The Semi-Industrial Laboratory of the School of Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) aims to investigate and optimize the configuration and operating conditions of new or existing chemical engineering processes.

The Unit serves as a bridge between theory and practice, enriching student education through the application of principles of operation and design of chemical plants, learned in coursework, to real-world scenarios. It helps students understand and address the challenges involved in scaling chemical processes from the laboratory bench to industrial production. It enables experimentation with process operating parameters to optimize efficiency, yield, and safety.

Hands-on experience with pilot-scale equipment enhances students’ technical skills, making them more competitive in the job market and better prepared for industrial roles.

The Unit provides faculty and students with the opportunity to conduct research on new chemical processes, materials, and technologies at a scale that approximates industrial conditions, assisting in the validation of the feasibility and efficiency of new methods prior to full-scale production.

It also strengthens the collaboration between the School of Chemical Engineering and industry for the development and study of new processes or products, attracting funding and enhancing the School’s reputation as a center of innovation.

The Semi-Industrial Laboratory hosts a range of pilot units that cover a wide spectrum of chemical engineering applications, including:

• Ultrasound extraction unit for the recovery of bioactive and other valuable components from natural raw materials.
• Biomass gasification unit for energy production.
• Solid-state polymerization unit.
• Distillation column.
• Liquid–liquid extraction column.
• Absorption unit.