Research

SPL research deals with adsorption-based separations and chromatography, and with crystallization processes. Applications are in the purification of biopharmaceuticals and in carbon dioxide capture and storage systems.

Crystallization and precipitation
Adsorption and chromatography
CO2 capture and storage

In all research areas there is a tight synergy among theory, modelling, and experiments and our activities span all the relevant aspects of a separation process from fundamentals to an integrated process.

Experimental research can be conducted in cutting edge facilities featuring automated lab-pilot units for PSA/TSA processes, mineral carbonation, supercritical fluid assisted precipitation, SMB processes (with online controller). Characterization techniques are available for particle size and shape distributions, adsorption isotherms, as well as spectroscopic instruments for online process monitoring.

More detailed description about the ongoing research projects can be found below:

Capillary condensation and hysteresis in gas phase adsorption
Investigation of stochastic nucleation using microfluidics
Particle sizing techniques
Modelling the stochastic behaviour of primary nucleation

Characterization of adsorption-based gas separation processes
Combined CO2 capture and storage by mineralization: Kinetic studies
Strategies for the control of crystal size and shape by mechanical action
Chilled ammonia process for CO2 capture

Enantiomeric resolution by Viedma Ripening
Membrane-based gas separation processes
Combined CO2 capture and storage by mineralization: Process development
Precipitation and stabilization of particles
Development and Optimization of Temperature Swing Adsorption Cycles
Development of Simulated Moving Bed Processes

Rate-based modelling, simulation and optimization of the chilled ammonia process for CO2 capture
Heat integration of Cyclic Adsorption Processes
Integration of sustainable multi-energy-hub systems at neighbourhood scale (IMES)