• Equipment Used At Celignis
    For Analysis and Processing

Analytical



QTOF LCMS

Our Agilent 6550 iFunnel Q-TOF LC/MS system is used to screen for bioactives and other high value constituents in biomass



NIR Spectrophotometers

We have several FOSS XDS NIR devices. These have solid content modules, that can allow for samples of a heterogenous particle to be analysed, and liquid modules that allow liquids to be analysed via transmittance spectroscopy.



Ion Chromatography

A Dionex ICS-3000 system that is equipmed with electrochemical, conductivity, and ultraviolet-visible detectors.



Ash Melting Furnace

Our Carbolite CAF G5 BIO ash melting furnace can determine the characteristic ash deformation temperatures for biomass.



Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES)

Our lab is equipped with an Agilent 5110 ICP-OES which we use for the analysis of the major and minor elements in biomass and ash.



Surface Area and Porosity Analyser

NOVA 2200e Surface Area and Pore Size Analyser



Thermogravimetric Analyser

We have a TA Instruments Q500 TGA unit that allows us to monitor the weight loss of samples up to 1000C, using nitrogen, air, or other gases.



Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)

Our lab has an Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph (GC) coupled to an Agilent 5973 mass selective detector (Mass Spectrometer).



Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) Unit

We use an automated device, developed by Anaero Technologies, to determine the biochemical methane potential of biomass.



CDS Pyroprobe 5200

We use this item, coupled to our GC/MS system, to determine the S/G ratio in lignin.



Elemental Analyser

A Vario MACRO cube elemental analyser is used for the quantification of the Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur content of samples.



ArrayScan VTI with Brightfield Module

This unit offers the broadest set of capabilities for the large-scale study of cell biology (cellomics) in a single modular platform.



SEC/GPC

For size exclusion chromatography/gel permeation chromatography of polymers and oligomers.



Headpsace Sampler

Allows introduction of volatile compounds automatically into our GC or GC/MS systems.



Diode Array UV/Vis Detector (HPLC)

This unit can collect spectra at wavelengths between 190 to 800nm and is used for many HPLC analyses (e.g. pigments, organic acids, vitamins, etc.)



HPAEC-PAD

Electrochemical detection for the analysis of carbohydrates and amino acids via High Performance Anion Exchange Chomatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection



Conductivity Detection (HPLC)

For the analysis of anions and cations.



Microplate Readers

We have two units, one covering the 190-1000nm wavelength region and the other focused on fluorescence detection.



UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

A HP 8452A Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy device that is used for the determination of the acid soluble lignin concentration of the acid hydrolysate of samples.



Bomb Calorimeter

We use a Parr 6200 bomb calorimeter to determine the gross and net calorific value (higher and lower heating value) of samples.



Volatile Matter Furnace

We use a Carbolite Volatile Matter Furnace to determine the volatile matter and fixed carbon contents of samples.

Bioprocess Equipment



Sartorius Stedim Mueller 100L Bioreactor

This bioreactor has a working capacity of 100 litres and allows us to undertake scaled-up fermentations.



Sartorius C-DCU 15-Litre Fermenter

This unit allows for intermediate scale fermentations to take place.



Sartorius B-DCU Fermentation Systems

We have 10 Towers, allowing for simultaneous parallel fermentations using 1 litre to 5 litre bioreactors.



Additional Fermenters

We also have a number of fermentation control systems, from New Brunswick and Applikon, that can use bioreactors of up to 10 litres.



Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analysers

We have two of these systems, used for measuring the oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate of live cells.



Dynamic Contact Angle Measuring Instrument and Tensiometer

For the weight-based measurement of contact angle, surface and interfacial tension, critical micelle formation concentration, density, sedimentation and penetration rate, plus penetration resistance.



Surface Measurement System - DVS HT

For high quality, high-throughput, gravimetric sorption analysis.

Processing



Solvent Extractor

Dionex ASE-200 devices are used to determine the extractives (water-soluble, ethanol-soluble) contents of biomass samples.



Microwave Digestion System

For several analysis packages we use a CEM MARS 6 microwave digestor to prepare extracts/digests for analysis.



Sample Mills

A Retsch SM2000 heavy duty mill is used for processing larger samples and a FOSS Cyclotec 1093 mill for further particle size reduction.



Muffle Furnace

A Nabertherm furnace is used for the determination of the ash content of samples and also in the analytical protocol for determining Klason lignin content.



Sieve Shaker

A Retsch AS 400 sieve shaker is used for particle size analysis and to ensure samples are of a suitable particle size for wet chemical and NIR analysis.



Autoclave

An autoclave is used in the protocols for the determination of the lignin and structural sugars (cellulosic and hemicellulosic) contents of samples.



Robotic Arm

For process automation.



Moisture Oven

We use a Memmert UF260 oven to determine moisture content according to standard EN methods of analysis.



Incubated Shaker

This is used in analysis packages involving enzymes, for example in the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass.



Deionised Water Unit

An Elga Purelab-Option-Q unit is used for obtaining high-purity water for our analysis methods and ion chromatography system.



...