The process of drying low-quality fuels is essential when producing hydrogen from them using thermal methods (e.g., gasification).

• Design and optimization of drying systems
• Drying tests using various types of dryers
• Techno-economic analysis of the use of dried fuel

Solid fuel gasification techniques aimed at producing synthesis gas for subsequent hydrogen separation require a high degree of fuel carbonization. Dry, vapothermal, and wet (HTC) torrefaction methods are used for this purpose.

• Determination of product suitability for combustion and gasification
• Determination of torrefaction gas composition
• Assessment of abrasiveness

• Production of torrefied biomass
• Production of biochar
• Evaluation of torrefied biomass combustion and co-combustion
• Purification of torrefaction gases
• Assessment of grinding energy consumption

Torrefaction removes moisture, reduces volatile matter content, and increases biomass "brittleness," resulting in a significant reduction in grinding energy consumption and an increase in energy density. Torrefying biomass, combined with pelletization, can significantly contribute to minimizing logistics costs and extending the economic transport range for delivering biomass to power plants.

The test rig, originally designed for fuel combustion studies, has been adapted for research into the gasification and pyrolysis of renewable fuels. It enables fuel quality assessment based on syngas composition and the determination of process limits, taking into account the short residence time of fuel particles in the reaction zone.

• Ensures high temperatures and the presence of reactive species → high methane conversion rate
• Enables immediate ON/OFF operation → convenient integration with renewable energy sources
• Commercially available generators achieve 100 kW power output → potential for technology scaling.

• Plasma ignition research
• Plasma-assisted boiler start-up
• Catalytic-plasma syngas refinement

Microwave and AC/DC thermal plasma for the reforming/pyrolysis of hydrocarbon and biomass materials into H₂ and biocarbons—which, following physicochemical activation, exhibit varied morphologies—for use as soil amendments and water retention agents, as well as in the production of electrodes and/or sodium-ion batteries.

A plasma gasifier as part of a project to develop an innovative technology—including the construction of a demonstration plant—that enables the use of sewage sludge for electricity generation while having a positive impact on the natural environment.

The synergy between the CCS/CCU installation and the proposed utilization of sewage sludge (classified as a renewable energy source) enables the facility to achieve an overall negative CO₂ balance. An additional advantage of sewage sludge vitrification—owing to the high process temperatures involved—is the potential to transform this problematic waste into a marketable product.

p(CO₂) > 80 bar

Hydrogen is produced from bio-oil generated via a three-stage pyrolysis process. Bio-oil cracking takes place in a microwave plasma reactor in the presence of steam. A Water Gas Shift Reactor completes the hydrogen production process, leaving a stream containing only CO₂, which is subsequently separated using membranes.
The use of plasma for hydrogen production offers high flexibility, enabling a rapid response to fluctuations in grid supply. In addition to hydrogen storage, the system incorporates high- and low-temperature heat storage units based on two different phase-change materials. The storage capacity corresponds to five days of production during periods of limited energy supply. The high-temperature heat storage unit enables cooling generation via a thermoacoustic cooler. Key advantages of thermoacoustic cooling include the generation of cooling without an intermediate electricity production step and the absence of moving parts subject to wear.

• CO₂ sorption from synthesis gas using solid and liquid sorbents, enabling the study of hydrogen concentration via CO₂ removal into vessels simulating a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) installation.
• Gasification of solid fuels.

• High-purity (99.999%) PEM hydrogen generator featuring a fuel cell for hydrogen-based electricity generation (1.2 kW) and metal-hydride storage capabilities.
• Volumetric measurement of absorbed hydrogen allows for the observation of endothermic and exothermic thermal effects. A portable, battery-powered unit supporting both manual and automatic operation; it enables hydrogen compression into portable gas cylinders.

• Development of off-grid systems based on long-term energy storage.
• Management of energy flow within the system.
• Integration of weather forecasts with the EMS and implementation of AI into the system.
• Performance analysis of the entire system based on fuel cell stack size.

• Investigation of new materials, such as MOFs, COFs, etc., using mixed-gas adsorption.
• Capability to measure newly synthesized materials via dynamic sorption methods.

The experiments yield data on adsorption efficiency, kinetics, co-adsorption or displacement effects, sorption selectivity, mixed-gas adsorption characteristics, and the heat balance of the sorption process.

• Assessment of the condition of boiler heating surfaces.
• Monitoring of corrosion risks in the boiler.

The developed scanner does not require thorough cleaning of deposits from the tube surface (unlike the ultrasonic method). It operates by measuring changes in magnetic induction resulting from variations in the wall thickness of the tube being inspected. This method also offers the potential to automate and accelerate the process of inspecting the condition of the entire waterwall.