Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau University of Applied Sciences Zwickau
Chair/Group Process and Recycling Engineering
B. Gemende, A. Gerbeth, R. Hahn, T. Mehlhorn, N. Pausch, S. Röhlig, H. Stemmler: Project survey on the use of residuals and renewable materials for closed material loops (“From waste to energy & substance“)
ContentsP
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• Present funded projects (only 3 …, 2 ending 2012)• Introduction – Objectives• Projects
- Microbial Fuel Cell for “Energy Harvesting“ in Aquaculture- Modular Disinfection and Filtration System- Ion Exchange Materials Based on Renewable Resources- Modification of Sorbents for Gas Cleaning Processes- Resource Conserving and Energy Efficient Processes for Water
Cleaning in Aquaculture
• Summary - Cooperation Interest
Present (Publically Funded) Research Projects and Problems!P
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Title Funding DurationMember of
Staff
Sauerstoffeintrag mit Membrankontaktoren(Oxygen Supply with Membrane
Contactors)ZIM
2009…2012
(A. Gerbeth)T. Mehlhorn
Mikrobiologische Brennstoffzelle für die Aquakultur
(Microbial Fuel Cell for Aquaculture)FHprofUnt
2011…2014
A. Gerbeth
Modulares Entkeimungs- und Filtrationssystem
(Modular Disinfection and Filtration System)
ZIM2010…2012
R. HahnN. PauschS. Röhlig
Introduction – Objective of this PresentationP
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• Presenting the group (at “work” below)• Inviting for “electric” cooperation (some also below “cooperating”)• Improving the
“Application Paradox …”“Tiger must jump 10 times to catch the prey!” (CZ biologist, Liberec, 1995: planned to established a rhinoceros reserve in … South Bohemia … and was/became a perfect nature conservationist!)
1 Microbial Fuel Cell for “Energy Harvesting“ in AquacultureP
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Objectives:• Direct utilization of differences in electrochemical (redox) potentials of
different fluid media (e.g. sludge, sediment, waste water)• Current generation by (indigenous) microorganisms and simultaneous
degradation of organic matter and pollutants• Alternative energy supply for e.g. measuring, control etc. instruments
Proton exchange
membrane
H+
e-e-
Air sparger
Air seal
Anode(with micro-organisms)
Cathode
Inlet
O2CO2
Outlet
Substrate,nutrients
Resistance
Anaerobechamber
Aerobe chamber
1 Microbial Fuel Cell for “Energy Harvesting“ in AquacultureP
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Main Tasks:• Development and optimization of new cell designs
(3-chamber cells)• Application of (ion exchange) membranes as separation
elements• Optimization of electrode geometry and materials
[GERBETH et al., 2007]
1 Microbial Fuel Cell for “Energy Harvesting“ in AquacultureP
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Electric power for a laboratory MFC with two separately connected anodes A1/A2[PESCHEL, 2008]
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 5 10 15 20 25
Leis
tung
(in
mW
)
Zeit (in d)
Leistung A1
Leistung A2
• Anode area 1.056 cm2
• Internal cell resistance ~ 130 Ω
• Maximum cell power 25…30 mW per anode (i.e. 250…300 mW/m2)
2 Modular Disinfection and Filtration SystemP
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Motivation:• Specific requirements for microbiological parameters for the water
used in air conditioning/cooling systems (avoidance of the danger of contaminating air with hazardous bacteria etc.)
• Problems in water processing (addition of chemicals that are harmful for the environment (biocides), high expenses for control and cleaning)
Objective:Development of a systems for simultaneous disinfection and filtration based on the application of conductive titan oxide ceramics
Partners from Industry/Universities and Institutes:• Online Fluid Sensoric GmbH, Ronneburg• Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Institut für
Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnologie)
2 Modular Disinfection and Filtration SystemP
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Main Tasks:• Planning/designing and production of a test module• Establishing electrical contact of the porous ceramics (permanently
protected against fluid media)• Optimization of filtration and electrolysis parameters (generation of
free chlorine)
2 Modular Disinfection and Filtration SystemP
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0,0
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5,0
7,5
10,0
12,5
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200
250
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
pH
val
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Co
nce
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f fr
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g/l]
Cu
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A]
Flo
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[ml/
min
]; D
iffe
nti
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ress
ure
[m
bar
]
Time [min]
Concentration free chlorine (anode)
Concentration free chlorine (feed)
Electric current
Filtrate flow rate (anode)
Filtrate flow rate (cathode)
Average differential pressure
pH value of filtrate (anode)
pH value of filtrate (cathode)
Generation of free chlorine with laboratory scale test system (voltage 77 V, model electrolyte with ~ 33 mg/l NaCl)
*?? HAHN, GERBETH … et al., 2013 (Spicak)]
3 Ion Exchange Materials Based on Renewable ResourcesP
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Partners from Industry/Universities and Institutes:• Produktions- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Lauta• Fricke und Mallah Microwave Technology GmbH, Peine• Institut für Nichtklassische Chemie e.V. an der Universität Leipzig• Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen Vogtland e.V., Greiz
Objectives:• Provide an alternative for conventional ion exchange
material (IE) based on renewable resources – i.e. wood, natural fibres (hemp, ramie, flax etc.)
• Assurance of a high ion exchange capacity (IEC) for cations(by chemical modification of raw material, application of microwave energy for thermal process)
• Application areas: removal of heavy metals and/or hardness ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) – treatment of industrial process water, waste water, potable water
• Advantages: possibility of disposing loaded material by composting (or combustion), utilization in fertilizer processing
3 Ion Exchange Materials Based on Renewable ResourcesP
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Main Topics/Tasks:• Optimization of chemical modification process
(phosphorylation) of applied natural materials to increase IEC (and retain integrity/strength) – especially microwave application (e.g. field homogeneity, material heating) and reaction parameters (temperature, chemicals applied etc.)
• Development of a combined particle filter and ion exchange cartridge made of wound natural fibre yarn (e.g. hemp, ramie) *PAUSCH … et al., 2007…2011]
• Optimization of water cleaning process applying the IE material – including (fixed bed column) design, adaption of parameters (flow rates, pressure drop etc.)
• Concepts/experiments for treatment/disposal of loaded material
3 Ion Exchange Materials Based on Renewable ResourcesP
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Main Results:• Production process for lignocellulose bulk material (wood chops) successfully
implemented in technical/pilot scale (12 kW microwave system)• IE filter cartridge made of hemp material produced and tested in 5‘‘ scaleCurrent Activities:• Application of different fibre materials and alternative textile structures in IE
cartridge production• Development of adapted field strength sensors for optimized control of
microwave process
4 Modification of Sorbents for Gas Cleaning ProcessesP
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Objective:• Application of adsorption process for removal of
gaseous contaminants (especially hydrogen sulfide) from biogas, gas produced at landfill sites or waste water treatment plants
• Utilization of the cleaned gas: fuel cells, biomethane
Partners from Industry/Universities and Institutes:• Produktions- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Lauta• Schulz & Berger Luft- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, Altenburg• Lehmann Maschinenbau GmbH, Jocketa• Fraunhofer IKTS, Dresden• Institut für Nichtklassische Chemie e.V. an der Universität Leipzig• Technische Universität Dresden
smaller(!) thanSchmack GmbH (visited
13.06.12)
4 Modification of Sorbents for Gas Cleaning ProcessesP
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Main Tasks:• Production/modification and testing of different
adsorbents (impregnated/doped activated carbon, porous mineral support materials, sorbents containing iron)
• Optimization of process parameters (bed volume, flow rates, gas humidity etc.)
• Development of concepts for further use of loaded adsorbents (e.g. in agriculture)
[MEHLHORN et al., 2011]
5 Resource Conserving and Energy Efficient Processes for Water Cleaning in Aquaculture
Pro
cess
and
Re
cycl
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Engi
ne
erin
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Main Topics:• Implementation and optimization of a new biological water cleaning process –
aerobe and anaerobe processes for decontamination, application of membrane technology (microfiltration, MBR)
• Optimization of gas exchange processes and development of adapted solutions for oxygenation/degassing (CO2) – hydrodynamic principles, membrane contactors
• Closing material cycles by utilization of surplus biomass (as feed ingredient or for biogas production) and by-products from different industry sectors (as substrate for biomass)
• Power-heat-refrigeration coupling (absorption coldness driven by “waste” heat)
[Gerbeth et al., 2007…2012]
Summary – Cooperation InterestP
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We are interested in• your ideas• your cooperation• yourself(?) to
improve:“Tiger jump … ” energy/mass balance/efficiencies
and• to “feed” … the group!
Thanks for … attention and …
