Laboratory of Transport Phenomena and Unit Operations
The Laboratory of Transport Phenomena and Unit Operations (LaFTOP) is part of the Chemical Engineering Program at the Alegre/ES Southern Campus. It occupies an area of 93 m², housing equipment and workbenches used for teaching, research, and outreach activities. This infrastructure supports the scientific projects conducted by the group and contributes to the academic training of students and researchers.
Equipment
Here are the laboratory’s available instruments, used for conducting experimental activities and the research carried out by the group.
Fluidized Jet Bed Bench
This experimental bench allows the study of particle behavior in fluidization and jet regimes, where a fluid (usually air) promotes the movement and suspension of solid particles. The system enables the analysis of phenomena such as mixing, heat and mass transfer, drying, coating, and chemical reactions. It is a fundamental piece of equipment in research involving process engineering, particularly in operations with particulate systems and industrial applications.
Filter Press
The filter press is a solid-liquid separation device that operates by applying pressure, forcing the fluid to pass through a filtering medium while retaining the solids. This process results in the formation of a filtration “cake,” allowing for efficient solid recovery and liquid clarification. It is widely used in industrial and laboratory processes and is essential for studies of filtration, dewatering, and suspension treatment.
Knife Mill
The knife mill is used to reduce the size of solid particles through the action of high-speed rotating blades. This process is essential for sample preparation, ensuring an appropriate particle size for subsequent analyses or for use in various unit operations. The equipment is widely used in the processing of biomass, food, polymers, and other materials, contributing to particle homogenization and increased surface area.
3D Printer
The 3D printer enables the fabrication of three-dimensional objects from digital models through the controlled deposition of material in successive layers. In the laboratory, it serves as a versatile tool for creating prototypes, experimental devices, custom supports, and tailor-made parts. Its use contributes to faster project development, cost reduction, and greater autonomy in producing specific components, allowing for the rapid testing of new ideas and solutions.
Convective Dryer
The convective dryer is used to remove moisture from materials through the circulation of heated air, promoting simultaneous heat and mass transfer. This equipment allows for the evaluation of drying kinetics, thermal behavior, and physical characteristics of materials during the process. It is widely employed in studies involving food, agricultural products, biomaterials, and particulate systems, and is essential for the development and optimization of industrial drying processes.
Adsorption Column
The adsorption column is used to study separation and purification processes based on the interaction between a fluid and a solid adsorbent. In this system, compounds present in the liquid or gas phase are retained on the surface of the solid material, allowing their removal or recovery. The equipment enables the analysis of breakthrough curves, adsorption capacity, and process efficiency, and is widely applied in effluent treatment, substance purification, and industrial processes.
Gas and Vacuum Pyrolysis Furnace
This furnace is designed for pyrolysis processes, in which materials are subjected to high temperatures in a controlled atmosphere with low or no oxygen. The ability to operate with inert gas and under vacuum allows precise control of experimental conditions, facilitating studies on thermal decomposition, production of biochar, bio-oil, and combustible gases. It is a fundamental piece of equipment for research focused on biomass conversion, waste treatment, and the development of new materials.
Gas Pycnometer
The gas pycnometer is a high-precision instrument used to determine the true density of solid materials, particularly powders, granules, and porous materials. Its operation is based on the displacement of an inert gas, usually helium, which penetrates the accessible pores of the material, allowing extremely precise volume measurements. This type of analysis is essential for the physical characterization of materials and is widely applied in scientific research, quality control, and the development of new products such as catalysts, biomaterials, and particulate materials.