Separation technologies
In the biorefinery lab, separation processes can be developed on a laboratory and pilot scale. Parameter studies and process optimisations can be carried out on a small scale with small amounts of feedstock. Samples can be prepared at pilot plants and experience can be gained with equipment in continuous and near-industrial operating environments.
Screw separator
Dewatering of digestate, pulp suspensions and other
coarse, cake-forming biomass suspensions
- Throughput: 0,1 — 1,5 m³ h-1
- Range of sieves: 150 — 1000 micron
Decanter centrifuge
Continuous separation of fine particles from suspensions
- Throughput: 1 — 100 kg h-1
- Centrifugal accelaration up to 4000 x g
- Online measurement of all mass and energy streams
Filter press
Dewatering of sludges
- Up to 12 bar
- Filtration area: 6 m²
- Volume per batch: 75 L
Membrane filtration
Different cross-flow filtration units for microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis in different sizes:
- Polymeric flat sheet membranes
- Spiral wound membranes
- Ceramic membranes
Dead-end membrane filtration for membrane screening and characterization
Forward osmosis test unit for gentle and energy-saving dewatering
- Flat sheet membranes
- Membrane area: 42 cm²
- Online conductivity measurement
Liquid-liquid extraction
Stirred, countercurrent extraction column for separating organic
products from aqueous phases
- Ø = 35 mm
- L = 160 cm
- Feedtank = 20 L
- T < 60°C
Thin film evaporation
Fully automatic evaporator suitable for continuous operation and separating heat sensitive products by evaporation
- Operating temperature: + 20°C to + 300°C
- Pressure range: 0.1 mbar — 1.1 mbar
- Throughput: 0.1 — 6 L h-1
Adsorption columns
Adsorption columns in different diameters, suitable for example
for the removal of lignin from wood hydrolysates
- Ø = 2,5 cm for adsorbent screenings etc.
- Ø = 10 cm for sample preparation and pilot scale experiments
- Online measurements in preparation
Preparative chromatography
High performance liquid chromatography for separation and fractionation of biobased products with very similar physico-chemical properties
- Fractionation of sugars and carboxylic acids