A sol-gel process for the synthesis of a multi-component oxide material from the system SiO2-ZrO2-Al2O3underwent optimization and up-scaling. Initially, on a laboratory scale, components including precursors, catalysts, and additives were methodically evaluated to ensure a safe and efficient transition to larger volumes. Subsequently, the equipment for the whole setup of the sol-gel process was strategically selected. Leveraging insights from these optimizations, the process was successfully scaled-up to pilot-scale operation, conducting hydrolysis, condensation reactions, gelation, aging, and drying within a single, integrated conical dryer system for an 80 L batch. A visual test and FTIR spectroscopy were applied for process control and monitoring.
Keywords: Glass ceramic; Sol-gel chemistry; Up-scaling.
Copyright 2024 Barbara Pföss, Jonathan Caldi, Sutida Jansod, Christophe Allemann, Pierre Brodard, Roger Marti. License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.