Juan Manuel Restrepo-Flórez

Assistant Professor University of Florida

Gainesville FL

Juan Manuel Restrepo-Flórez develops optimization-based models and methods to support the design of sustainable chemical processes.

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Biography

Juan Manuel Restrepo-Flórez is an assistant professor of chemical engineering and the leader of the sustainable process design laboratory. He is interested in developing optimization-based models and methods to support the design of a new generation of sustainable chemical processes. In his work, he cares about the design, analysis, and optimization of renewable energy systems; processes that use alternative carbon sources (biomass, CO2, plastic waste, municipal solid waste, etc.); and energy-efficient separations (membranes and adsorption).

Areas of Expertise

Biorefineries

Energy Efficient Separations

Techno-Economic Assessment

Sustainability

Process and Systems Engineering

Optimization

Lifecycle Assessment

Metamaterials

Waste Valorization

Social

Articles

A Superstructure-Based Lignin Valorization Process Optimization Model for Lignocellulosic Biorefineries through Biological Upgrading

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

Yajie Wu, et. al

2024-04-23

This study presents an optimization framework to identify economically viable pathways for lignin valorization in biorefineries that employ biological upgrading. The economic potential for converting lignin from hardwood, softwood, and herbaceous plants into valuable bioproducts is evaluated.

Carbon photochemistry: towards a solar reverse boudouard refinery

Energy & Environmental Science

Camilo J. Viasus Pérez, et. al

2023-12-01

Carbon and carbon dioxide can be concurrently converted using light to carbon monoxide via the reverse-Boudouard reaction. Nevertheless, the reaction's high endothermicity requires the reaction to be conducted at about 900 °C, which presents technical challenges associated with large-scale high-temperature energy-intensive operations.

A systems level analysis of ethanol upgrading strategies to middle distillates

Energy & Environmental Science

Juan-Manuel Restrepo-Flórez, et. al

2022-10-01

We systematically study the upgrading of ethanol toward middle distillates with desired properties. To survey the large design space, we introduce a novel superstructure-based optimization framework integrating process design and fuel formulation. We show that biorefineries that produce middle distillates by upgrading lignocellulosic ethanol can have an energy return on investment (EROI) greater than 1.