Our offices and facilities...

KSE, Inc. is the occupant of a 12,000 sq. ft. research and development/light manufacturing building, located at 665 Amherst Road in Sunderland, Massachusetts, approximately two miles from the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. The privately owned building contains 1,500 sq. ft. of high bay manufacturing space, 4,500 sq. ft. of laboratory space, and an instrument room, a library, two conference rooms, and offices. The building also contains extensive research benches, pilot plant hood space and two walk-in hoods along with several pilot plant areas. Extensive process design and data analysis software are maintained, including Aspen Plus process simulation software.

The KSE facility contains 20 reactors, for both gas and liquid reactions. The reactor gas flow rates range from about 30 cc/min to 500 SCFM. All reactors are capable of unattended operation. KSE also has distillation column capabilities, ranging from 18 inches in length to six feet in length. The units have electric reboilers and chiller condensers. KSE also has an assembly area and capabilities to construct pilot-scale and prototype units of the reactive distillation technology.

Analysis of gaseous and liquid products can be accomplished with five existing gas chromatographs (with FID, and thermal conductivity detectors, along with methanizers). KSE has two compound specific detector tube sampling systems available, a digital hygrometer, an Industrial Scientific CO analyzer, HCl, Cl2, and ozone analyzers, and a Thermo-Electron 20-AR nitrogen oxide analyzer. KSE also has a Mettler Toledo DL-38 automated Karl Fisher analyzer for water analysis. Data acquisition and analysis is supported by laboratory computers.

KSE also has complete catalyst manufacturing facilities, capable of production of sufficient catalyst quantities pilot scale development programs. These facilities include catalyst impregnation equipment, coprecipitation equipment, aquagel production equipment, aerogel production equipment, and ion exchange equipment for zeolites. Distilled/deionized water for catalyst preparations is prepared on site with a Corning MegaPure System. Complete facilities are also available for drying and calcining catalysts, including an Isotemp Programmable Muffle Furnace. Routine catalyst property measurements are performed by outside contractors.

KSE maintains a fully equipped laboratory for general research and development in catalysis and separations. This includes a 6 ton process chiller, with a circulating hot and cold glycol system which serves the high bay process area, 5 continuous packed absorption columns, ranging from a small differential column to an 8 foot column with side sampling ports. The laboratory also contains 7 high temperature oxidation reactors (ranging from small quartz glass tubular to large stainless steel continuous reactors), a high temperature catalytic reactor system, 2 high temperature stirred tank reactors, centrifuges, and 2 continuous extraction units. Analytical capabilities include an Antek nitrogen analyzer, a Brookfield and several Ubbelode viscometers, ASTM distillation units, and miscellaneous other instruments.

The facility meets all environmental laws and regulations of federal, Massachusetts, and local governments for, but not limited to, airborne emissions, waterborne effluents, external radiation levels, outdoor noise, solid and bulk waste disposal practices, and handling and storage of toxic and hazardous materials. KSE has all required permits to conduct research and development activities, including storage and disposal of hazardous wastes.