Custom NIR Model Development and Demonstration

Now you have the chance to employ customised Celignis NIR models for lignocellulosic composition, tailored to the specifics of your samples and conversion processes, on-site at your biomass conversion facility.

The coupling of our precise models with state-of-the-art equipment will enable dozens of samples to be analysed per day at minimal expense, a huge advantage over the standard chemical analysis methods which take several days per sample.

Our licensed custom models allow analysts with no expertise in chemometrics or in the analysis of the lignocellulosic composition of biomass to get analytical data in seconds. This allows you to rapidly evaluate the suitability of a particular feedstock for utilisation and the efficiency of your conversion process.

We target the development of a set of separate predictive models for each process node for which analysis is required. For example, if you are looking to determine the composition of corn stover both before and after pre-treatment then this would involve two sets of models. For each set we require around 40 samples that cover a wide variability in expected composition. These samples can be sent to us in the form you would like them to be analysed (e.g. containing moisture and of a variable particle size), providing that in this form they can be representatively presented to the analytical cell of the NIR device.

We then scan these samples with our NIR unit and assess the suitability of our existing predictive models for accurate compositional analysis. A number of samples will then undergo reference chemical analysis methods in order to ensure that accurate analytical data are obtained. While this analysis involves considerable extra expense for us, we only charge for the NIR analysis for each sample.

At the end of this stage will will supply you with accurate analytical data, based on NIR and chemical analysis, for all the samples received.

Based on the data obtained in Stage 1 we then develop a set of predictive models for lignocellulosic composition based on the NIR spectra of your samples. This model development is undertaken free of charge and we supply you with the performance statistics for these models (e.g R², standard error in prediction etc.). You can then decide whether you would like to go ahead with the purchase of the NIR equipment and the licensing of our models.

When the NIR equipment is installed on your site a software package is also included. This software allows access to the customised NIR models that we have developed for you. We license these models on an annual basis and the contract covers the maintenance of these models over that year. This maintenance includes the chemical analysis of a number of samples per month at our lab and the subsequent refinement and optimisation of the models. In this way the models will continue to be accurate as process conditions change over time.

For additional details on this service please email us at info@celignis.com or call us at (+353) 61 371 725.