Whenever possible, innovations are tested on-site in existing plants. Often, however, they must go through extensive full-scale test procedures. To accommodate such tests, AE&E - Von Roll Inova operates its own research center at Balsthal (Klus) in the Swiss canton of Solothurn. Full-size pilot facilities or plant components are erected here as needed so that new processes or fundamental changes can be tested under realistic conditions. In this way, we can ensure that possible weak points and unforeseen problems will be detected and eliminated. The tests at Klus enable us to offer our customers processes with proven track records that conform to market requirements. In service to our customers. The Klus facility exists not just to test new and improved unit operations but also to support our customers. For example, wastes that are not well characterized (slaughterhouse waste, ammunition residues, or chemical industry products residues) are investigated as to composition, reactions during the incineration process, and impacts on flue gas and wastewater treatment. We also use the facility to test flue gas cleaning concepts involving special pollutants. We offer these services to our customers on favorable terms.		One of our pilot facilities: the fluidized bed combustion system.
Full-size pilot incinerators at Klus. Extensive testing has been performed with the following incineration systems at Klus. These facilities stand available for further pilot tests and for customer visits on request (by appointment). Rocking kiln for hazardous waste The rocking kiln is suitable for the incineration of hazardous waste. It can handle waste fuels varying widely in composition and consistency with little preprocessing. Circulating fluidized bed incinerator and fluidized bed boiler The large contact area and the homogeneous conditions in the fluidized bed combustion zone make it possible to incinerate sewage and other sludges as well as slurries and preprocessed residual waste in an optimal way while recovering their energy content. TMC melting furnace The TMC melting furnace is used for the thermal treatment of partly degassed waste and the simultaneous melting of the combustion ash or inerts in the waste. HSR pilot plant Metals can be recovered from residual waste in the HSR (high-temperature melting/redox) process. The waste is converted into inert substances that can be reused without difficulty. The HSR process can be retrofitted to virtually any waste recycling equipment.