A biorefinery is an integrated facility that transforms biomass into a spectrum of valuable products like fuels, chemicals, and materials. Similar to petroleum refineries, biorefineries process renewable biological feedstocks such as agricultural residues, wood, and algae through various conversion technologies. The biorefinery concept aims to maximize resource efficiency by creating multiple value streams from biomass while minimizing waste and environmental impact. Biorefineries play a critical role in transitioning toward a more sustainable, bio-based economy by reducing dependence on fossil resources. The technology combines various processes including mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biochemical conversion methods to extract maximum value from biomass resources.

Click here for further informations.

The IKA C 200 is a compact combustion calorimeter for determining the calorific value of solid and liquid samples. During analysis, a defined sample is completely combusted in an oxygen-filled decomposition vessel and the released heat is used to determine its energy content. The instrument provides four different measurement modes – isoperibol, dynamic, manual and time-controlled – allowing measurement times between approximately 8 and 17 minutes.

With a maximum measuring range of 40,000 J and a robust, space-saving design, the system is well suited for research, teaching and laboratories with moderate sample throughput. In the CampusLab, it can be used to investigate the energetic value of biomass, residues and other materials relevant to circular resource use.

See supplier homepage for further information.

https://www.ika.com/en/Products-LabEq/Calorimeters-pg330/C-200-8802500/?

The KEYENCE VHX-X1 is a high-performance digital microscope for the detailed optical characterization of materials, particles and surfaces. It enables high-resolution, depth-of-field imaging as well as rapid 3D visualization and dimensional analysis of complex sample structures.

A particular feature of the CampusLab system is the additional EA-300 laser-based material analysis unit, which combines optical microscopy with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). This enables rapid elemental analysis directly at selected areas of a sample, without the need for extensive sample preparation or vacuum conditions. The combination of microscopic imaging and local chemical information makes the system particularly versatile for investigating heterogeneous materials, particles, contaminants, recycling streams and material surfaces in circular-economy research.

See supplier homepage for further information.

https://www.keyence.com/products/microscope/elemental-analyzer/

The GRANOMAT JP disk mill is designed for the ultrafine grinding of numerous products. It is also described as a ‘dissolving machine’ and can be used for both wet and dry milling. The most varied of products can be produced, depending on the type of disk employed. To achieve this the product is drawn through the grinding disk by centrifugal forces, whereby the static grinding disk is attached to the lid (stator) and the rapidly rotating disk is located below in the grinding housing.

See supplier homepage for further information.

The Ocean Optics SR6 is a compact, high-sensitivity fiber-optic UV-Vis spectrometer for fast, non-destructive optical characterization of liquids, solids and films. The system covers 180 - 900 nm with an optical resolution of about 1.25 nm. It is combined with a balanced deuterium-tungsten halogen light source, which provides stable, continuous illumination. Solarization-resistant optical fibers allow reliable long-term measurements in the UV.

The fiber-optic design allows the setup to be configured flexibly. Measurements can be carried out in a sample holder for absorbance and transmission studies of solutions in standard 1 cm cuvettes, or outside on a sample stand for solid samples such as films, discs and monoliths. A dedicated reflection probe is available for reflectance measurements, together with a Spectralon diffuse reflectance standard as a reference. Separate integrating spheres for transmittance and reflectance allow the total and diffuse optical response of opaque, powdered and highly scattering materials to be measured. Measurements are controlled with OceanView software, and a full developer SDK allows custom automation and integration into experimental setups. This makes the instrument particularly suitable for research on optical properties of functional materials, porous solids, gels and solutions.

See supplier homepage for further information.
https://www.oceanoptics.com/spectrometer/sr6/

This extruders can be used to develop manufacturing processes for transformation of raw materials into products with consistent shapes and dimensions. The process involves feeding material (often in granular or pellet form) into a heated barrel where it's compressed and melted by a rotating screw. The molten material is then forced through a die that shapes it into the desired profile before cooling and solidifying. This extruder is designed to function in a research and development context and enables the test of 24 h production of samples batches.

See supplier homepage for further information.

This table-top testing machine is equally ideal for research and development as for routine quality assurance testing. It is designed for quasi-static loading with increasing, pulsating or cyclic tests through an electro-mechanical drive system. Furthermore, it is designed for tensile, compression, and flexure tests for applications with low loads. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for production monitoring, goods inwards checks, for demonstration or teaching purposes in schools and for reliable quality assurance testing.

See supplier homepage for further information.

The Anton Paar Cora 5001 is a versatile Raman spectrometer for rapid, non-destructive chemical and structural characterization of a wide range of materials. The CampusLab system combines two excitation wavelengths, 532 and 1064 nm, in one instrument. This dual-wavelength configuration allows the excitation wavelength to be adapted to different sample types and helps to minimize fluorescence, thereby substantially increasing the range of materials that can be investigated. 

In addition to conventional laboratory measurements, the system is equipped with fiber-optic and immersion probes, enabling flexible measurements directly at samples as well as in-situ and At-Line monitoring of processes and chemical reactions. This makes the instrument particularly suitable for research on raw materials, recycling streams, chemical conversion processes and functional materials.

See supplier homepage for further information.

https://www.anton-paar.com/us-en/products/details/cora-5001-fiber/

The pyrolysis pilot plant is designed for the thermal decomposition of materials in the absence of oxygen. Pyrolysis is a process where organic material, like biomass or waste, is heated to high temperatures (typically between 300°C and 600°C) in an oxygen-free environment, causing it to break down into various products such as bio-oil, gas, and char. This technology is used for converting waste into valuable energy and chemical products

Cost cuts, less wastage and reduced manufacturing times – with Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP) a lot of challenges can be overcome and the use of carbon can be increased. The innovative carbon composite manufacturing technique offers new possibilities for improved component design, and enhancing end of life recyclability. TFP arranges the functional fibres in bundles exactly where they are most needed for structural performance. Moreover, it stitches them into position on a compatible base layer. This procedure replaces unlike the conventional approach of weaving the fibres of a composite into a perpendicular arrangement then cutting the fabric to the required shape.

See supplier homepage for further information.

Compact cameras from the TarisIR® mini series with a detector format of (640 × 480) IR pixels are designed for universal use.  They are characterised by their very compact design, low weight and modern interfaces. Using the supplied software development kit (SDK) and other accessories, flexible integration into existing - even harsh - system environments is possible without any problems. These compact cameras are ideal for use as OEM modules in both machines and process monitoring systems. Combined with the IRBIS® software developed by InfraTec, they can also be used as PC-supported camera systems in the measurement setup of a laboratory. The compact cameras are suitable for a wide range of measuring, testing and monitoring tasks in almost all areas of industry and science, such as the plastics industry, additive manufacturing or electronics.

See supplier homepage for further information.