Cracow University of Technology Relies on NETZSCH Analysis Instruments

Opening of the Accredited Laboratory of Energy Machines and Equipment

A new research center has been added to Krakow University of Technology. In January, 2024, the accredited Energy Machines and Equipment Laboratory (Laboratorium Maszyn i Urządzeń Energetycznych, LMiUE for short) was officially opened at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy.

The new laboratory conducts research of thermo-physical and mechanical properties of modern materials using the most advanced techniques. The laboratory is fully equipped with NETZSCH instruments. It also performs − important for environmental protection − chemical analyses and determinations of persistent pollutants, including pesticides, hormones and drugs in soil, water and air. The new laboratory is part of the Regional Group of Accredited P Research and Calibration Laboratories of the university, which was established at Krakow University of Technology thanks to EU funding.

Impressive Research Capabilities

“Thanks to the extensive equipment of the Laboratory of Power Machines and Equipment with instruments that determine diverse physical and chemical parameters of materials, a wide spectrum of scientific activities and cooperation with industry will be possible. At LMiUE, we will determine thermophysical and mechanical properties of materials, such as insulations or constructions, under conditions similar to those under which they will be used. The laboratory's research capabilities also include the determination of characteristic temperatures of phase transformations in materials of various types, thermal effects and mass changes during physical and chemical transformations in the samples to be studied. In addition, it is possible to determine Thermal DiffusivityThermal diffusivity (a with the unit mm2/s) is a material-specific property for characterizing unsteady heat conduction. This value describes how quickly a material reacts to a change in temperature.thermal diffusivity and Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity coefficients, as well as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for materials by pulse excitation over a wide temperature range. Such tests are used to reduce energy consumption in buildings and industrial installations, among other things." explains Dr. Jan Wrona, head of the new laboratory at the University of Technology.

The instruments available in the laboratory also provide opportunities to study emissions of gaseous components from combustion, gasification or PyrolysisPyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic compounds in an inert atmosphere.pyrolysis processes. In addition, it will allow for chemical analysis of raw materials and products used in production processes, as well as determination of contaminants present in the environment − in soil, water and air − including pesticides, hormones and drugs. The research results can be used to modernize manufacturing processes and products, and address environmental or sustainability challenges, such as the fight against smog.

Impressive laboratory equipment

The new laboratory of the Cracow University of Technology has been established in the ground-floor spaces of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Power Engineering building on the university's main campus, which was specially renovated for this purpose.

The Laboratory of Energy Machines and Equipment includes, among others, the following NETZSCH instruments:

• GHP 900 S and TLR 1000  for testing Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity of flat and cylindrical insulating materials;
• LFA 427 and LFA 467 for testing the Thermal DiffusivityThermal diffusivity (a with the unit mm2/s) is a material-specific property for characterizing unsteady heat conduction. This value describes how quickly a material reacts to a change in temperature.thermal diffusivity of solid and liquids materials in the temperature range from -150°C to 1500°C by the laser flash method
• STA 449 F3 Jupiter^® – Simultaneous thermal analysis analyzer TG-DSC_{Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.cp} in the temperature range from RT to 1600°C
• DSC 214 Polyma - for study of the temperature and enthalpy of melting and CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.crystallization of plastics by differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range from -170°C up to 600°C

The Laboratory of Power Engineering Machinery and Equipment is one of seven research facilities of the Cracow University of Technology that have been accredited by the Polish Accreditation Center. For more information on the activities and offerings of the Laboratory of Power Machines and Equipment, visit: www.lmiue.pk.edu.pl