Short Description
The chemical laboratory at BEST is specialized in the analysis of biogenic residues and samples. Comprehensive characterization of solid biofuels as well as products and residues from thermochemical conversion processes forms a fundamental basis for the development and validation of technologies for the energetic utilization of biomass.
The laboratory’s analytical portfolio comprises established methods as well as project-specific developments, all carried out by qualified personnel using state-of-the-art equipment. Collaborations with scientific partner institutions allow access to additional analytical methods and capacities when required. For specific questions arising in the context of ongoing research projects, suitable analytical strategies and metrological solutions are developed in close coordination with project partners.
Contact Person
Kai Schulze
Research Services
Key areas of work include:
• Material characterization (e.g. fuel analysis, fuel and biochar design, catalyst investigation)
• Process-related investigations (e.g. biomass conditioning, thermochemical conversion processes, gas cleaning)
• Fractionated utilization of biogenic resources for increased material and energetic value creation
The determination of chemical composition and physico-chemical properties is possible from minimal sample quantities (in the milligram range), enabling assessments of both technical applicability and potential challenges in practical use.
Participation in interlaboratory comparisons ensures ongoing quality control and the accuracy of results. Within the scope of national and international collaborations, analytical data are transferred into structured databases and used for further development of simulation models and standardization processes (e.g. for solid biofuels).
Experimental results are combined with methods from materials science, process engineering, simulation, and control technology to enable an integrated understanding of mass flows and reaction mechanisms in bioenergy conversion. Analytical activities support research and development in both publicly funded projects and industrial partnerships.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The laboratory's main field of expertise lies in the development of innovative analytical methods for a wide range of analytes in the following sample matrices:
• Fuels and energetically usable residues
• Ashes, charcoal, slags, and depositions
• Condensates, and sludges
• Fine particulate matter / gaseous emissions
Typical analyses
• Moisture, ash, heating value, CHNS, volatile content of fuels
• Ash forming elements and critical emission parameters
• Melting characteristics of ashes
• Corrosive compounds in depositions and condensates
• Elemental characterisation and carbon speciation of size-fractionated fine particulates
Equipment
• Mechanical sample preparation
• Microwave digestion units
• Atomic Spectrometry (AAS, ICPOES, ICPMS)
• UV/VIS-spectrometry
• Chromatography (IC, LC-DAD, GC-FID/MS)
• CHN-analysis
• Multiphase-CH-analysis
• Calorimetry
• Thermal Analysis (DTA/TG, DSC, TGAMS)
• Hot stage microscopy up to 1500 °C
• Electron microscopy (SEM, EDX, TEM)
• X-Ray diffractometry for mineral phases
• X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry
• Particle size analysis (sieving, laser diffraction, high-speed camera)
• Measurement of gaseous emissions (FID, NIR, CLD, FTIR, μGC)
• Specific surface area (BET)