Thermal conversion of challenging Indian and Finnish feedstocks with a focus on pyrolysis

The project Thermal Conversion of Challenging Indian and Finnish Feedstocks with a Focus on Pyrolysis characterizes challenging Finnish and Indian feedstocks for pyrolysis processes using pyrolysis lab facilities available at ÅA and IITM. Bark and forest residues are the feedstocks of particular interest in Finland, whereas agricultural residues (e.g., rice straw) are abundant and of great interest in India. The innovative methodology and approach for the characterization of feedstocks will provide progressive developments on the pyrolysis product yield and distribution and the influence of impurities on the pyrolysis process.

The research teams of Dr. Patrik Yrjas-ÅA, PI of the project, and Prof. Ravikrishnan Vinu-IIT Madras have identified the relevant biomass fuels and exchanged the Finnish and Indian biomass fuels for characterization. The research teams at both universities have carried out basic analyses of the fuels (pine bark, birch bark, rice straw, and empty fruit bunch) as well as microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) experiments (IITM). In addition, pyrolysis experiments with a single particle furnace and a laboratory-scale fluidized bed boiler will be carried out at a later stage at ÅA. These experiments will be carried out by an IITM Ph.D. student that will visit ÅA in the Fall of 2022.

As part of the outcomes of the project, the research teams have discussed further collaboration beyond the scope of the current FICORE seed-funded project.  

Thermal Conversion of Challenging Indian and Finnish Feedstocks with a Focus on Pyrolysis is seed-funded as part of the India Pilot initiative from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Aalto is coordinating the India Pilot Network FICORE (Finnish Indian Consortia for Research and Education) which involves 38 higher education institutions from Finland and India.