Research Core areas of EgiChem group

Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Supercritical Fluid Extraction

EgiChem has been working with supercritical fluid extraction technology within the scope of biorefinery, where biomass residues are characterized and extracted aiming at their valorization. This research areas also involves modeling, simulation, scale-up and economic evaluation studies.

Extraction and characterization of vegetable biomass

Extraction and characterization of vegetable biomass

EgiChem team has skills on studying vegetable biomass from the very first steps of obtaining an extract and performing its characterization. Analytical techniques such as GC-MS and HPLC can be employed for this purpose, and the closeness to agroforestry chemistry partners is an advantage.

Simulated Moving Bed

Simulated Moving Bed

SMB is a continuous chromatographic separation technique. EgiChem research focuses on the purification of compounds with pharmaceutical interest, and in development of SMB process and optimization strategies.

Molecular Dynamics

Molecular Dynamics

EgiChem, in collaboration with Dr. José R.B. Gomes, have been studying diffusion properties of diverse molecules by classical Molecular Dynamics simulation. The GROMACS package has been used coupled with the most accurate force fields, such as OPLS and EPM2 in the case of supercritical carbon dioxide.

Transport Properties

Transport Properties

Egichem research covers transport properties through the measurement and modelling of diffusion coefficients. Some of the best models currently found in literature for correlation and prevision of diffusion coefficientes were published by Egichem researchers.

Air Purification

Air Purification

EgiChem has been working on air purification technology, developing and testing new materials to adsorb contaminants from air. An experimental apparatus was developed to test the adsorption and regeneration capacity of several adsorbents. The results obtained are later used in the simulation of a PTSA (Pressure - Temperature Swing Adsorption) in order to simulate a real air purifier with regenerable adsorbent.

Degradation of Insulating Materials

Degradation of Insulating Materials

EgiChem, in partnership with EFACEC, has been analyzing the degradation of insulation materials present in transformer oil. This study involves the preparation of accelerated aging tests, the application of analytical techniques, such as GC and HPLC, and other physicochemical analysis to assess transformer oil quality. This work is done in collaboration with Dr. Mário Simões.

Characterization and Purification of rCB

Characterization and Purification of rCB

EgiChem, in a partnership with BB&G-AWES, has been involved in the study of recovered carbon black (rCB) formed during the pyrolysis process of end-of-life tires. Characterization techniques have been applied to determine physical, chemical and morphological properties of this material. Purification methods have also been evaluated in order to meet the market specifications.

Zeolitic Heat Exchangers

Zeolitic Heat Exchangers

EgiChem models and simulates the four steps of the cyclic adsorption-desorption process (isobaric adsorption, isosteric heating, isobaric desorption, isosteric cooling), in order to evaluate the behavior of the systems (in terms of temperature, pressure, adsorbed concentration) and optimize the heating or cooling performance. This work is done in collaboration with Dr. Anabela Valente.

Synthesis and characterization of lanthanide titanosilicates

Synthesis and characterization of lanthanide titanosilicates

EgiChem collaborates on the synthesis and characterization of lanthanide silicates for applications in ion exchange and sensing studies. The main purpose is to take advantage of their photoluminescent properties together with its microporous frameworks, to sense Cesium ion in aqueous solutions. The materials science part of the work is supervised by Professor João Rocha.

Membranes

Membranes

EgiChem contribute to membranes field has been achieved through the conjugation of synthesis, structural characterization, measurement of permeances and modeling of new inorganic membranes. This work is done in collaboration with Dr. Zhi Lin and Professor João Rocha.

Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange

EgiChem research on ion exchange has covered the issue of water pollutant removal through modeling and measurement of heavy metals removal from water solutions with the aid of titanosilicate materials.

Oligomerization

Oligomerization

Catalytic reaction has been addressed by EgiChem researchers, in collaboration Dr. Anabela Valente, through the synthesis and characterization of catalysts for applications such as the oligomerization of light alcenes to diesel.

Modeling and Simulation

Modeling and Simulation

EgiChem possesses solid competencies on modeling and simulation. Comprehensive modeling of equilibra and mass transport phenomena are two important examples, individually or incorporated in specific separation technologies mainly supported by Matlab software. Simulation and optimization of case-study or real industrial processes has also been done with resort to Aspen One software.