Water, Liquid Fuels and Process Gases Filtration Laboratory The topics integrating the area of research work are broadly understood filtration processes, in particular including depth filters for water purification and coalescing filters for separating W/O emulsions (fuel dewatering) and O/W (water deoiling) and separation of oil and/or water mist from gas. The research focuses on the optimization of filter nonwovens in terms of structural parameters, as well as methods of their modification, giving the filtration partitions specific functional features adapted to specific applications. As part of the work, research is carried out on filter composites with bacteriostatic properties (filtration of water and biofuels), as well as chemical and plasma modifications of filtration structures that give the fibers the desired surface properties, which allows to achieve high separation efficiency, guarantee their high flexibility of operation in changing operating conditions and at the same time, extend the life of the filter elements.

The new research trend undertaken by the team concerns micropollutants in water, in particular microplastics and pharmaceutical compounds. As part of the second issue, the works include the decomposition of organic compounds and their sorption on a properly prepared sorbent and the development of water purification systems using composite particles in the integrated photocatalysis-sorption process carried out in a fixed or fluidized bed.

Team members:

Leader

Staff

Available research equipment:

• Installation for testing coalescing filters and water separators - a system equipped with three different types of test housings, allowing testing of water filters, diesel oil with the addition of solid particles in a wide range of element sizes in accordance with industry standards, as well as flat structures (maximum dimensions of cylindrical elements are outer diameter approx. 152 mm and length 600 mm);
• Installation for testing filters with bacteriostatic additives - an innovative system of own design designed to assess the effectiveness of filters and their susceptibility to blocking as a result of the development of microorganisms inside the filtration structure in the aquatic environment;
• System for testing the effectiveness of water filters contaminated with abiotic particles (e.g. test dusts, microplastics);
• Pervaporation process research system;
• PALAS HFP 2000 commercial test kit for testing coalescing filters for separation of liquid aerosols (removal of liquid droplets from gases) - possibility of testing flat (single or multi-layer) or cylindrical structures mounted horizontally or vertically;
• Titrando 851 coulometric titrator by Metrohm (determination of water content by Karl Fischer method);
• Spectrophotometers: FTIR Nicolet is10 and UV-VIS NanoDrop OneC;
• Biostat B bioreactor (5L);
• Laminar chamber, incubator, sterilizer;
• Particle/droplet counters: Spectrex PC2100, Welas 1000, Ultra DI 50, LiQuilaz;
• DataPhysics OCA 25 goniometer with tilt base.

Offer of the laboratory:

• Efficiency testing of water, fuel and gas filters;
• Determination of operational and structural parameters of non-woven filter materials;
• Development of filtration systems, from the process concept to the selection and dimensioning of separation devices in the process line;
• Selection and modification of filter materials for specific applications;
• Microbiological tests to determine the adhesion and growth of microorganisms in the filter media and their presence in the treated liquids.