My name is Chantal Hanegraaf and I live in Heesch. At the moment I am studying Chemistry at Avans Hogeschool in Den Bosch and now I am doing my graduation internship at the Center of Expertise Biobased Economy.
As part of my graduation internship, I am engaged in research into biobased flocculants. In processes such as water purification and paper production, synthetic polyelectrolytes are often used as flocculants, also known as flocculants. These synthetic polyelectrolytes are oil-based, contribute to a higher carbon footprint and have poor biodegradability of the degradation intermediates.
In the Netherlands, water boards also use significant quantities of synthetic polyelectrolytes as flocculants for wastewater treatment. According to literature research, biobased flocculants can be produced from starch (residual) streams that originate, for example, from the potato processing industry. These potato residues also have a positive impact on water treatment, so if these potato residues can be used to produce biobased flocculants, it is a win-win situation.
My research therefore has to do with a possible greener alternative that is beneficial for society. The biobased flocculants are still under development, but hopefully we will be able to contribute.
– June 2021