Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP
Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP

Chemical processes

Range of services

The range of services extends from representing the process parameters on the laboratory scale through to scaling processes up to pilot plant scale. Highly sophisticated reactions can be realized under high pressures (350 bar) and temperatures (up to 500°C) with the equipment and process technology installed. The following examples should be mentioned: gas phase reactions with hydrogen, oxygen or ammonia as well as reactions in the presence of flammable substances, in a strongly alkaline or acidic medium or in the near- and overcritical aqueous phase.

Together with our project partners and with the help of modern simulation software (ASPEN) the processes we develop are evaluated with regard to energy and resource efficiency; the further development of processes is therefore facilitated in an efficient way. The piloting of the processes also permits to synthesize relevant product quantities, for example for sampling purposes or the validation of the material flows for subsequent process steps.

Equipment

With the equipment available at Fraunhofer CBP we can represent a variety of established types of reactions and conversions in the gas or liquid phase, but we can also realize them with solids. Here the main emphasis is on catalytic reactions for the (de-)functionalization of biogenic raw materials. Before pilot testing, feasibility studies in the 0.1 – 10 liter scale can be carried out or the required synthesis stage can be modified accordingly.

Continuous and discontinuous reactors are used for scale-up to the pilot scale in order to demonstrate conversions in the kilogram to the metric tonne range. These reactors are designed in accordance with ATEX specifications (Zone 2).

 

Particularly noteworthy are:

  • Stirred tank reactors for discontinuous reactions under atmospheric conditions with a capacity of 1, 10 and 100 liters
  • Stirred tank reactors to represent pressure reactions up to 200 bar at 300°C with a capacity of 0.3, 1.2 and 50 liters, suitable for homogeneously and heterogeneously catalyzed reactions in the gas and liquid phase
  • Flow tube reactors for high-pressure reactions on laboratory and pilot scale for the conversion of biogenic material flows, also in the gas phase

Brochures and product sheets