Chemical Process Engineering
"New" raw materials and changed boundary condition...
'New' raw materials and changed boundary conditions are therefore demanding experimental and theoretical optimisation of fundamentally known reactors and process chains. Such research into BtL (Biomass-to-Liquid) synthesis and into pstream and downstream subprocesses forms the focus of the Department's work. In parallel, research is being carried out into new-style systems for the conversion of primary energy. Of particular note in this respect are high-temperature fuel cells such as the SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell). The performance capability of the available fuel cell stacks is steadily increasing, so that the latest work being carried out by the Department is aimed at delivering the required fuel gas (such as by way of a reformer) and at integrating all components to create an efficient overall system.
Activities are not restricted to optimising the main chemical reaction on which attentions are currently focused. Research is also being carried out into emission cleaning systems particularly particle separation.
The Department operates complex pilot plants to assist in its R&D activities:
- Pilot plants for high-pressure syntheses, such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, SNG synthesis and hydroprocessing
- Test rig for reformer development (partial oxidation, autothermal reforming, steam/dry reforming)
- Test rig for research into SOFC fuel cells and system components
- Motor test rig with miniature dilution tunnel and instrumentation for particle measurement
These test facilities also incorporate online and offline analysis methods for the characterisation of gases and particles, as well as laboratory apparatus to determine reaction kinetics.
Future work will also be targeted at achieving efficient material and energy conversion, both by means of basic optimisation of subprocesses and by system integration.
Research fields on an international scale:
- Fuels from renewable and fossil energy sources
- Conversion of biogas, synthesis gas and production of hydrogen
- Fuel cell components and systems engineering
- Gas treatment and purification
- Emission reduction techniques for alternative and conventional vehicle drive concepts
- Upgrading of hydrocarbon fractions (hydrotreatment, isomerisation, etc.)
Technical equipment and systems
- Pilot plant for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
- Pilot plant for two-stage Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (under construction)
- Pilot plant for SNG synthesis
- Pilot plant for hydrotreatment
- Reformer and gas treatment test rig
- High-temperature fuel cell test rig
- Motor test rig
- Other equipment and instrumentation
- Miniature dilution tunnel
- Various systems for determining particulate size
- Instrumentation for determining specific surface area (BLAINE, BET)
- Simulation and modelling tool: FEMLAB
- GC for analysis of long-chain products (diesel, waxes)
Services
- Development and optimisation of environmentally friendly assured production methods
- Investigations relating to the synthesis of fuels and chemical raw materials from biogenic synthesis gas
- Process simulation and evaluation
- Chemical process plant reaction planning
- Component and system development for high-temperature fuel cell systems
- Devising of regeneration strategies for exhaust gas aftertreatment systems
- Development and optimisation of analytical methods to characterise gaseous, liquid and solid emissions
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