CHNS DETERMINATION IN BIOMASS AND WASTE: THE SUCCESS STORY AT THE INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO IN LISBON

Since its establishment in 1911, Instituto Superior Técnico has been the largest and most highly regarded school of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Architecture in Portugal. IST offers high-quality education with a strong emphasis on Research, Development, and Innovation activities, immersing students in an exciting and global environment focused on addressing the challenges of the 21^st century.
 

Among the various research centers, the CERENA - Center of Natural Resources and Environment, a medium-sized R&D unit, pursues the mission of developing research related to mining engineering, geosciences, chemical engineering, materials engineering, and geophysics, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources as energy.
 

The Sustainable Materials Research lab is part of the CERENA. It is comprised of approximately 25 dedicated members and collaborators, and is at the forefront of developing innovative strategies for the upcycling of biomass and waste materials, to generate high-value chemicals materials and bio-based energy carriers.

The CERENA’s research group focus lies in transforming diverse biomass and waste streams into valuable chemical feedstocks, polymers, and biofuels.

By harnessing advanced techniques in biomass liquefaction, polymer chemistry, and natural compound extraction, the group led by Rui Galhano dos Santos, assistant professor at IST's Chemical Engineering Department (DEQ),  aims to maximize resource utilization and minimize waste. This rigorous scientific approach, coupled with a strong emphasis on green chemistry principles, enables the development of scalable and industrially viable processes.

 

"By pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, we are paving the way for a circular bioeconomy where biomass and waste are valued as renewable resources. Our vision is a future where sustainable practices are integrated into the chemical manufacturing process, and our research plays a pivotal role in driving this transformation." Rui Galhano Santos, Assistant Professor at DEQ and CERENA’s Researcher

The Sustainable Materials Research Lab has always outsourced analysis to an external partner; this caused delays in obtaining results and led to high long-term costs. For this reason, they sought the support of their trusted partner and after attending VELP in-depth training and seeing the EMA 502 CHNS-O Elemental Analyzers in action,they were convinced that it was the right solutions to invest in.

The EMA 502 CHNS-O Elemental Analyzers emerged as an excellence promises long-term independence, cost savings and a number of other advantages such as:

• Improved Efficiency: the EMA 502 delivers CHNS results in a matter of minutes with minimal sample preparation, significantly reducing turnaround time;

• Exceptional Accuracy and Precision: designed for optimal reliability and accuracy, the TCD detection technology guarantees highly precise and consistent results. The precision has been validated using standard samples by the Laboratori Mat Control;

• Enhanced Safety and Environmental Responsibility: employing the flash combustion method, the EMA 502 eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, promoting lab safety and minimizing environmental impact;

• Streamlined Operation: fully automated operation minimizes the need for constant operator supervision, maximizing instrument uptime and reducing downtime;

• Adaptability and Versatility: compatible with both helium and argon as carrier gases, the EMA 502 accommodates a wide range of sample types.

The EMA 502 can work with the VELP Ermes cloud platform, providing additional benefits which for  CERENA’s research group are mainly related to:
 

• Remote Monitoring and Control: this enables to manage operations and monitor instrument remotly, as well as obtain results in a more efficient way, decreasing the waiting time and thus the delay in the research;

• Timely Support and Maintenance: facilitates immediate access to technical support and maintenance services, ensuring prompt resolution of issues and minimal downtime.

 

"The EMA 502 has been a game-changer in our laboratory. Its precision and efficiency have significantly improved our research capabilities. We've consistently achieved accurate results and reduced turnaround times, allowing us to focus on data analysis and groundbreaking discoveries." Rui Galhano Santos, Assistant Professor at DEQ and CERENA’s Researcher