The first Acoustic Chemometer for intelligent fluids analysis

Descripción del proyecto

Parece que tenemos ganador: un innovador quimómetro acústico para la industria

El control y la supervisión de procesos mejora la calidad y reduce los plazos y costes de la producción industrial. El análisis de las propiedades de los fluidos con partículas en suspensión en tubos y depósitos resulta importante para grandes industrias que producen diferentes productos, desde el papel y la pasta papelera hasta el sector farmacéutico, de procesamiento de alimentos y de tratamiento de aguas residuales. La tecnología disponible se enfrenta a importantes desafíos para ofrecer un control de procesos no invasivo, continuo y en tiempo real. La pyme sueca ACOSENSE ha desarrollado un nuevo dispositivo de espectroscopia acústica en línea, el ACOspector, para analizar fluidos complejos que anteriormente resultaban difíciles o imposibles de controlar. El proyecto ACOSPECTOR, financiado con fondos europeos, está respaldando la innovación empresarial del equipo para que puedan afinar la tecnología patentada y evaluar tanto su viabilidad como su potencial comercial.

Objetivo

The pressing need of EU process industry to remain competitive requires reducing production cost whilst increasing product quality and regulatory compliance. This is driving control of procedures and automation. For process industry, reliable and immediately available information of fluid properties is of utmost importance. Additionally, the need for reducing operation downtime and increasing safety is demanding non-invasive solutions. At present, no solutions exist that are able to address all these needs.
We, Acosense, have developed the first acoustic chemometer, to analyse fluid properties in pipes or tanks that were previously considered difficult or impossible. It is based on the fact that sound is altered on its way through the fluid by complex acoustic damping. Its USP are non-invasive, real-time and continuous analysis and access to previously missing information, enabling savings in the range of €k or €M. The technology is patented and its development supported by several investors, public sector and research partners.
ACOspector customers are process industries, including pulp and paper mills, chemical industry, food factories or waste water plants. We have already deployed +25 pilot installations in the pulp and paper industry in Sweden and Norway mostly. We have received interest from further clients in the chemical industry within Europe and overseas.
Our main goal is to develop a solution that addresses all relevant properties for all processing industries. Standardization is key, since modelization is currently a very lengthy process that is limiting our scalability. Our vision is to make the inherent information in processes available.
ACOspector business model includes a direct sale plus O&M service, and leasing. We expect profits in the margin of 40%. We estimate that by year 3 after Phase 2, a total sale of 1060 units resulting in €35M of accumulated revenues, generates more than 20 new full-time positions and accumulate profits of €14M.