News & Events
New publications in SIMPLI-DEMO
December 2024
We are pleased to announce the publication of further papers resulting from research conducted as part of the SIMPLI-DEMO project!
In the work of Goris et al., novel numerical models were developed and validated to offer new strategies in modelling sonochemical reactors. The article will appear in the journal ‘Ultrasonics Sonochemistry’ (Vol. 112) in January 2025.
In the work of Zhang et al., the effects of ultrasound on reactive crystallization and particle properties of an aromatic amine in batch and continuous modes was investigated. The work appeared in ‘Ultrasonics Sonochemistry’ (Vol. 111) in December 2024.
This and other publications can be found under our ‘Outcomes’ section.
Fraunhofer ICT presents SIMPLI-DEMO technology at the Fakuma trade fair in Germany
October 15-19, 2024
Our partners at the Fraunhofer ICT exhibited at the Fakuma trade fair in Friedrichshafen (Germany)!
One highlight was the presentation of a technology developed in SIMPLI-DEMO:
Reactive extrusion for the production of polymer-based fine chemicals (such as colour additives HEUR/HMPE) with alternative energy sources.
SIMPLI-DEMO consortium meets with industry representatives
October 9-10, 2024
Hosted by our partners from the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, we were able to look back on a successful first half of the SIMPLI-DEMO project having our 6th Consortium Meeting. Thus, we were able to achieve the successful design of models for process operation in our four use cases as well as plant-building blocks (COBR and REX) that were adapted for the actuation of microwaves and ultrasounds.
We were delighted to welcome the members of the project’s own Industrial Stakeholder Panel (ISP) for the first time. At the premises of the Edinburgh Business School, we received nine representatives of the international chemical industry and hold a fruitful discussion about the definition of requirements in the different application areas of our work. The ISP members provided us with highly valuable feedback and suggestions for the future implementation of the results in industry.
We would like to thank all participants for attending and Heriot-Watt University for the warm welcome!
SIMPLI-DEMO at the Horizon Europe mid-term event in Düsseldorf (DE)
March 14, 2024
We had the opportunity to present the SIMPLI-DEMO project at the event „Horizon Europe.NRW – Erfolge im Blick“ at the Van der Valk Hotel in Düsseldorf (Germany). As part of the accompanying exhibition, we were able to present SIMPLI-DEMO’s innovative approach to automation and process optimisation in the chemical process industry.
During the event, representatives of European, national and regional research policy reflected on the status of the participation of the german federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in Horizon Europe and offered an outlook on future developments in European research funding.
NRW has a high level of participation in Horizon Europe. We are pleased to have made contact with many other projects that are also endeavouring to transfer scientific knowledge to society and the economy through the market exploitation of excellent R&D results. NRW is strongly positioned throughout Europe as a centre of science and innovation, particularly in the fields of ICT, nanotechnology, production technology, new materials and biotechnology.
New publication in the context of SIMPLI-DEMO
March, 2024
We are pleased to announce that a new publication has been released in Chemical Engineering and Processing – Process Intensification!
In this work, titled „Importance of design and operating parameters in a sonication system for viscous solutions: effects of input power, horn tip diameter and reactor capacity“, our researchers from KU Leuven investigated the distribution of ultrasound fields in a batch system for a wide variety of configurations, focusing on mixtures of increasing viscosity. This way we want to enhance the understanding on how ultrasound effects change during the sonication of viscous media.
Joint research visit to COATEX (Arkema)
November 30, 2023
In the last week of November, our university partners from KU Leuven and National Technical University of Athens visited the Coatex (Arkema) site, one of our main partners in the SIMPLI-DEMO project.
During the stay, the researchers from our partner organisations had the opportunity to visit the synthesis laboratories of Coatex’s R&D department, where they were able to brainstorm on how to optimise the conventional process for the synthesis of specialty polymers and particles.
They also had the opportunity to visit the formulation lab, where we learned more about how high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) can be used to adjust the rheological properties of paints.
Fourth consortium meeting states results of the first project year
September 12-13, 2023
The fourth meeting of the entire research consortium – this time in virtual space – demonstrated the progress of the project.
The consortium expects the work results of the first project year to lead to a successful development of modular systems for uninterrupted modular flow operation allowing for decentralised production in process industry.
The success of the research cooperation – considering the versatile focus of work – paves the way to the first pilot-scale system for continuous multiphase reactions.
Successful research meeting in Pau, France (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
August, 2023
Our research partners from LeiKon GmbH, ARKEMA, TU Dortmund and KU Leuven had a meeting on the company premises of ARKEMA France in Lacq, close to Pau and nearby the nice area of the Pyrénées. In this context, our researchers visited the pilot plant of a COBR (Continuous Oscillatory Baffled Reactor) and discussed the aspired automation strategy and technologies.
Thrid consortium meeting at GE Healthcare in Norway
June 19-20, 2023
On 19 and 20 June, the SIMPLI-DEMO consortium met face-to-face for the third time. This time we were hosted by our Norwegian partners from GE Healthcare in the southern coastal town of Mandal. At the meeting, progress was made on our four use studies and collaboration on research tasks was deepened.
A highlight was the tour of GE Healthcare’s premises at the Lindesnes site, which gave the partners a comprehensive impression of the overall crystallisation process on the production site.
KU Leuven and AristEng S.à r.l. participated in EPIC8 in Warsaw
June 4-6, 2023
We are pleased to have the opportunity to discuss SIMPLI-DEMO topics at the 8th European process intensification conference (EPIC8). This year’s edition of the conference took place from 4-6 June in Warsaw, Poland.
Our partners from KU Leuven disseminated the SIMPLI-DEMO project by giving a poster presentation on the influence of the liquid viscosity on ultrasound propagation, both experimentally as numerically. We are pleased to announce that the first scientific publication in the SIMPLI-DEMO project has emerged in this context (see: https://lnkd.in/e_jygzp3).
Our partners from AristEng had the opportunity to present the work in SIMPLI-DEMO at their own exhibition stand as part of a Silver Package partnership.
Megara Resins exhibited at the European Coatings Show 2023 in Nuremberg
March 28-30, 2023
Our SIMPLI-DEMO partner Megara Resins, a recognised performance leader in the chemical process industry, exhibited at the European Coatings Show 2023, which took place in Nuremberg, Germany, from 28 to 30 March 2023. The event is considered the leading trade fair for the international coatings industry and is held every two years. It gathers numerous international paint and coatings specialists.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for the various players in the industry to learn about and discuss new techniques and the latest developments in raw materials, additives, chemical intermediates and laboratory and production equipment.
In front of a large audience, Megara Resins was able to draw attention to the specific objectives and activities of the SIMPLI-DEMO project. In this context, the innovative approach of SIMPLI-DEMO was perceived as an impetus to promote new products and stimulate sustainable forms of process optimisation in the industry.
2nd Consortium meeting in Pfinztal, Germany
February 13-14, 2023
On 13 and 14 February 2023, the second SIMPLI-DEMO consortium meeting took place at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in Pfinztal, Germany.
The consortium meeting, which was attended by representatives of all partners, dealt with questions on the development and validation of an automated modular reactive extrusion and COBR system at pilot scale.
In the course of this, the progress of the four case studies was discussed by the respective partners in work packages 1 and 2. The topic of sustainability and techno-economic evaluation was also discussed at the meeting.
Furthermore, the partners talked about their communication and dissemination strategy and activities.
The next meeting of the consortium will take place in Lindesness, Norway in early summer.
First project presentation in Luxembourg
November 8, 2022
On November 8, numerous young and established companies from Luxembourg in the fields of mechanical engineering, energy storage, chemistry, space & sustainability, electrical/electronic manufacturing, renewable energies & environment met at the Chambre de commerce of Luxembourg. At the workshop „Engaging in Horizon Europe projects: What’s first?“, they discussed what are the important first actions to take to engage in European R&D projects.
The SIMPLI-DEMO consortium partner AristEng was invited by Luxinnovation – Luxembourg’s national innovation agency – as a success story in the framework of Horizon Europe projects. The main idea of SIMPLI-DEMO project was discussed during the presentation, highlighting the main goals of the project.
SIMPLI-DEMO Kick-off meeting
October 19-20, 2022
In October, the 13 consortium partners, consisting of academia, industry manufacturers and service and technology providers, met for the first time in Leuven, Belgium. The meeting marks the start of four years of close collaboration between the partners.
Together they have set themselves the goal of carrying out a pioneering project of change from batch to continuous and modular production in the process industry. From now on, they will work together to find new sustainable and competitive ways in the production of materials and chemicals.