RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

10 accurately and effectively account for large gas phase density gradients, the influence of the van der Waals forces and electrostatic forces in fluidized beds. The combination of both numerical studies and experiments is particularly fruitful. We have used these tools to understand and quantify the effect of gas extraction via immersed perm- selective membranes in fluidized beds regarding the extent of concentration polarization. We have been able to create whole-field gas concentration profiles in fluidized bed reactors, pushing our understanding of the gas-phase flows in these reactors forward. We have also improved our understanding of bubbly flows and, in anticipation of the electrification of the chemical industry, we have developed a model and an experimental technique to quantify the effect of bubble nucleation, which is of particular importance to bubble nucleation in electrochemical processes. Valorization and societal impact The Chemical Process Intensification group distinguishes itself through research topics that combine important present-day topics such as renewable energy, hydrogen production & CO 2 capture, environmentally benign solvents and the electrification of the chemical industry . An example of this is the ongoing collaboration with Prof. Kramer and Dr. Cazzani from Utrecht University and Shell in the field of dense energy carriers (through direct air capture). Moreover, we strive to be three steps ahead and develop the processes of the future to make the chemical industry safer and more sustainable. We collaborate with industrial partners in the majority of our projects and take part in a wide range of EU research projects where we collaborate with industry, academic partners and SMEs. This has resulted in patents with Shell, Sabic and Tecnalia as well as in a spin-off company called H2Site, created with Tecnalia and Engie, where Prof. Gallucci is the Chief Scientific Advisor. Our group educates a large number of students in the final phase of their engineering studies as we attract the highest number of students for bachelor’s and master’s graduation research projects in our department. Research facilities The SPI group owns state-of-the-art equipment for catalyst/sorbent characterization, membrane characterization and reactor characterization. The equipment list includes, but is not limited to, high-pressure high-temperature magnetic suspension balance, two TGAs, DSC, XRD, SEM, AES, viscometers, different membrane permeation setups, kinetic setups, a PRUSA 3D printer to print reactor internals, extensive reactor test rigs for packed/fluidized bed membrane reactors, chemical looping reactors and sorption-enhanced reactors with various MS, GCs and inline analyzers. Additionally, the group owns PC clusters for detailed modeling and has access to the central facilities of the Department of Chemical Engineering, such as EDX, XRF, TEM, etc. The group owns a technical workshop with two technicians for the design and building of prototype reactors. We also have a wide range of experimental setups developed in-house for gas-solid flow hydrodynamics; our IR/PIV/DIA setup and endoscopic-PIV setup allow measurements of mass and heat transfer and high-temperature fluidization using high-speed digital cameras. We have several fluidized bed setups with optical access in which the effect of liquid droplets on the hydrodynamics can be investigated. In addition, we have various optical gas-liquid flow setups, i.e., bubble columns and a bubble nucleation setup for the nucleation of bubbles on a substrate through supersaturation. In terms of modeling, the SPI group has various numerical models to simulate gas-solid reactive systems with and without membranes and/or chemical looping. We employ a discrete particle model developed in-house with integrated mass and heat transfer, the possibility for chemical