Biotechnical research and analytics services

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We study the production of high-added value components by cells such as bacteria, microalgae and mycelium in controlled bioreactor cultures. We investigate the impact of different growing conditions (e.g. temperature, aeration, light, nutrients, pH) on the yield, composition and properties of the desired components and biomass.

We analyse the composition of biomass and its growing medium, including sugars, proteins, fatty acids and pigments, and isolate these components using various methods, such as filtration, extraction, evaporation and drying.

Our special expertise is the utilisation of various waste and side streams as a growth medium and a source of nutrients for the production of cells, and the further processing of the produced cellular biomass into valuable products. On a case-by-case basis, interest may be focused on healthy foods, various materials, biostimulants, cosmetic ingredients or, for example, for the production of biodyes.

For biotechnical cell production, we have several well-equipped reactors of different sizes ranging from 0.5 to 20 litres. We offer research services with these reactors, the content of which can be tailored to customer needs.

Feel free to contact us and let’s find out together how biotechnical research on cell production could best serve your needs!

When planning biogas production, as well as in the actual production phase, there is often a need to find out the biogas and/or methane yield from different feedstocks or feedstock mixtures, and the biodegradability of the feedstock. There may also be interest in investigating the biogas residual potential of the digestate.  For these needs, we have several laboratory-level batch test systems (AMPTS,® Automatic Methane Potential Test System) and long-term experience in conducting these tests.

We offer biogas and methane production potential research services, including dry matter (TS, Total Solids) and organic matter (VS, Volatile Solids) determinations. COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) analysis is also used to determine the organic matter of liquid samples. The work may include the pre-treatment or mixing of the feedstocks. The content of the research service can be tailored to customer needs.

Feel free to contact us and let’s find out together how these batch tests could best serve your needs!

For the design of biogas plants, as well as in order to control the start-up and changing phases of biogas reactors, it is often necessary to study the behaviour of the biogas process, for example, with different feed mixtures and their loadings.  There may also be interest in investigating the effects of various additives, or the need for research may focus on digestate, its quality and utilization possibilities. Continuously operating laboratory-scale biogas reactors can simulate plant-scale conditions and obtain valuable information on process behaviour, e.g. pH control and possible inhibition factors. Based on these, the appropriate load level (OLR, organic load) and residence time can be determined for the feedstocks in question.

For biogas process research, we have versatile reactor capabilities that serve various biogas plant solutions. Depending on the feed type and process solids level, we offer a variety of continuous reactor options as follows:

• Completely stirred tank reactors (CSTR) (3 x 5 litres and 10 litres) for wet process research with a dry matter content of less than 15 % in the feed/feed mixture
• Mixing reactor (200 litres) for semi-dry/dry processing when the dry matter content of the feedstock/feed mixture is max approx. 20 %
• High-rate UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactors (4 x 0.3 liters and 4 x 1 liters) for processing liquid feeds.

We offer continuous process research with these reactors, which includes a long-term research period, usually at least three months, according to a detailed research plan agreed with the customer. Typically, this includes process monitoring by means of direct measurements (quantity and quality of biogas) and process analyses through sampling, such as: pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), alkalinity, ammonium nitrogen, TS and VS. We continuously review the research results and react to any need for plan changes. We usually arrange several planning, update and result meetings with the customer.

Feel free to contact us and let’s find out together how this continuous biogas process research could best serve your needs!

In order to ensure the stable operation of the biogas production process and thus continuous steady biogas production, there is often a need to take process samples from the biogas reactor, from which laboratory analyses provide valuable information on the state of the process. This is especially important in change situations, such as the introduction of new feedstocks or load changes in the reactor. Long-term, systematic process monitoring significantly helps to avoid serious process disruptions when the effects of change situations can be response in time.

We offer a wide range of analysis services for the process control needs of biogas plants, e.g. pH and alkalinity of the process (a measure of buffering capacity, i.e. the ability to neutralise acids), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia and soluble organic matter (CODsol, Chemical Oxygen Demand.

Biogas process control begins with feedstock management. We can offer the following key analyses related to feed management: dry matter (TS), organic dry matter (VS), COD, total nitrogen (Kjeldahl-N) and carbon, as part of the CHNS/O element analysis.

Feel free to contact us and let’s find out together how we could help with your process management or digestate utilization needs!