Separation processes stand as indispensable pillars in the chemical industry, playing a pivotal role in facilitating the production of top-tier products, mitigating environmental impact, and optimizing resource utilization. These processes are integral across the entire spectrum of chemical manufacturing, from the extraction of raw materials to the distribution of finished products. Cyclic Adsorption Processes represent a cluster of separation technologies, notably Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Simulated Moving Bed (SMB), extensively applied in various industries. Rooted in a sequence of steps involving adsorption onto an adsorbent surface and subsequent regeneration, these technologies form the backbone of efficient separation methodologies. The careful selection and development of tailored adsorbents emerge as crucial milestones in the evolution of new processes or the enhancement of existing ones. Their significance resonates in propelling innovation and meeting the dynamic demands of diverse sectors, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, environmental remediation, and food processing. The introduction of novel adsorbents holds the promise of elevated selectivity and efficiency in isolating target components from intricate mixtures. This, in turn, contributes to the overall enhancement of separation processes by augmenting adsorption capacity, selectivity, and kinetics. Recent accomplishments in our group include the creation of tailored carbon-based adsorbents for VOCs capture, hexane isomers separation, and biogas upgrade. Furthermore, we've pioneered hybrid structured adsorbents applicable in Electric Swing Adsorption (ESA). Otherwise, we collaborate with groups strong in the materials science area and test their materials, such as the groups at the KRICT and CWK, an industrial partner.

Another key aspect of our research involves the design of novel, more efficient processes, accompanied by the development of tailored mathematical models for process simulation, optimization, and control. By focusing on resource conservation, our endeavors enable the reuse and recycling of valuable materials, thereby reducing raw material consumption and energy usage, and fostering sustainability in chemical production. Our research spans a diverse array of separation processes, encompassing cryogenic (V)PSA processes for natural gas upgrade or H2 purification from methane streams, carbon dioxide capture by PTSA or ESA, light olefins separation by PSA and gas-phase SMB in collaboration with ExxonMobil, and KRICT. Other noteworthy projects include nitrogen/methane separation for methane upgrade, hexane isomers separation, monomers recovery by TSA (including vinyl chloride monomer in collaboration with CIRES), water harvesting by TSA, separation of chiral compounds and proteins separation by liquid-phase SMB and Expanded Bed processes, the latter in collaboration with FLUIDINOVA. In our commitment to advancing knowledge, we have published 75 peer-reviewed manuscripts, supervised 14 M.Sc. theses, and guided 10 Ph.D. theses in the 2018-2023 period.

Major projects in this research area include:

• Cryogenic Adsorption
• Gas Phase Separation Processes
• Liquid Phase Separation Processes