The first equipment to enable real-time liquid analysis for mass spectrometers

Project Information

SPECTROINLETS

Grant agreement ID: 836377

DOI

10.3030/836377

Project closed

EC signature date 23 November 2018

Start date 1 November 2018

End date 28 February 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SPECTRO INLETS APS
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SPECTROINLETS (The first equipment to enable real-time liquid analysis for mass spectrometers)

Reporting period: 2018-11-01 to 2019-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The fast development R&D of battery development, biogas, wastewater treatment processes and their applications has been limited due to the lack of analytical equipment that allow process monitorization. The standard analytical equipment, mass spectrometers, are not able to directly measure in real time and from the liquid environments. Spectro Inlets’ technology consists of a membrane chip that allows direct and ultrafast sampling from liquid media by means of a microgeometry (patent applied). Spectro Inlets analyzers unique features such as multi-gas sensors detection in liquid environment, low power consumption, miniaturized sensors, solutions offering mobility, real-time analysis and affordable price will make industrial monitoring of volatile gases in liquid medium in biogas and wastewater plants and detection of electrochemical reactions in battery R&D more assessable and favorable. The main objectives of this study were to define technical upgrades to improve Spectro Inlets analyzers; to prepare a commissioning plan with early adopters; to perform an in-depth market study and prepare the roll out plan to reach the market by 2021.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The report has guaranteed the feasibility and viability of the project: 1) Technically, we defined the following tasks: to improve our analyzers by performing miniaturization, quantification and pre-calibration; improvement in software; Spectro Inlets analyzers will be commissioned at Fredericia Wastewater plant and Sønderjysk Biogas for pilot projects. 2) Our commercial plan and FTO analysis show that there are no IPR barriers for commercialization of Spectro Inlets. Our market analysis has demonstrated that the battery industry, biogas industry and wastewater treatment markets show constant growth 3) We have analysed the financial risks and even with a potential decrease of 20% in our sales, we would still have a cumulative profit of €8.78M with an ROI of 3.01 by 2026.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Gas molecules generated in electrochemical processes in batteries can cause chemical degradation resulting in loss of charge capacity or catastrophic failure. Spectro Inlets analyzers installed at different biogas and waste water facilities would shed light on the differences in the operational parameters and would be able to increase production at plants with a negative discrepancy. Spectro Inlets is expected to be a commercial success with a cumulative profit of €23.83M with an ROI of €8.37 per euro and increasing the headcount from 7 employees to 45 by 2026.

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