Laboratories

This laboratory focuses on both basic and applied research, using biomass (including biowaste) to produce biowaste, and the research of the subsequent processes, such as biogas purification. We do modelling and evaluation of the processes of anaerobic transformation of biomass into biogas and digestate, which may both be used in energy production. We provide basic analytical service for biogas stations and we also evaluate biogas technologies. We test methane production from non-traditional substrate. We also investigate the biomass aerobic degradation process, i.e. composting. New bioreactors, especially lower capacity ones, are being developed.

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Our laboratory provides service for the analysis of both traditional and non-traditional fuels, different types of combustion residues and certain flue gas parameters. The laboratory is equipped for measuring thermal and technical parameters necessary to determine fuel and energy potential of different materials. We are also able to investigate physical and chemical properties of the products of combustion and pyrolysis as well as the chemical composition of other materials.

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The laboratory of heterogeneous photocatalysis is equipped to investigate the processes of waste gas purification with the use of photocatalytic methods. Gas mixture analysis is also done. The laboratory investigates photocatalyst efficiency in photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (both liquid and gas phase), photocatalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide, photocatalytic cleavage of water in the presence of methanol and degradation of MTBE from water. We also investigate photocatalytic reaction kinetics and advanced oxidation processes for waste gas purification. The laboratory is equipped with batch photocatalytic reactors with different geometries for gas and liquid phase reactions, a flow photoreactor for gas phase decomposition reactions, a gas chromatograph (BID), a photo electrochemical spectrometer, a Kelvin probe and a pilot plant unit for investigating advanced oxidation processes. The laboratory also offers testing of powder photocatalysts for reactions in gas and liquid phases, of thin films for reactions in gas and liquid phases, as well as testing of photocatalytically active materials for gas phase reactions according to ČSN ISO 22197.

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The laboratory of nanostructure materials does research in the area of preparation and optimization of the preparation of different types of nanostructure materials such as metal oxides or carbon materials, in different macroscopic forms, especially for photocatalytic and catalytic decomposition of organic pollutants in the environment and photocatalytic reduction of greenhouse gases. Nanostructure powder, thin layers or monoliths are prepared not only with the use of conventional methods, but new unconventional preparation and processing methods are also developed and optimized, e.g. using supercritical and subcritical fluids. Preparation processes and their optimization are investigated on the basic research level, focusing on the influence of individual preparation or processing steps or of the feedstock/chemical precursor on the physicochemical properties of the prepared material and, consequently, on photocatalytic or catalytic efficiency. Our laboratory also uses microwave pyrolysis to prepare carbon sorbents, which are then characterised with the use of physisorption. We focus on inter-disciplinary research, using knowledge and information from material engineering, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, solid state physics, photochemistry, organic technology, as well as environmental and chemical engineering.

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At the laboratory of thermochemical processes, the focus of our research is on the valorization of wastes by thermochemical treatment. We perform both fundamental and applied research. Our research can be divided in two main parts.

The first part deals with the processing of waste biomass with an aim to obtain products with a higher added value. We perform pyrolysis for the production of biochar, carbonization to produce activated carbon sorbents and torrefaction to obtain coal-like high-energy-density materials.

The second part of our research deals with the chemical recycling of waste plastics. Chemical recycling offers the possibility of transforming waste polymeric materials back to their original monomers or other valuable chemicals which can be used as feedstocks in chemical and petrochemical industries. At our laboratory, we carry out thermal and thermo-catalytic pyrolysis for the chemical recycling of waste plastics.

Last but not least, we deal with hydrogen production using the catalytic (dry and steam) reforming of waste gases emerging from thermochemical treatment of both biomass and waste plastics.

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This laboratory focuses on research in the area of oxidation processes in thermal treatment of waste. The laboratory is equipped with a thermal waste incinerator with an hourly capacity of 30kg of waste. The equipment is completed with a flue gas cleansing system, including both continuous and discontinuous emission monitoring of raw and treated gas. The configuration of the devices allows a wide range of scientific experiments. The research infrastructure makes it possible to perform experiments aimed at observing environmental parameters and energy aspects of the waste incineration process. Another part of our research activities is focused on the investigation of solid combustion residue, its properties and evaluation of how this residue may be used.

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The laboratory of water is focused on basic and applied research in the field of water treatment and purification, including the analytical assessment of surface and wastewater quality. Water purification research is focused mainly on adsorption processes, photocatalytic decomposition, membrane processes, microwave field application, and bioremediation processes. Research is performed in a laboratory scale with model solutions, as well as real water samples, using materials (sorbents, catalysts) prepared with respect to removed substances (especially pharmaceuticals and pesticides). Solutions for industrial applications are also provided. Analytical instrumentation for metals, ions, organic pollutants, and biologically active substances determination can be offered. Interactions of the substances and their effect on organisms (especially bacteria and plants) present in the water environment are monitored as well.

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The laboratory focuses on solving problems associated with the research of solid residues that arise during combustion processes and products of a similar nature, such as fly ash or slag. Attention is paid to the properties of these products concerning their impact on environmental components and properties that can be used in choosing their material use. The problem of research of hydration properties of products of interest or the area of latent hydraulics is solved.

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