CPC - Thermal Processes Department

Conducts research and implementation works related to thermal energy conversion

  2. Fuel Analysis Laboratory

Fuel Analysis Laboratory

Analytical control of the gasification process

In the Fuel Analysis Laboratory, analyses of the quality and purity of the products of the gasification process are carried out to evaluate the biomass energy utilisation technologies under development. The methods developed make it possible to determine the efficiency of biomass energy utilisation installations based on the gasification process. The laboratory carries out analytical control of its own gasification processes and offers services to external customers.

Work carried out:

  • gas quality assessment:
  • gas composition,
  • dust,
  • tars: quantitative and qualitative determinations according to PKN-CEN/TS 15439,
  • H2S, HCl,
  • water vapour by the Fisher method,
  • other by-products,
  • analysis of the suitability of biofuels for energy production,
  • studies of pyrolysis and gasification process parameters for various types of biomass.

Measurement offer

  • comprehensive services at customer installations including gas composition studies and sampling, process balancing,
  • analysis of PAH compounds in solutions, e.g. tar samples,
  • leaching and chromatographic analysis of tars samples taken by SPA method,
  • certified balance measurements of gasification installations,
  • analysis of the suitability of biofuels for energy production,
  • studies of pyrolysis and gasification process parameters for various types of biomass using the macro-TGA technique.

Analytical offer

  1. Solid fuels
    • characterisation of ash melting
    • characterisation of fuel degassing and carbon black reactivity
  1. Gaseous fuels
    • gas composition, dust, tar and water content
    • analysis of hydrocarbons from the gasification process (CEN/TS 15439)
    • sulphur measurements by GC-FPD
    • other by-products

Portable measuring equipment

  • gas conditioning systems for analysis
  • hot and cold sampling
  • CO, CO2, CH4, H2 and O2 measurements (Siemens Ultramat 23 and Calomat 6),
  • NH3, HCl, and others to be determined (Gasmet DX-4000 FTIR),
  • C2-C10, BTX, Ar, N2 (Varian CP4900 micro-GC).

Stationary measuring equipment

  • thermogravimetric analyser TGA701, by LECO,
  • ash fusion analyser AF700, by LECO,
  • oxygen determination attachment, by LECO,
  • macro-TGA test stand.

The stand is used to test the pyrolysis and gasification process of biomass and biodegradable waste.

The apparatus allows for:

  • conduct the process by slow and fast pyrolysis methods,
  • macro-TGA pyrolysis and gasification processes.

The apparatus consists of a gasification reactor and heaters that heat the gas, which is the reaction medium. The composition of the reaction gas is analysed by GC. The following systems are connected to the apparatus to guide and control the process: data acquisition system, computer, mass flowmeters, thermobalance, temperature controllers, type-K thermocouples, micro-GC gas chromatograph, tar trapping system. The micro-GC gas chromatograph can detect and determine compounds such as: H2, CO, CO2, O2, N2,CH4 and lower hydrocarbons.