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The laboratory contains equipment for synthesizing and characterizing membranes from polymers, mixed matrix, carbon or glass.
The synthesis laboratory is equipped with vacuum ovens, a ball mill, a polymer solution mixing unit, and a sonicator for homogenisation of solutions. The laboratory also contains casting equipment, and a high temperature tubular furnace (Carbolite® TZF type) for carbonization of materials. A clean room is under preparation.
The permeation and sorption laboratory is equipped with rigs for measurement of permeability and sorption of gases like He, Ar, H2, N2, O2, CO2, CH4, C2, C3, SF6, SO2, HCl and Cl2. Mixed gas permeation tests are analyzed using a micro GC (Agilent 3000A), except for gas streams containing Cl2, which are analyzed by a photometer. Special precautions are needed for the gases HCl and Cl2.
The permeation of the gas through the membrane is recorded as pressure increase (mbar) on the permeate side using an MKS Baratron pressure transducer and logged directly into a computer, where data are converted (by Labview®) to flux (m3 (STP)/(m2 h)) at the given pressure difference. The permeation rigs are insulated cabinets with temperature control.
Sorption is measured by the pressure decay method in a constant volume cell.
The laboratory also contains a glass vessel for long-term durability tests (static gas exposure).
In addition, we have access to scanning electron microscope (SEM) with element analysis, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and other instruments for analysis. |
Carbolite® TZF tubular furnace
Permeation rig
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