Trade press release
2,500 Mobile Minor® as R&D standard for testing small product batches
13 Jul 2021
GEA equipment forms the reliable basis for numerous projects of many research institutions. The latest example is the support of the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM-ESS) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with GEA's flexible and user-friendly Mobile Minor® spray dryer.
In the MOBILE MINOR®, small quantities of solutions, suspensions or emulsions can be dried into representative powder samples, facilitating the retrieval of the process data required for scaling-up to industrial production. It is a flexible and easy-to-handle spray dryer which has become standard equipment in the R&D departments of many leading manufacturers, independent research institutes and universities worldwide. (Photo: GEA)
The technology is now standard equipment in the research and development departments of many leading manufacturers, independent research institutes and universities around the world - like KIT now. With more than 9,000 employees, KIT is one of the largest scientific institutions in Europe and meets global challenges in the fields of energy transition, future mobility, and technologies for the information society through pioneering research contributions. The IAM-ESS currently has three Mobile Minor®. A total of 2,500 Mobile Minor® from GEA have now been installed worldwide.
GEA's Mobile Minor® in practice at the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM-ESS) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Sample quantities of just a few grams are sufficient to evaluate new or improved battery materials with regard to potential application in lithium-ion batteries. However, if a material shows promising electrochemical properties, its performance must be validated on a larger scale. With the Mobile Minor®, small to medium quantities of solutions, suspensions or emulsions can be dried into representative powder samples. In this way, the process data required for industrial use of the production are determined.
GEA supplied the MM-100 spray dryer for KTI, which is the latest addition to GEA's Mobile Minor® range. It is equipped with the new and highly efficient Cyclone CEE (Cyclone Extra Efficiency). It has an improved design while maintaining the same compact footprint. The newly developed Cyclone CEE offers higher separation efficiency, which both increases the available yield and reduces emissions.
High flexibility in ceramics research to develop innovative battery materials
GEA and the Institute for Applied Materials at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have been partners for decades. The institute conducts research into the production of novel materials for energy storage, for example for Li-ion batteries (LiBs) and post-lithium systems. One focus is on better understanding materials chemistry and design, as well as developing ceramic processes that enable the production of future-proof components and resources.
As early as 1994, the institute had two Mobile Minor® in operation, one of which is still active in various research areas. A third unit was added a few years ago. Now KIT ordered two new Mobile Minor®, one of which - the anniversary Mobile Minor® - made GEA's 2,500th sale to customers for R&D applications.
A medium-sized synthesis plant is being built at KIT, where two Mobile Minor® spray dryers will be used to produce the required battery materials. The synthesis pilot plant with the two Mobile Minor® will fulfill the following tasks:
- Transfer from small-scale laboratory synthesis to scalable processes.
- Production of multiple materials for the manufacture of large lithium-ion battery cells
- Production of a few selected materials for the manufacture of battery systems
The key requirements for the facility are maintaining powder quality during scale-up and ensuring reproducibility. The medium-scale synthesis plant enables both a reliable process for material synthesis and a high degree of flexibility in material and process optimization.
Contact
Dr. Michael Golek
Media Relations
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
Peter-Müller-Str. 12
40468
Düsseldorf
Germany
+49 211 9136-0
About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.
