Separation Science

Separation materials play a central role in achieving an efficient separation process. We modify existing separation materials, such membranes and filtration fabrics, by coating them, for example, with thin layers of metal or polymer. An essential part of developing separation materials and understanding their phenomena is the ability to characterise their properties. Our unit is developing new methods for property characterisation.

Parametric optimisation is used to improve separation efficiency and to minimise contamination. For example, by monitoring crystallisation in real time, it is possible to effectively separate molecules that are near identical from one another.

Our research in separation has focused on regeneration of separation materials. In other words, we study how separation materials can be re-used to ensure that they generate less waste. The capacity for regeneration of materials is a key issue from both an ecological and economic point of view.

We develop purification techniques for materials and study how they become contaminated and how contamination can be reduced by optimising separation parameters and modifying materials.

The Earth's limited volume of natural resources leads to a need for recovering smaller and smaller concentrations. The effectiveness requirements for separation processes have further increased for this very reason, and different hybrid processes, i.e. processes that comprise many methods, have become more common.

We research these different separation technique combinations, as well as ways of combining them with biological processes, catalysis and oxidation.

In addition to experimental research, we have worked to develop modelling and simulation methods. This work focuses on modelling unit operations, as well as on hybrid process simulation and modelling concepts. These new tools allow us to minimise the experimental work needed for the optimisation of processes.