Plasma Gasifier
A gasification unit whose main component is a reactor equipped with three plasma torches. Other components include a fuel storage and feeding system, syngas cooling and analysis equipment, and an afterburning chamber. The unit enables testing of the thermochemical decomposition of fuels at extremely high temperatures. The resulting product is syngas composed predominantly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Continuous Pyrolysis Unit
An experimental pyrolysis unit designed and constructed as part of research activities at VSB-TUO. It consists of several main components: a fuel hopper, screw feeder, continuous reactor, solid residue container, water-cooled condenser and pyrolysis liquid collection tank. The unit enables testing of the pyrolytic decomposition of a wide range of fuels at a throughput of approximately 10 kg/h. It is equipped with temperature sensors for process optimisation and is typically supplemented during testing with a portable syngas analyser. The solid residue and pyrolysis liquid are subsequently analysed in the laboratory.
Batch Pyrolysis Unit
A small batch reactor that is loaded with material, sealed and inerted before the pyrolysis process is initiated by heating. Its main components include a pyrolysis reactor, a pyrolysis gas line, a water-cooled condenser and a collection vessel for the pyrolysis liquid. The unit is used for testing smaller quantities of material, typically approximately 1–2 kg per batch. During testing, it is usually equipped with an online syngas analyser. The solid residue and pyrolysis liquid are subsequently analysed in the laboratory.
Pellet Boiler Test Rig
An experimental setup for testing combustion processes. It consists of a pellet boiler, a water-cooling circuit, a flue gas system and strain-gauge weighing scales. The setup enables testing of combustion efficiency and boiler output in relation to process parameters such as temperature, fuel feed rate, the amount of oxidising medium supplied and the temperature gradient of the cooling circuit. The boiler is equipped with a range of sensors for measuring temperatures within the combustion chamber and analysing flue gas composition.
Compressor Test Setup
It consists of a compressed-air piping system equipped with a pressure vessel, which acts as a buffer to damp pressure fluctuations, and a set of flow-measurement devices using Coriolis flowmeters. The setup enables highly accurate measurement of compressed-air flow rates at different pressure levels depending on the compressor operating settings.
Energy By-products
FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer
Using the Thermo Scientific FlashSmart NC/Soil elemental analyser, we determine total carbon, total nitrogen and total organic carbon (TOC) in both solid and liquid samples. The analysis is suitable for the characterisation of soils, sediments, biomass, waste, sludge, water, and a wide range of technical and construction materials. The results can be used, for example, to assess material composition and quality, organic matter content, the C/N ratio, or to monitor changes occurring during technological processing and environmental processes.
Experimental Laboratory Pyrolysis System with Gas Chromatograph
The experimental system enables the study of pyrolytic decomposition of materials followed by analysis of the resulting gaseous products using gas chromatography. The equipment is suitable for characterising biomass, waste, plastics, fuels and other organic materials, evaluating their behaviour during thermal decomposition, and determining the composition of the resulting products. The results can be used for the development and optimisation of thermochemical processes, assessment of feedstock suitability, and design of technologies for the energy or material recovery of waste and renewable resources.
Rigaku MiniFlex 600 X-Ray Diffractometer
Using the Rigaku MiniFlex 600 X-ray diffractometer, we perform structural and phase characterisation of crystalline and polycrystalline materials. The method enables the identification and quantification of crystalline phases, determination of the degree of crystallinity and crystallite size, and evaluation of basic crystal structure parameters. The analysis can be used for the characterisation of powdered and solid materials, raw materials, products of technological processes and newly developed materials, as well as for monitoring their structural changes.
Handheld Innov-X DELTA Professional X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer
Using the handheld Innov-X DELTA Professional X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, we perform rapid and non-destructive elemental analysis of materials both in the laboratory and in the field. The instrument enables the identification and quantitative determination of a wide range of elements and is suitable, for example, for the analysis of metals and alloys, soils, sediments, rocks, waste, construction materials and other solid samples. The results can be used to verify material composition, identify alloys, screen for contamination, assess raw materials, and rapidly characterise materials without destroying the sample.
Mettler Toledo TGA/DSC 2 for Thermogravimetric Analysis
Using the METTLER TOLEDO TGA/DSC 2 analyser, we simultaneously monitor changes in sample mass and thermal effects as a function of temperature or time. The analysis enables assessment of material thermal stability, moisture and volatile content, decomposition, oxidation and other thermally induced processes, while also identifying endothermic and exothermic transitions. The instrument is suitable for the characterisation of biomass, fuels, waste, polymers, mineral and ceramic materials, as well as other technological samples. It can be used to evaluate their composition, thermal behaviour and suitability for further processing.
Bezpilotní letouny (UAV)
Drony je možno vybavit nejrůznější senzorovou a analytickou technikou. Například přístroj Fidas Frog umožňuje měření koncentrací prachových částic. Zařízení je schopno měřit současně PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, TSP i počet částic a jejich velikostní distribuci v rozmezí velikosti 0.18 - 100 µm. Dron lze osadit také zařízením Scentroid flying laboratory DR1000 a umožňuje použití až 5 senzorů pro monitorování současně. Zařízení je vybaveno senzory pro detekci VOC, NH3, NO, NO2 a SO2 a senzory pro měření PM1, PM2.5 a PM10. Drony osázené touto senzorovou technikou lze vhodně použít pro horizontální a vertikální monitoring kvality ovzduší. V rámci projektu i-AIR Region byla sledována možnost použití dronové techniky pro monitoring znečištění pocházející z lokálního vytápění.
Bulk Materials
CPS Disc Centrifuge, 24,000 rpm
Using the CPS DC24000 disc centrifuge, we perform high-resolution analysis of particle size and particle size distribution based on sedimentation behaviour in a centrifugal field. The method is particularly suitable for characterising fine and submicron particles, nanoparticles, pigments, polymer particles, suspensions and agglomerates, and can effectively distinguish individual fractions in multimodal samples. The results can be used in material development and quality control, assessment of dispersion stability, monitoring of agglomeration, and optimisation of technological processes in which particle size and distribution are key parameters.
CILAS 1190 Particle Size Analyzer
Using the CILAS 1190 laser particle size analyser, we perform rapid and accurate determination of particle size and particle size distribution by laser diffraction. The instrument is suitable for characterising powdered materials, suspensions, mineral raw materials, fly ash, pigments, ceramic materials, biomass and other technological or environmental samples. The results can be used for material quality control, evaluation of grinding and classification processes, monitoring changes in particle size distribution, and the development and optimisation of technological processes in which particle size significantly influences the resulting material properties.
CAMSIZER Optoelectronic Particle Size and Shape Analyzer
Using the CAMSIZER optoelectronic particle analyser, we perform rapid determination of particle size, particle size distribution and shape characteristics using dynamic image analysis. The method enables evaluation of parameters such as particle length and width, roundness, sphericity, aspect ratio, symmetry and convexity, providing more detailed morphological information than conventional particle size analysis. The instrument is suitable for characterising powders, bulk materials, granulates, mineral raw materials and other particulate materials. The results can be used for quality control, evaluation of crushing, grinding and classification processes, and the development and optimisation of materials and technological processes.
Smart Grids
Dielectric Dissipation Factor Measurement
The dielectric dissipation factor can be used as one of the indicators for assessing the condition of the insulation system of the equipment under diagnosis. For this purpose, we use a Megger test system capable of measuring the dielectric dissipation factor at test voltages of up to 12 kV.
Transient Measurements
The Yokogawa DL950 oscilloscope is equipped with eight input channels, enabling simultaneous recording of voltage and current conditions in substations during transient events. The instrument supports high-speed signal acquisition with sampling rates in the MS/s range. Its large memory capacity enables the capture of both long-duration waveforms and fast transient events, making it particularly suitable for analysing switching operations and fault conditions in electrical networks.
Motor and Power Quality Analysis
The Fluke 438 analyser is designed for the measurement and evaluation of three-phase electrical quantities and power in electrical networks and drive systems. The instrument enables the measurement and assessment of power quality parameters. It also provides motor analysis functions, allowing the evaluation of parameters such as electrical unbalance, motor speed, torque and mechanical power.
High-Voltage Testing of Electrical Equipment
A laboratory high-voltage transformer rated at 50 kVA with a maximum output voltage of 120 kV enables a wide range of tests to be performed on electrical equipment. It is used primarily for dielectric strength testing, verification of insulation properties, and AC withstand voltage testing. A Haefely ACS 25 kV high-voltage transformer is also available. It provides continuous adjustment of the output voltage and allows automated test sequences to be configured, which is particularly advantageous for long-term and repeated measurements. The Haefely DDX 9161 measuring system, combined with the Haefely ACS 25 kV high-voltage source, enables partial discharge measurements under AC voltage. The system is used to detect and quantify partial discharge activity and allows the apparent charge of partial discharges to be recorded over time and as a function of the applied voltage.
Measurements can include determination of the partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) and partial discharge extinction voltage (PDEV), as well as the generation of phase-resolved partial discharge (PRPD) diagrams. The measurement chain is designed to maintain a very low intrinsic noise level, typically in the range of a few pC. The effects of ambient electromagnetic interference are minimised through appropriate test-site configuration and calibration of the measurement system. The system also allows the selection of measurement frequency bands in accordance with the requirements of the applicable standards.