INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary (ICIA) Cluj-Napoca

INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary (ICIA) Cluj-Napoca (www.icia.ro) is a national research institute dedicated to applied analytical chemistry in three main directions: Bioenergy and Biomass, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Environment and Health. The institute is accredited for research since 2008 (ANCS Decision no. 9634/14.04.2008) and at the evaluation as research institute it was obtained grade A+. ICIA has implemented the quality management system according to ISO 9001:2008 (certificate nr. RO13474Q).
The Institute manages remarkable endowment appropriate to the multidisciplinary character from research to technology transfer, enabling the approach of projects from the research stage to that of technology transfer to the beneficiary. ICIA Subsidiary is deeply concerned, by the performed activity, to sustain and stimulate the technology transfer, in close correlation with its own research strategy.
ICIA Subsidiary has as objectives: research, analytical methodologies elaboration for a wide range of samples; design and construction of laboratory analytical instruments; performing of chemical analyses and provide services of information, advice and representation for business. The research addresses environmental and health programs, development of new types of systems, equipments, optoelectronics instrumentation for analytical investigation to be applied in the fields of environmental protection, health, safety and food security; technologies modernization, clean technologies, bioenergy, biomass, through the laboratories Analytics and Instrumentation, Environment and Health, Bioenergy-Biomass.
Laboratory „Bioenergy-Biomass” is focused on obtaining renewable fuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas), from biomass and inclusively by-products; realization of technologies and installation for the renewable fuels (biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas) production, and development of advanced processes for the biomass conversion to electricity and heat. It is composed of
• Laboratory “Renewable energy”, LER, for the elaboration and development of innovative processes for new, modern and cost efficient technologies destined for the superior capitalization of the renewable resources and biofuels obtaining, having in view their large-scale implementation on the market
• Laboratory for Biofuel Quality Certification, CABIO, for the elaboration and development of some innovative processes dedicated to biofuels quality determination and to perform analyses in order to certify the biofuels quality, according to European standards for biodiesel (SR EN 14214) and bioethanol (SR EN 15376).
One can be mentioned the following ICIA’s results:
- advanced technologies for biofuels obtaining (biodiesel; bioethanol from wood, bias from biogenic wastes, algal biofuel)
- validation of new analytical methods for biofuels production,
- biofuels quality certification (biodiesel and bioethanol)
- elaboration of the national strategy for biofuels and the BIOMASS Action Plan
- public information campaigns regarding the advantages of biofuels and other renewable fuels usage and the benefits of their implementation on large scale
Institute has significant scientific contributions to the development of:
- technologies for bioethanol obtaining from lignocellulosic biomass by acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis using environmentally friendly methods (lab scale) (Patent Nr.127297/30.04.2014; Patent Nr. 126407/28.02.2012);
- technologies for 2nd generation biofuels obtaining from crude and used oil by transesterification (Patent Nr. 127018/30.08.2013);
- technologies for biodiesel obtaining from algae (lab scale) (Patent Nr.128691/30.05.2014);
- technologies for biogas obtaining from biogenic wastes;
- technology for purification of glycerin resulted as a byproduct in the process of biodiesel obtaining;
- small capacity installation, (200 l/charge) for biodiesel production from vegetable oil (homologated and transferred to the beneficiary);
- technology for biodiesel/additive obtaining from renewable sources, through a carbonatation reaction of glycerol acetals (on lab-scale);
- technology for biopetrols obtaining white beet biomass and zeolites;
- biodiesel obtained by treating fatty acids, their esters and glycerides with hydrogen enriched gas;
- traffic testing of the biodiesel obtained from vegetable oils (in Cluj-Napoca);
- solutions necessary to elaborate modern, non-pollutant, cost-efficient technologies for the biofuels obtaining (biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas) from renewable resources.
ICIA Cluj-Napoca has also as objectives to provide information services, advice and assistance for business through The Technology Transfer Centre (CENTI), since 2004.
For over nine years as a member of Enterprise Europe Network, created by the European Commission and now extended to 66 countries, The Technology Transfer Centre (CENTI), offers a wide range of specialized services for business. More details can be found at the following website: www.centi.ro