Ceramic materials (mainly based on metal oxides) in a structured state (e.g. macro-scale particles, honeycombs, lattice structures) suitable for high temperature solar-aided thermochemical processes & associated reactor designs for coupling chemical potential with the solar-thermal part.

Among energy-intensive industries, the maritime industry faces a unique challenge as currently enforced, and forthcoming stringent emission and generally environmental regulations are transforming the ship powerplant by introducing a complete chemical plant including emissions mitigation and control. This must be dynamically coupled with the main propulsion and power generating modules (increasingly operated with alternative fuels) and the overall ship design. The maritime sector is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation towards adopting energy-efficient technologies, deep decarbonization and digitalization.

Biochemical Process Design for Energy, Materials and Environmental Applications

A thematic area that CPERI carries out is dealing with the experimental designing and model-based optimisation of (photo)-bioreactors and fermenters for optimised cultivation profiles of microalgae, bacteria and yeast. Also, an intensification of bioprocesses for sustainable bioconversion of solid residues (e.g. lignocellulosic biomass), liquid wastes (e.g. food wastes) and gaseous effluents (e.g. CO₂) via microalgae and microbial consortia, is prioritised. Production of high-added value biochemicals (e.g. proteins, pigments), biodegradable polymers and biofuels (e.g. biodiesel, bioethanol) in advanced 2nd and 3rd generation biorefineries, is also achieved. Additionally, CPERI combines material production and physico-chemical characterisation methods with agricultural applications and biological studies, considering the dominant agri-food and minerals (e.g. magnesite, olivine) in Central Macedonia (CERTH’s region).

Advanced hybrid biotechnological applications

CPERI emphasises the development of hybrid biotechnological processes of membranes (Membrane Fermenter) using improved and/or genetically modified microorganisms (in close collaboration with INAB) for the biotechnological production and separation/purification/concentration of organic substances, enzymes and biomolecules of high value (e.g., lipases, biolipids) with essential applications in specialised fields (niche applications).

Biosensors / Biodevices

A crucial priority for CPERI is to improve the efficiency of the dialyzer membranes used and the dialysis conditions, to minimise the duration of a dialysis session, while maximising the removal of toxic components accumulated in the dialysis. CPERI has developed a haemodialysis unit to study and optimize the mass transfer phenomena and dialysate utilization.

About 01

CPERI at a glance

Foundation Year

Locations

Employees

Competitive Grants (million € per year)

Publications(per year)

Citations

Collaborations

Equipment (million €)

Mission & Scientific Identity

Scientific directions and thematic priorities

Research Directions

Clean Energy

Climate & Environment

Sustainable Industry

Biotechnology / Biomedicine

Quick Links

Thessaloniki

Ptolemaida

Athens

Competitive Grants
(million € per year)

Publications
(per year)

Equipment
(million €)

Mission
& Scientific Identity