Up-scaling a Sol-Gel Process for the Production of a Multi-Component Xerogel Powder

Barbara Pföss; Jonathan Caldi; Sutida Jansod; Christophe Allemann; Pierre Brodard; Roger Marti

doi:10.2533/chimia.2024.142

CHIMIA (Mar 2024)

Up-scaling a Sol-Gel Process for the Production of a Multi-Component Xerogel Powder

Barbara Pföss,
Jonathan Caldi,
Sutida Jansod,
Christophe Allemann,
Pierre Brodard,
Roger Marti

Affiliations

Barbara Pföss: Institute Straumann AG, Peter Merian-Weg 12, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland
Jonathan Caldi: Institute of Chemical Technology, Haute école d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture Fribourg, HESSO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Sutida Jansod: Institute of Chemical Technology, Haute école d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture Fribourg, HESSO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Christophe Allemann: Institute of Chemical Technology, Haute école d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture Fribourg, HESSO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Pierre Brodard: Institute of Chemical Technology, Haute école d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture Fribourg, HESSO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Roger Marti: Institute of Chemical Technology, Haute école d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture Fribourg, HESSO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2024.142
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 78, no. 3

Abstract

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A sol-gel process for the synthesis of a multi-component oxide material from the system SiO2-ZrO2-Al2O3underwent optimization and up-scaling. Initially, on a laboratory scale, components including precursors, catalysts, and additives were methodically evaluated to ensure a safe and efficient transition to larger volumes. Subsequently, the equipment for the whole setup of the sol-gel process was strategically selected. Leveraging insights from these optimizations, the process was successfully scaled-up to pilot-scale operation, conducting hydrolysis, condensation reactions, gelation, aging, and drying within a single, integrated conical dryer system for an 80 L batch. A visual test and FTIR spectroscopy were applied for process control and monitoring.

Published in CHIMIA

ISSN: 0009-4293 (Print); 2673-2424 (Online)
Publisher: Swiss Chemical Society
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry
Website: http://chimia.ch

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