Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT
Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT
Anlage Alkoholsynthese
© Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Mike Henning

Space for your challenges

From analytical methods to catalyst preparation and test stands for compressed air storage: Our laboratories and pilot plants provide space for your questions on 4500 m2.

© Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Mike Henning

Anlage Tomcat
© Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Mike Henning

Space for your challenges

From analytical methods to catalyst preparation and test stands for compressed air storage: Our laboratories and pilot plants provide space for your questions on 4500 m2.

© Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Mike Henning

Anlage Electric Swing Adsorption
© Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Mike Henning

Space for your challenges

From analytical methods to catalyst preparation and test stands for compressed air storage: Our laboratories and pilot plants provide space for your questions on 4500 m2.

© Fraunhofer UMSICHT/Mike Henning

Equipment

From analytical to materials technology: Our infrastructure offers scope for your questions!

Do you have analytical, chemical, biotechnological, physical or material-related questions? Then please feel free to contact us. With our wide-ranging laboratory infrastructure and extensive technical infrastructure, we are happy to support you in finding answers and offer both product- and application-oriented research and development.

This page provides an overview of the equipment in our laboratories and pilot plants, which cover more than 4500 square meters – including technical data, examples of applications and contact persons. We welcome you to approach us with your challenges!

 

Analytics | Biomass technology center | Bioreactors | Biotechnological laboratory | Catalyst characterization | Catalyst preparation | Catalyst testing | Cell disruption processes | Centrifuges | Ceramic shaping pilot plant | Characterization of plastics | Chemical laboratory | Cryogenic comminution | Crystallization | Distillation | Extraction | Fermentation | Filtration | Fixed bed reactors | Freeze-drying | Gas purification | Gel electrophoresis | High-pressure processes | Makerspace | Membrane technology center | Metal oxide process | Methanol production | Optics | Photonics laboratory | Plant cultivation | Plasma system | Plastics processing | Plastics technical center | Preparative HPLC | Presses | Rectification | Rotary kiln | Sorption process | Spectrophotometry | Stirred tank reactors | Test stand for compressed air storage | Test stands for evaluating the aging and degradation behavior of plastics  

Analytics

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  • Precise and reliable analytics are a prerequisite for addressing environmental and process engineering issues. The institute has a well-equipped laboratory for this purpose, including state-of-the-art analytical system combinations. The wide range of services includes both standard methods and, in particular, the development of innovative, customized methods. Examples from our analytics portfolio are:

    • Chromatographic methods: HPLC, GC, IC, GPC with different detectors: FID, MS, ECD, DAD, RI
    • Examples of analytes: organic acids, alcohols, sugars, hormones, PFT, siloxanes, PAH
    • Elemental analysis with ICP-OES
    • Elemental analysis, TOC, calorimetry, BET
    • The focus is on the characterization of fuels and bio-based oils, fats and fuels.

    The validation of the measurement results is done, among other things, by comparison with external laboratories (interlaboratory comparisons).

    Contact persons

Biomass technology center

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  • A central task of research is to develop alternative energy sources and raw materials and make them usable with suitable technologies. The material and energetic use of biomass should be mentioned here in particular. The integration of biogenic energy sources and raw materials into existing structures for energy and raw material supply is an important step toward an energy and raw material supply geared toward sustainability and future viability.

    Fraunhofer UMSICHT's Biomass technology center has equipment for the mechanical and thermal processing, preparation, and conversion of straw and wood-based biomass. The spectrum includes a flash pyrolysis plant, rotary kilns for biomass conversion, cutting mills and laboratory choppers for comminution, and a briquetting and pellet press for shaping. The accompanying analysis of all starting materials, intermediate and end products is carried out in the institute's laboratories.

    Contact persons

Bioreactors

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  • Technical data

    • Laboratory-scale ED unit (64004 PCCell)
      • Surface area: 8 x 8 cm
      • Electrodes: Platinum/idirium-coated anode (titanium), stainless steel cathode
      • Temperable
    • Volumes:
      • Educt: up to 10 l
      • Product flows: up to 2 l
    • Probes and control:
      • Conductivity measurement
      • Measurement of pH value
      • Flow control
    • Special feature:
      • Operation as classic ED, MED and BPED possible
      • Scaling through operation of our ED pilot system is also possible
    • Online monitoring

    Application example

    • Parameter screening

    Contact persons

  • Technical data

    • Three-stage with denitrification, activation and sedimentation stage
    • All vessels made of borosilicate glass 3.3
    • Oxygen input control: GWS 200 limit value switch allows free adjustment of upper and lower limit value; range from 0 to 200 %, corresponding to 0 to 19.9 mg/l
    • Mammoth pump for returning sewage sludge from the settling tank to the aeration tank
    • pH value, temperature and flow measurement
    • Peristaltic pump: 0.2 to 2 l/h for pumping the wastewater
    • Storage tank for waste water: 30 l
    • Collection tank for clarified water: 30 l
    • Soft PLC:
      • Performs control, regulation and interlocking (e.g. pump control, pH value control, oxygen input control, interval-controlled sewage sludge recirculation)
      • Process data such as pH value, temperature and oxygen concentration are recorded and stored in a measurement data archive

    Application examples

    • Simulation of a municipal wastewater treatment plant
    • Treatment of various material flows (e.g. industrial wastewater)
    • Investigation of the degradability of substances (degradation tests)
    • Parameter screening
    • Determination of classic wastewater parameters (e.g. TS, CBS etc.)
    • Applicable for ISO standard 11733:2004, DIN DEV 38412 L 24 and L26, OECD 303A

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Aerobic operation
    • Determination of classic wastewater parameters (e.g. TS, COD, TN etc.)
    • Volumes:
      • Double-walled bioreactor (glass): V = 3.5 l
      • Inlet and outlet canisters for substrate and filtrate
      • Recirculation
    • Probes and control:
      • DO control (dissolved oxygen)
      • pH value control
      • Level measurement
      • Temperable up to 70 °C
      • Filtration rate
      • Additional probes can be connected
    • Membrane:
      • Variable membrane module (plate/hollow fiber tube module)
      • Cross-flow filtration
      • Monitoring of the transmembrane pressure
    • Online monitoring

    Application examples

    • Treatment of various streams (e.g. industrial waste water)
    • Investigation of the degradability of substances
    • Parameter screening

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Two system pumps (inlet flow rate to the column of max. 200 ml/min)
    • Sample pump (maximum inlet flow rate of 100 ml/min of the sample into the column)
    • Sample inlet valve and sample injection valve
    • Column switching valve (for the simultaneous operation of a maximum of five columns)
    • Outlet valve (for collecting large-volume fractions)
    • Automatic fraction collector (for collecting fractions during the process for analysis)
    • Probes and controls:
      • pH detector
      • Conductivity detector
      • UV/Vis detector
      • Measurement of system pressure, pre-column pressure and column pressure drop
      • Data analysis

    Application examples

    • Instrument of choice for method development and scale-up
    • Jese's system can be configured with either low or high flow rates by simply changing the system configuration.
    • A range of preparative chromatography techniques, including ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, etc. can be applied by selecting resins and columns of different sizes.

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Biological treatment (e.g. nitrification and denitrification) in a reactor with time-controlled discharge
    • Determination of classic wastewater parameters (e.g. TS, COD, TN etc.)
    • Volumes:
      • Double-walled bioreactor (glass): V = 5 l
      • Inlet and outlet canister for substrate and supernatant
    • Probes and control:
      • Control DO (dissolved oxygen), aerobic and anoxic conditions
      • pH value control
      • Level measurement
      • Temperable up to 70 °C
    • Online monitoring

    Application examples

    • Treatment of various material flows (e.g. industrial waste water)
    • Investigation of the degradability of substances
    • Parameter screening

    Contact person

Biotechnological laboratory

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  • The biotechnological laboratory works on tasks related to the cleaning of contaminated media (water, soil, air), tests biological degradation and production potentials, and develops novel microbiological processes on a laboratory and pilot plant scale.

    As a certified testing laboratory of the Federal Compost Association and a certified testing laboratory of DIN CERTCO for testing the compostability of materials according to DIN EN 13432, DIN EN 14995, ASTM 6400, we offer:

    • Microbiological analyses according to DIN, ISO, OECD methods
    • Biodegradability tests under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (e.g. AT4 and GB21 according to the German Waste Storage Ordinance)
    • Development of biotechnological production processes
    • Fermentation tests according to VDI guideline 4630

    In addition, we simulate real environmental conditions to study the aging and degradation behavior of different materials. Our focus is on testing plastics in compost, soil and fresh water. Various analytical methods are available to evaluate the aging and degradation behavior, which are selected depending on the material to be tested or the respective issue. These analyses provide information on the ageing and degradation behavior of the tested materials in a defined environment. This information can be used to determine the useful life of a product or to determine the period after its useful life (littering).

    Contact persons

Catalyst characterization

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  • Technical data

    • Heating range RT-1200°C
    • Heating ramp up to 70°C/min
    • rapid cooling (1000-100°C in 60 min)
    • up to 10 gas connections including vaporizer unit
    • TCD for measuring the gas flows and the adsorbed gas quantity

    Application example

    • Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), reduction (TPR) and oxidation (TPO), pulse chemisorption, BET surface determination

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Powder XRD, Cu and Co-tube

    Application example

    • Structure elucidation of (crystalline) solids; qualitative and quantitative phase determination; estimation of particle sizes

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • X-ray generation
    • X-ray generator 4 kW (max 60 kV, max 100 mA)
    • Line/point focus switch Easy and quick, without tooling
    • Goniometer
    • Maximum usable range (depending on accessories) -111 < 2theta < 168°
    • Smallest addressable increment 0.0001°
    • Angular reproducibility < 0.0002°
    • 2theta linearity over whole range Equal or better than +/- 0.01°
    • Maximum angular speed 15 deg/s
    • Angular resolution (FWHM on LaB6) 0.026°

    Application examples

    • Catalysts, battery materials, specialty chemicals

    Contact persons

Catalyst preparation

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  • Technical data

    • 2 l stirred reactor
    • Control of pH value and temperature
    • Dosing device

    Application examples

    • Production of heterogeneous catalysts via precipitation,
    • impregnation and hydrothermal synthesis on a small scale

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • 20 l stirred reactor
    • Control of pH value and temperature
    • Dosing device

    Application examples

    • Production of heterogeneous catalysts via precipitation,
    • impregnation and hydrothermal synthesis on a medium scale

    Contact person

Catalyst testing

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  • Technical data

    • Pressure and temperature range: up to 450°C at 60 bar
    • Reactor: 8-fold parallel reactor system consisting of electrically heated ¼ inch reactors
    • Online product analysis

    Application examples

    • Catalyst screening of powder catalysts
    • Development of gas phase processes
    • Synthetic gas mixtures from H2, CO, N2

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Pressure and temperature range: 500 °C at 60 bar / 1000 °C at 1 bar
    • Reactor: electrically heated 1 inch reactor
    • 2 liquid evaporators, 1 melt evaporator
    • sulphurized design
    • Online product analysis

    Application examples

    • Catalyst testing of powder and shaped body catalysts
    • Development of gas phase processes
    • synthetic gas mixtures of H2, CO,CO2, CH4, N2, Ar, O2, test gas and vaporized liquid and solid components
    • parameter screening

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Reactor: 2 ½ inch reactor with option for series connection
    • 1 liquid evaporator
    • Online product analysis

    Application examples

    • Catalyst testing of powder and shaped body catalysts
    • Development of gas phase processes
    • Synthetic gas mixtures of H2, CO,CO2, N2, Ar, test gas and vaporized liquid components
    • parameter screening

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Pressure and temperature range: 0-5 bar overpressure, RT-500 °C
    • Reactor: electrically heated double-tube reactor
    • 1 liquid evaporator
    • Online product analysis (GC-FID/TCD)

    Application examples

    • Catalyst testing of powder and molded catalysts
    • Development of gas phase processes with vaporized liquid components
    • Parameter screening

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Pressure and temperature range: 1-1.7 bar absolute (virtually unpressurized); RT-800 °C
    • Reactor: electrically heated glass reactor
    • Ammonia scrubber
    • Online product analysis

    Application examples

    • Catalyst testing of powder, granulate and molded catalysts
    • Development of ammonia-containing gas phase processes
    • Parameter screening

    Contact person

Cell disruption processes

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Centrifuges

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  • Technical data

    • Refrigerated centrifuge
    • 6 x 50 ml vessels - RZB 41 415 g
    • 6 x 30 ml vessels - RZB 60 628 g

    Application examples

    • Separation of a mixture into solid and liquid
    • In fermentation: Separation of biomass (solids/bacteria) from the liquid phase (fermentation broth)

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Refrigerated centrifuge
    • 6 x 500 ml
    • RZB 17 207g

    Application examples

    • Separation of a mixture into solids and liquids
    • In fermentation: Separation of biomass (solids/bacteria) from the liquid phase (fermentation broth)

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Refrigerated semi-continuous centrifuge
    • Rotor capacity 500 ml
    • RZB 24 879 g
    • Fermentation broths in the section from 5 – 100 l

    Application examples

    • Separation of a mixture into solid and liquid
    • In fermentation: Separation of biomass (solids/bacteria) from the liquid phase (fermentation broth)

    Contact person

Ceramic shaping pilot plant

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  • Technical data

    • Rheology measurements of ceramic pastes possible
    • Modular measuring kneader
    • Ceramic molded bodies possible through honeycomb and strand extrusion, diameter approx. 1-20 mm

    Application examples

    • Full catalyst honeycombs
    • Full catalyst pellets
    • Rheology measurements
    • Ceramic molded bodies
    • Preliminary investigation of recipe variants through kneading behavior

    Contact persons

  • Technical data

    • Volume 3.5 L
    • Mixing container rotating horizontally or at an angle with eccentrically arranged rotating mixing tool (whirler) and stationary combination tool as flow deflector
    • Macro and micro mixing effect

    Application examples

    • Mixing
    • Kneading
    • Granulating (e.g. ceramic pastes for extrusion in large quantities)

    Contact persons

  • Technical data

    • Pressure and temperature range: 80 °C at 400 bar melt pressure
    • Drive power 2 kW
    • 0.5 - 2 kg/h output
    • different matrices

    Application example

    • Production of ceramic catalyst molded bodies: pellets, dies with Ø 18 mm (CPSI 100, 400)

    Contact person

Characterization of plastics

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  • Technical data

    • Universal testing machines
      • Tensile, compression and bending tests
      • Test forces up to 50kN
      • Temperatures -70°C to +250°C
      • Video length measurement
      • Large travel ranges
      • Complex motion sequences programmable
    • Pendulum impact test
      • Impact and notched bar impact tests
      • Test energies up to 15J
      • Instrumented and non-instrumented tests
      • Temperatures from -60°C to +150°C
    • Thermomechanical analysis, DMTA
      • Torsion measurement in the rheometer
      • Temperature range: -150°C to 600°C
      • Test atmospheres: Air atmosphere and nitrogen

    Application examples

    • Determination of tensile, compression and bending properties
    • Measurement of plastics, elastomers, concrete and metals
    • Foils and filaments can also be measured in addition to standard test specimens
    • Own test specimen production possible
    • Other test sequences and test specimens can also be measured individually

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Differential scanning calorimetry, DSC
      • Temperature range: -150°C to 600°C
      • Modulated measurements
      • Heat capacity
    • Thermogravimetric analysis, TGA
      • Temperature range: room temperature to 1000 °C
      • Heating rates: up to 100 K/min
      • Test atmospheres: Nitrogen, oxygen, synth. air and other mixtures of N2 and O2
      • Coupling with FT-IR spectrometer possible
    • Thermal diffusivity, LFA
      • Temperature range: -100°C to 500°C
    • HDT heat deflection temperature and Vicat softening temperature
      • Temperature range: 20°C to 300°C
    • Thermomechanical analysis, DMTA
      • Torsion measurement in the rheometer (link)
      • Temperature range: -150°C to 600°C
      • Test atmospheres: Air atmosphere and nitrogen

    Application examples

    • Characterization of materials as part of feasibility studies for customer-specific requirements
    • Quality control of polymers and compounds, e.g. with regard to rheology, glass transitions, crystallization and melting temperatures
    • Determination of degree of crystallization and post-crystallization

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Scanning electron microscope
      • Acceleration voltage up to 30 kV
      • SE and BSE detector
      • Low-vacuum mode
    • Light microscopes
      • Magnification up to 5000x
      • Incident light, transmitted light, polarization, bright field and dark field
      • Various tools for measuring images
      • Heating stage (up to 600°C)
    • White light confocal microscope
      • o Height resolution up to 1 nm
      • o Measuring field size up to 3.2 mm x 3.2 mm

    Application examples

    • Surface characterization to visualize phases, structures and morphologies
    • Measurement of structures, roughness and topography
    • Hot stage experiments, e.g. spherulite growth
    • Sample preparation using microtome or cryo-fracture

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • FT-IR spectrometer
      • Transmission unit
      • Reflection via ATR unit
      • Gas measuring cell
      • Spectra libraries
      • Coupling with TGA Possible (TG-IR)
    • NMR spectrometer
      • 60 MHz
      • 1D and 2D NMR spectra
      • 1H, 19F, and 31P
    • UV-VIS spectrometer
      • o Wavelength range 180 nm to 800 nm
    • XRF
      • Elements Na - U
      • Measuring spot < 20 µm
      • Large sample chamber

    Application examples

    • Structure elucidation and verification of monomers, oligomers, polymers and additives
    • Identification of inorganic minerals and pigments
    • Identification of inorganic fillers in polymer composites
    • Element analysis with element distribution images of up to 190 mm² x 160 mm²

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Rheometer
      • Temperature range -150°C to 600°C
      • Rotation and oscillation measurements
    • Measuring system for liquids to solids
    • MFI/MVR
      • Temperature range 50°C to 400°C
      • Variable test loads
    • Rheotens
      • Force measuring range 0 - 2.0 N
      • Force resolution 1 mN
    • High-pressure capillary rheometer, HKV
      • Various nozzle geometries

    Application examples

    • Flow behavior; viscosities, viscoelastic properties, glass transition temperatures
    • Melt strength and pull-out ability via elongational viscosity
    • Determination of melt density
    • Relative molecular weight and molecular structure

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Density measurement
      • Liquid and gas pycnometer
      • Melt density
    • Water content
      • Halogen thermobalance
      • Aquatrack
      • Karl Fischer titrator
    • Particle size and particle size distribution measurements
      • Static light scattering
      • Sieve tower
      • Microscopy
    • Molecular weight distribution, GPC
      • Autosampler
      • Various columns and detectors
    • Hardness testing
      • Shore A and D

    Contact person

Chemical laboratory

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  • In the chemical laboratory, a wide range of chemical syntheses (including polymerizations) are carried out, along with purification and concentration steps. These range from exploratory preliminary tests on a laboratory scale to investigations in one of our small-scale technical annexes. The equipment includes, among other things:

    • parallel reactor system, reaction calorimeter
    • Small-scale annexes for the production and purification of biofuels (mini-plant for the production of biodiesel, short-path distillation)
    • Small-scale annexes for the purification and concentration of product streams (rectification, thin-film evaporation, extraction, crystallization, pervaporation)
    • Inert gas and vacuum annexes as well as pressure reactors, use of specialty gases

    Contact person

Cryogenic comminution

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  • Technical data

    • Material cooling down to -196 °C
    • Throughput: up to 200 kg/h
    • Size reduction machines: Eddy current mills Pin mills Ball mill (laboratory scale)/ Centrifugal mill (laboratory scale)/ Pre-shredding: Cutting mills
    • Refrigeration technology: Liquid nitrogen cooler (500 kg LN2 /h) 6t nitrogen tank
    • Classifying technology: vibrating screen, tumbler screen, air jet screen, vibrating screen (laboratory scale)
    • Packaging: mixer, pellet press, extruder
    • Measurement technology: bulk density, tapped density, abrasion, pellet hardness, specific surface area according to BET, thermal analysis and gravimetry, particle size analysis
    • Further processing: compounding, laser sintering

    Application examples

    • Trial grinding and sample production of batches up to 3 tons
    • Sample preparation, product analysis, classification
    • Feasibility and economic feasibility studies for cryogenic comminution (incl. process development)
    • Development, planning, construction and optimization of customer-specific grinding plants
    • Comprehensive chemical analysis
    • Further processing of powders produced

    Contact person

Crystallization

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  • Technical data

    • Operating temperature: 30 - 150 °C
    • Operating pressure abs.: > 0.1 bar.
    • Max. Dimensions: n2300 x 1400 x 965 mm
    • Nominal capacity of jacketed vessel: 10 l with dead space-free bottom drain valve, graduated, with vacuum insulation jacket
    • Reservoir: glass vessel 6 l

    Application examples

    • Cooling crystallization
    • Evaporation crystallization
    • Reaction crystallization
    • Concentration
    • Distillation

    Contact person

Distillation

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  • Technical data

    • Material: borosilicate glass 3.3
    • Evaporator surface: 5 dm2
    • Typical throughput (depending on product): approx. 0.3 - 1.5 kg/h
    • Wiping system: self-cleaning roller wiping system
    • Evaporator temperature: up to 350 °C
    • Operating pressure (depending on product): up to < 0.001 mbar
    • Heating: thermal oil (bath thermostat)

    Application examples

    • Separation of large quantities of solvents or other
    • other low-boiling substances
    • Processing of crude methyl ester and crude glycerine from
    • from biodiesel production
    • Separation of partial glycerides

    Contact persons

Extraction

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  • Technical data

    • Operating pressure abs.: > 0.1 bar
    • Max. Dimensions: 2300 x 1700 x 965 mm
    • Storage tank: 4 x 10 l vessels
    • Feed pumps: 3 dosing pumps
    • Extraction column: Backwork extraction column
    • Packing column: DN 50, vacuum jacketed
    • Packings: Raschi rings

    Application examples

    • Separation of one or more soluble components from a liquid
    • liquid mixture with the aid of a solvent
    • Extraction of vitamins, antibiotics, flavorings, petroleum products and metal salts
    • Purification of waste water and extract solutions from solid-liquid extractions

    Contact person

Fermentation

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Filtration

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  • Technical data

    • SARTOFLOW® Slice 200 Crossflow system
    • Membrane material: Polyethersulfone (PESU), Hydrosart® (extremely hydrophilic material)
    • Exclusion limit:
      • PESU: 1 kD - 300 kD
      • Hydrosart®: 2 kD - 100 kD
    • Filter area: 200 cm2
    • Max. 2 cassettes
    • Available membranes: PESU 1 kDa, 5 kDa, 8 kDa

    Application examples

    • Proteins (separation/purification)
    • Peptides (fractionation according to molecular weight)
    • Oligosaccharides (fractionation according to molecular weight)
    • Organic acids (separation)

    Contact person

Fixed bed reactors

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  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 500 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 1.5 bar
    • Volumes:
      • Fixed bed reactor (stainless steel): V = 20/75 ml
      • Pump: 0.01 - 50 ml/min
    • Special features:
      • Coupled GC-MS
      • Nitrogen inertization
      • Feed evaporation

    Application examples

    • Catalyst screening
    • Development of liquid and gas phase processes
    • Parameter screening

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 550 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 1.5 bar
    • Volumes:
      • Fixed-bed reactor: 200 ml
      • Pump: 0.5 - 40 ml/min
    • Special features:
      • Peristaltic pump
      • Feed preheating
      • Nitrogen inertization
      • Water vapor addition
      • Feed evaporation

    Application example

    • Catalytic cracking of fats and oils

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 450 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 1.5 bar
    • Volumes:
      • Fixed-bed reactor: 6 l
      • Pump: 0.5 - 3 l/min
    • Special features:
      • Feed preheating
      • Nitrogen inertization
      • Water vapor addition
      • Feed evaporation
      • Superheating of the gas flow

    Application example

    • Catalytic cracking of fats and oils

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 400 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 100 bar
    • Volumes:
      • Fixed-bed reactor (inconel): 120/1200 ml
      • Pump: 0.01 - 50 ml/min
    • Special features:
      • Handling of multiphase flows
      • Multi-component feed
      • Feed evaporation
      • Fully automated
      • Hydrogen addition

    Application examples

    • Development of liquid and gas phase processes
    • Investigations on fluid stability
    • Production of sample quantities

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 300 °C
    • Pressure: up to 100 bar
    • Features:
      • Reactor length: 110 cm
      • Delivery volume: up to 1 Nm3/h
      • At-Line GC for detailed composition measurements every 20 min
      • Online measurement of permanent gases
    • Special features:
      • Axial temperature measurement in the reactor with 15 measuring points
      • Internal gas recycle
      • Automated with PCS7

    Application examples

    • Methanol production from alternative synthesis gases
    • Laboratory twin for test preparation for pilot plants
    • Development of new control strategies

    Contact person

Freeze-drying

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Gel electrophoresis

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High-pressure processes

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  • Technical data

    • Autoclaves with volumes from 63 ml (manually controlled) up to 1700 L (PLC controlled)
    • Material: 1.4542
    • Pressure: up to 300 bar
    • Temperature: up to 300 °C
    • Heating: electric, oil and water
    • Magnetic stirrer and rotating baskets
    • Addition of liquids up to a maximum operating pressure of 300 bar.

    Application Examples

    Use of compressed carbon dioxide for

    • Impregnation of synthetic polymers and natural materials
    • Extraction of residual monomers and component cleaning
    • Tanning and dyeing of leather
    • Production of aerogels
    • Foaming of polymers
    • Conversion of carbon dioxide into chemical recyclables
    • Integration of carbon dioxide into mineral building materials or mineralization.

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 200 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 100 bar
    • Volumes: interchangeable autoclaves (Hastelloy C, titanium, stainless steel): V = 70 - 100 ml
    • Special features:
      • Reflux condenser
      • Pressure control
      • Automate

    Application Examples

    • Hydrothermal catalyst synthesis
    • Esterification and transesterification
    • Dehydration, etherification

    Contact person

Makerspace

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  • Whether physical (product) development ideas, digital solutions or electronic projects: Our Makerspace offers a hands-on space for interdisciplinary work – with a focus on digital manufacturing technologies. In addition to employees of the institute, external stakeholders can also use this space by invitation to work on ideas and concepts.

    The Makerspace offers, among other things:

    Digital manufacturing

    		    

    Electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT)

    		 Miscellaneouss
    • 3D printers (FDM, SLA, SLS, paste)
    • Laser cutter
    • CNC milling
    • Water jet cutter
    • CAD calculator
    • 3D scanner
    • Shaper
    		    
    • Workstations for electronics work
    • Mikrocontroller
    • Sensors and actuators
    • Soldering equipment
    • Hand tools
    • Cordless tools such as drills, saws and multitools
    • Thermoforming machine
    • Dry open
    • Hot slicer

     

    Contact person

Membrane technology center

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  • Membrane processes are an ecological and economical alternative to conventional cleaning and treatment processes. Laboratory and pilot tests are often necessary to evaluate the separation behavior of the membrane. Test stands and annexes for micro, ultra and nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and micro sieve filtration are available for on-site operation. Preliminary investigations are used to select suitable processes, on the basis of which membrane processes for the recovery of valuable substances, water recycling and downstream processing are developed. Plant technology for the production of micro-sieves, membranes and membrane modules complete the technical infrastructure.

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Metal oxide process

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  • Technical data

    • Metal oxide: up to 70 mg/g
    • Ion exchange: 50 mg/g (Purolite; tested with 10 g/l succinic acid)
    • Regeneration:
      • Base with salt additive
      • Thermal desorption is to be tested
    • Approx. 90 % of the absorbed acid can be recovered
    • Further optimization

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Optics

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  • Technical data

    • Measurement of irradiance and radiant intensity between 230 and 1020 nm
    • Measurement of light sources up to 1 m in diameter
    • Equipment: Integrating spheres, photogoniometers, hand-held spectrometers, transmission and reflection measuring heads, etc.

    Application examples

    • Photometric measurements from UV to IR
      • Photometric properties
      • Spatial distribution
      • Photometric analysis of luminaires incl. loss analysis of individual components
      • Application of emitted radiation (EN 12198)
    • Demonstrator construction
    • Development of optical sensor concepts

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  • Technical data

    • Fluorescence detection imaging
    • Raman
    • Epidermal absorption

    Application example

    • Development of new imaging optical sensor concepts

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Photonics Laboratory

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  • We research efficient solutions for future photonic challenges. We specialize in applied research, implementation-oriented technical development and the pilot use of innovative lighting technologies. We support companies in technical and system-analytical issues.

    Photometric Measurements

    Luminous flux and radiant power of lamps and luminaires, luminous intensity distribution curves, irradiance, radiation density, transmittance, reflectance, absorptance, colorimetry, spectral measurement, photometric measurement of luminaires according to DIN.

    Evaluation of emitted radiation (EN 12198)

    If machines can intentionally or accidentally emit optical radiation, they must be evaluated on the basis of EN12198-1. The emission is classified into one of three defined categories.

    Market and feasibility studies

    Studies on feasibility, market, development trends or profitability, analysis of innovation signals, potential estimates, independent technology assessments, development-specific light regimes.

    Photometric measurements from UV to IR

    The need for knowledge of photometric parameters of lighting systems is increasing with the proliferation of special light sources such as LEDs. Comparability of photobiological effects requires a precise knowledge of the spectral properties.

    Development of specific lighting and climate strategies in horticulture

    Yield – biomass and plant quality – can be significantly increased by adjusting the light. Together with our partner from the section of intensive plant production, we develop suitable strategies for light and climate control in your production.

    Development of specific UV regimes

    UV light is used in a wide range of applications, from sterilizing water, air and surfaces to polymerizing and hardening plastics. We determine the optimal UV spectrum for your process.

    Equipment

    Various spectrometer measuring heads

    Areas of application

    • Measurement of light sources (spatial and spectral)
    • Reflection measurements of surfaces
    • Transmission measurements of components
    • Color measurements

    Technical data

    • Measuring range from 320-1020 nm

    Plant cultivation

    Applications

    • Climate chambers for controlled cultivation of plants, algae, etc.

    Technical data

    • Various light sources from UV to IR

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Plant cultivation

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  • Technical data

    • Cultivation temperature of approx. 15 - 25 °C
    • Exposure intensity 0 - 300 µmol s-1 m-2
    • Exposure modules with 5 channels (UV-IR)
    • Volumes
      • 9 cultivation levels, each with an area of 55 x 135 cm
      • 3 climate chambers
    • Special features
      • Automatic ebb/flow irrigation
      • Hydroponics
      • Online monitoring of environmental parameters
      • Nutrient management

    Application examples

    • Exposure/cultivation of plants under constant conditions
    • Indoor farming

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Cultivation temperature of approx. 15 - 25 °C
    • Additional LED-based lighting
    • Area approx. 120 m²
      • Automatic ebb/flow irrigation
      • Use of different types of water (gray water, rainwater, city water)
      • Online monitoring of environmental parameters
      • Nutrient management

    Application examples

    • Cultivation of plants
    • Indoor farming

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Plasma system

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  • Technical data

    • Gas mixing station with N2,H2,CO,CO2,CH4, O2, H2O, Toloul, H2Sfor volume flows up to 1 Nm³/h
    • Plasma (catalysis) reactor: Dielectric barrier discharge with 10 kVRMS, 4-500 kHz
    • Gas temperatures up to max. 200°C and operating pressure up to 5 bar(g)
    • Analytics: Multi-channel analyzers with IR, WLD paramagnet and electrochemical cell (O2) as well as GC-MS system

    Application example

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Plastics processing

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  • Technical data

    • Twin screw extruder from laboratory to industrial scale
      • Screw diameter: Ø 25 - 70 mm
      • L/D ratio depending on system: 36 - 50
      • Throughputs: 5 - 500 kg/h
      • Temperature range: up to 300 °C
      • Wide range of screw configurations for every processing task
    • Extensive peripherals for pre- and post-treatment, e.g:
      • Mixing: Heating/cooling mixer, plowshare mixer
      • Drying: dry air dryer, drying cabinet
      • Dosing: Dosing unit for granules, fibers or fillers (0.1 - 500 kg/h), dosing pumps (0.001 - 21 l/h)
      • Granulating: Underwater/strand pelletizing, hot knock-off
      • Packaging: Bagging system for valve bags, octabins and big bags

    Application examples

    • Recipe development on twin-screw extruders with proven configurations or individual adaptations
    • Material development based on various bioplastics, such as starch, polylactic acid or other biopolyesters, drop-in plastics and cellulose derivatives in combination with a wide variety of fillers, fibers and additives
    • Development of different compounds for e.g. foam extrusion, for the production of (food) packaging (thermoforming), extrusion films, injection molded articles, etc.
    • Feasibility studies for customer-specific requirements
    • Sample quantities from laboratory to industrial scale

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  • Technical data

    • Flat film extrusion line, single layer
      • Temperature range: up to 300 °C
      • Die width: 200 mm
      • Adjustable die gap
    • Blown film extrusion line, single layer
      • Film lay-flat width: max. 350 mm
      • Film take-off speed: 0 - 44 m/min
      • Cooling section: 1150 mm
    • Blow film extrusion line, multi-layer
      • Film lay-flat width: max. 180 mm
      • Film take-off speed: 0 – 10 m/min
      • Cooling section: 980 mm

    Application examples

    • Feasibility studies for customer-specific requirements
    • Quality control of compounds
    • Sample production

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  • Technical data

    • 1K injection molding machine
      • Shooting force: max. 500 kN
      • Swept volume: max. 69 cm³
      • Screw diameter: Ø 25 mm
    • 2K injection molding machine
      • Shooting force: max. 1400 kN
      • Swept volume: max. 318 cm³ and max. 53 cm³
      • Screw diameter: Ø 45 mm and Ø 22 mm
    • Tools for dumbbell specimens, test specimens (2K tensile and peel test), fire plates, flow spirals, step and relief plates, demonstrators

    Application examples

    • Feasibility studies for customer-specific requirements
    • Injection molding of test specimens and demonstrators

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Measuring kneader
      • Chamber volume: 370 - 440 cm³ (filling 250 cm³)
      • Temperature range: up to 300 °C
    • Measuring extruder
      • Temperature range: up to 450 °C
      • Single screw: Ø 30mm, L/D = 25
      • Torque: max. 400 Nm
    • Rolling mill
      • Temperature range: up to 300 °C
      • Roll: Ø 110 mm, working range: 250 mm
      • Adjustable roll gap
    • Plate press
      • Temperature range: up to 300 °C
      • Working area: max. 300 x 300 mm
      • Press force: max. 450 kN

    Application examples

    • Determining processing parameters
    • Checking the compatibility of different blend partners using very small quantities
    • Preparing samples for analysis
    • Creating samples

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Plastics technical center

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  • Customer and product-oriented, Fraunhofer UMSICHT offers comprehensive services in the section of plastics and recycling technology at the Willich location. Biodegradable plastics, polymers from renewable raw materials, resource-saving materials, fiber-reinforced compounds and recycled plastics are systematically developed and manufactured in pilot and small series. Process optimization, analytics and testing technology, recycling concepts, market and feasibility studies round off the portfolio of the plastics technology center.

    The Plastics Technical Center is divided into a materials laboratory, a compounding technical center and a testing laboratory.
    After the development and optimization of the compounds in the materials laboratory, larger sample quantities can be produced in a short time on the industry-oriented annexes in the compounding technical center. Six twin-screw extruders with throughput rates of 10 to 600 kg/h are available for this purpose. The short development times that can be achieved in this way when upscaling offer our customers a market advantage when launching products. In addition to the development of processes and materials, mechanical and tribological material characteristics are determined in the test laboratory and analyses are carried out on rheology, thermal behavior, chemical composition and structure.

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Preparative HPLC

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  • Technical data

    • Knauer Azura
    • Flow rate up to 100 ml/min
    • UV/Vis detector
    • Column oven 5 - 85 °C
    • Columns for the separation of fatty acids, oligomers and proteins
    • Fraction collector Flow rate up to 10 ml/min
    • Application software for control

    Application examples

    • Extraction of pure substances
    • Separation of protein, fatty acid and oligosaccharide mixtures

    Contact persons

     

Presses

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  • Technical data

    • Capacity (depending on the type and bulk density of the pressed material): 10 - 25 kg/h
    • Electrical power: 3.0 kW
    • Weight (net, without filled material): 210 kg
    • Dimensions: 1250 x 600 x 550 mm

    Application examples

    • Cold pressing process for oilseeds, seeds and nuts
    • Production of edible oils

    Contact persons

Rectification

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  • Technical data

    • Base temperature: up to 180 °C
    • Operating pressure abs.: > 0.1 bar.
    • Evaporation capacity: 4 - 6 kg/h
    • Packing column: DN 50, vacuum jacketed with support ring and packing carrier for glass spirals
    • Distillate receivers: Glass vessels 2 x 5 l with drain valves
    • Feed / sump product receiver: 5 l glass vessels with connection pieces for filling, draining and ventilation
    • Max. Dimensions: 2300 x 1700 x 965 mm

    Application example

    • Separation of two- or multi-substance mixtures

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  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 350 °C
    • Pressure abs.: 1 - 1.5 bar
    • Characteristics:
      • Separating stainless steel packing: L = 1.8 m
      • Delivery volume: 0.5 - 2 L/h
    • Special features:
      • Fully continuous rectification
      • Automatic return flow divider
      • Trace heating on all lines for precise temperature control

    Application examples

    • Distillation of fuel mixtures
    • Purification of methanol-water mixtures
    • Recovery of solvents

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Rotary kiln

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  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 1000 °C (a)
    • Pressure abs.: up to 1 bar (a)
    • Volumes: Rotary kiln (stainless steel): V = 500 ml (a)
    • Special features: Gas and water vapor dosing

    Application examples

    • Production of activated carbon
    • Regeneration of activated carbon
    • Calcination of catalysts
    • Production of adsorbents

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Sorption process

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  • Technical data

    • Operating pressure abs.: > 0.1 bar
    • Absorption column/desorption column:
    • Glass column DN 50 with packing (Raschi rings)
    • Max. Dimensions: 2300 x 1700 x 965 mm

    Application example

    • Test stand for demonstrating absorption and desorption effects

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Operating temperature: 30 - 150 °C
    • Operating pressure abs.: > 0.1 bar
    • Max. Dimensions: 2300 x 1800 x 965 mm
    • Container: Glass container 500 ml, double-walled

    Application examples

    • Test stand for demonstrating adsorption and desorption effects
    • Adsorption and desorption of test mixtures on various adsorbents (activated carbon, zeolites, etc.)
    • Saturation

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Spectrophotometry

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  • Technical data

    • Varian Cary 300 (2 channel)
    • Cell changer with up to 14 samples
    • Shimadzu 2102 PC (2-channel)
    • Thermo Scientific Genesys (1-channel) 6-cell changer

    Application examples

    • Adsorption, absorbance, transmission (190 - 800 nm)
    • Protein, phosphate

    Contact person

Stirred tank reactors

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  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 330 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 280 bar
    • Volumes: Stirred tank (stainless steel): V = 1 l
    • Special features:
      • Sampling under process conditions
      • Fully automated
      • Continuous hydrogen addition possible

    Application examples

    • Long-term test for catalysts
    • Hydrogenation of organic compounds
    • Production of sample quantities

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to 220/300 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 1 bar
    • Stirred vessel volumes (glass): V = 500/2500 ml
    • Special features:
      • Reflux condenser
      • Water separator
      • inertization

    Application examples

    • Hydrothermal catalyst synthesis
    • Esterification and transesterification
    • Dehydration, etherification

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • Temperature: up to ~150 °C
    • Pressure abs.: up to 1 bar
    • Stirred tank volumes (glass): V(2x) = 2l and 2l settling tank
    • Special features:
      • Batch and continuous operation
      • automation
      • Overflow control

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Test stand for compressed air storage

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  • Technical data

    • Standard gas flow rates up to 1.2 l/min
    • Visible pressure cell with 1.4 l standard storage volume
    • Operating pressure up to 16 bar(g)

    Application example

    • Investigation of pressure equalization modules for isobaric compressed air storage

    Contact person

  • Technical data

    • 4 kW screw compressor with a flow rate of 690 l/min
    • Compressed air tank with 250 l storage volume
    • Operating pressure up to 10 bar(g)

    Application example

    • Investigation of pressure equalization modules for isobaric compressed air storage

    Contact person

Test stands for evaluating the aging and degradation behavior of plastics

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