Research

The semi-industrial test rig combines a 200 kW fluidized bed reactor with a steam cycle for integrated thermal conversion studies. It enables research into combustion, gasification and heat recovery systems and supports the development of advanced energy and process technologies under realistic operating conditions.

Semi-industrial 200 kW fluidized bed with steam cycle test rig

The amine scrubber supports carbon capture research by enabling the evaluation of chemical absorption with amine-based solvents. It is utilized to investigate the carbon removal efficiency, solvent regeneration and process optimization for carbon capture on an industrial scale.

Amine scrubbing test rig

The Laboratory for Industrial Energy Systems (IES) is actively optimizing pulp and paper industry processes where raw materials (mainly wood) are converted into a wide range of paper-based products, including printing paper, packaging materials and specialist items. The test rig is used for the production and characterization of stone paper, a sustainable alternative to conventional wood-based paper. It supports process development, material testing and scale-up studies with a capacity of up to one ton per day under industrial conditions.

This test rig focuses on the role of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier in the emerging hydrogen economy. It enables the investigation of ammonia synthesis, decomposition and energy release processes and thus supports research in the field of clean fuel technologies and carbon-neutral energy systems.

The planar heat pipe test rig is dedicated to the development and testing of novel planar heat pipes, supported by multiple patents. This advanced setup enables cutting-edge research in thermal management for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other high-power electronic systems.

A0 planar heat pipe test rig

This 5 kWₜₕ test rig is designed for detailed studies of liquid-vapor interactions and enables the investigation of two-phase flow dynamics, heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics. It supports applications ranging from heat pipes and condensers to advanced thermal management systems.

Two-phase flow test rig

This large-scale facility supports the research and development of thermal energy storage technologies on a megawatt scale. It enables the testing of high-temperature as 1200 ^oC storage systems, energy output and thermal efficiency for decarbonization applications in industry and in the field of renewable energies.

1 MWth Thermal energy storage test rig

The cold battery test rig is used for research into thermal energy storage at low temperatures such as -25 ^oC. It enables studies on phase change materials, system integration and cooling strategies for energy-efficient applications such as refrigeration, building cooling and industrial processes.

25 kWth Cold battery test rig

This special test rig enables experiments with osmotic energy storage, a novel method of using salinity gradients to generate electricity. It supports research into membrane technologies, process efficiency and sustainable power generation from low-grade energy sources.

 3 kWel Osmotic energy storage test rig

The test rig enables the investigation of anaerobic digestion, in which organic materials such as biomass and industrial waste (e.g. pulp mill sludge) are broken down by bacteria under oxygen-free conditions. This process produces biogas and biomethane as renewable gaseous fuels. The system comprises a reactor with an impeller for vacuum operation as well as connections for gas supply, pH and temperature sensors.

Anaerobic digestion test rig

The test rig is designed for biochemical conversion, this test rig facilitates the fermentation of biomass and waste. The main deliverables are liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biobutanol. The plant has a flexible control unit with options for gas and liquid feed, temperature control and sensor integration.

Fermentation test rig

This test rig with quartz tube reactor supports the pyrolysis of all types of biomass in an oxygen-free environment and produces solid (biochar), liquid and gaseous fuels. The system includes conditioning units to separate solids and remove condensable gases such as water and heavy hydrocarbons, enabling comprehensive biofuel analysis.

Pyrolysis test rig

The hydrothermal treatment test rig is designed to process moist, low-grade biomass at moderate temperatures and high pressure using water as a reaction medium. Liquid, gaseous and solid fuel products are produced. The treatment components remove solids and condensable gases and provide comprehensive support for detailed characterization of the biofuels.

Hydrothermal test rig

The process simulations involve modeling and analyzing industrial processes to optimize performance, improve energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs. The simulations are validated against experimental measurements to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. Globally recognized simulational tools are utilized such as Apros and Openfoam. MillFlow (an Excel-based calculation tool of pulp mills) was also developed in IES laboratory and verified with Finnish wood pulp mill data.

For more information, please refer to our review papers on process simulations here: 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360128516300375

Dynamic model of a polygeneration power plant that uses coal, wind and solar energy as fuel and generates electricity, heat, cooling and drinking water.

Dynamic model of a 600 MW power plant fired with pulverized coal and torrefied biomass.              

Steady-state model for a 350 MW combined-cycle power plant.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to analyze fluid flow, heat transfer and related physical phenomena in complex systems. CFD s mulations enable the visualization and optimization of performance in a wide range of applications from energy systems and heat exchangers to multiphase reactors and environmental processes. Globally recognized simulational tools are utilized such as Ansys, Epsilon and Comsol Multiphysics.

For more information, please refer to our review papers on CFD simulations here: 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360128521000289

Velocity and temperature field (longitudinal section through the waste-to-energy plant), CFD simulation.

CFD DEM Simulation of a fluidized bed - Experimental.

We integrate AI, Machine Learning (ML), statistical methods, and general data-driven analytics into our research to enhance data analysis and accelerate innovation. For example, applications in process efficiency, optimization and monitoring; soft sensing; and operations diagnostics. Data can be collected directly from facilities or generated from process simulators, from which surrogate models can perform more comprehensive analysis studies in less time. The data-driven approach allows us to push the boundaries of conventional methodologies and develop smarter, more efficient solutions to modern science and engineering challenges.

For more information, please refer to works below involving real data collected from industrial facilities (the topics covered are in parentheses).

(Predictive modelling, and operational diagnosis) On the diagnosis of a fouling condition in a kraft recovery boiler combining process knowledge and data-based insights.

https://doi.org/10.32964/TJ22.3.162

(Predictive modelling, soft sensing, and process optimization) Prediction of mechanical properties of steel tubes using a machine learning approach.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-020-05345-0

(Predictive modelling, and process efficiency) Heat-loss cycle prediction in steelmaking plants through artificial neural network.

https://doi.org/10.1080/01605682.2020.1824552

(Predictive modelling, process monitoring, and data visualization) Detecting an abnormality in a recovery boiler using dynamic multivariate data analysis with parallel coordinate plots.

http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=807082445007158;res=IELENG

(Predictive modelling, process monitoring, and data visualization) Detecting an abnormality in a recovery boiler using dynamic multivariate data analysis with parallel coordinate plots.

http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=807082445007158;res=IELENG

Engineering optimization problems are often difficult: multi-constrained and anything but smooth. We use advanced global optimization and sensitivity analysis tools for optimize equipment, plants and processes. We have applied these methods at e.g., heat exchangers and pressure vessels; evaporator plant configuration; district heating network production plant portfolio; and wind farm turbine and infrastructure layout optimization.

With the LUT-developed global sensitivity analysis tools, we can also uncover and visualize model behaviours, including the interactions with each other as multiple inputs are investigated.

Optimized back pressure condenser dimensions under different electricity price assumptions.

Sensitivity of optimal thermal energy storage (TES) capacity to main drivers, optimized electric and biomass boiler (EB and BB).