The University of Twente has opened its fully upgraded high pressure lab – ‘Hoge Druk Lab’ – on September 15.
After a thorough renovation, the lab is equipped for safe experiments under extreme conditions. For converting biomass into sustainable feedstock, for example.
The new lab has all facilities needed for safe experiments with high pressures and temperatures. The new gas line system – 3,5 kilometer of pipes – can deal with pressures up to 600 bar. There is enough room inside the lab for large experimental setups, within the new process hall of seven meter in height or in safe bunkers with thick concrete walls.
“With a lab of this size, we are not limited to computer simulations or small model studies”, Prof Sascha Kersten says. “We can build R&D setups on a realistic industrial scale. For our researchers and students, this offers a very valuable experience. And industry is interested in doing research with us.” As Professor of Sustainable Process Technology, Kersten is responsible for the lab. His group is the main user, with experiments on biomass and CO2 conversion, for sustainable fuels and feedstock. Other UT groups in the lab do research on membranes or superconductivity, for example.
The lab was opened by Wim van Swaaij, professor emeritus and pioneer in the field of pyrolysis: a technique for converting biomass, like plant waste, into oil. From his research group, the successful spinoff company Biomass Technology Group (BTG) was founded. Kersten closely cooperates with this company nowadays.
On the occasion of the festive opening, a historic book appeared, looking back at 50 years of high pressure research at UT. The book, in Dutch, was written by Gert Banis, who coordinated the renovation process.
