Student Profile

Anka RoibuName of student:

Anca Roibu (intern)

Summary Institutes/universities attend and attending:

    • Master studies: Erasmus Mundus Master Programme 'Advanced Spectroscopy in Chemistry' at Lille 1 University (France), Bologna University (Italy) and Leipzig University (Germany) (2012-2014)
    • Bachelor studies: 'Chemistry and Engineering of Organic Compounds, Petrochemistry and Carbochemistry' at University Politehnica of Bucharest (Romania) (2008-2012)

Your current job/employment/research (max 100 words):

Currently, I am an intern at VUAnCh (March-May 2015) and starting with June 2015, I will begin my PhD studies as a Marie Curie Fellow (ESR) at KU Leuven, Belgium (see http://www.photo4future.com/?page_id=5).

Previously, my master thesis was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Roger Gläser in Heterogeneous Catalysis Group (Institute of Chemical Technology, Leipzig) in the field of heterogeneous catalysis for biomass conversion in liquid aqueous phase.

Research carried out at VUAnCh (max 600 words):

The aim of my research is to investigate the catalytic conversion of fatty acids to biofuels. Fatty acids are produced from vegetable and animal oils and fats. Stearic acid was chosen in the current work as model compound and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) as method for oxygen removal. The research implied preparation, characterization and testing of supported catalysts in stearic acid conversion. My focus is to identify the suitable operating conditions and noble metal-free catalyst active for production of n alkanes, with a high selectivity for hydrogenation/dehydration and low selectivity for hydrocracking reactions.

Valuable skills and experience gained from working with VUAnCh (max 200 words):

At VUAnCh, I had the opportunity of being involved in the preliminary stages of a research project. This allowed me to learn the methodology of working at a new research topic and how to deal with unpredicted challenges. In addition, I acquired practical experience in working with autoclave at high temperatures (e.g., 350 °C) and pressures (e.g., 20 bar) and in analysing liquid and gas products by gas chromatography (GC). Even the stay was short, I had the chance of being introduced to the work culture of VUAnCh, a non-academic research environment.

Mission and Goals

Unipetrol Centre for Research and Education, a.s. is an independent legal entity whose primary mission is to research activities and provide support to the chemical industry in areas which are defined in our research program.

The main goals of UniCRE include:

  • Obtaining grants at the national level for the individual research programs in the priority areas of research UniCRE.
  • Integration into European structures, promotion of science, research and development and win support for priority projects of individual research areas UniCRE.
  • Deepening cooperation with academic institutions such as The University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně in Ústí nad Labem, Pardubice University or The Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Science, v.v..
  • Active involvement in organizations supporting applied research and collaboration with industry, both within the region and at the national and European level.

Offer of Collaboration with Industry

UniCRE company offers quality knowledge and instrumental platform for refinery-petrochemical industry, as well as for implementation of new technologies in area of renewable energy sources and environmental protection, including perfectly equipped experimental centre and highly qualified analytical hinterland.

Offer of Collaboration with Research Institutions

UniCRE centre collaborates and offers collaboration with other research institutes at handling of projects in the framework of national and international grants and contracts.

 

 

Offer of Collaboration with Students

UniCRE company offers bilaterally profitable collaboration with czech and foreign students of master and postgradual degree. Currently it collaborates with universities (for example Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague, University of Pardubice) and with prominent workplaces of Academy of Sciences in Czech Republic (UCHP, UFCH JH).

Offer of Renting Conference RoomsOffer of Renting Conference Rooms

UniCRE company offers to rent the conference rooms in Chempark Záluží and Ústí nad Labem locations. All rooms are equipped with the presentation equipment. Arrangement of tables and chairs in the individual rooms can be changed according to customer needs. We will arrange a flipchart or presenter on request.