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Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels

Project financed by the Visegrad Fund

Funding amount: 42,980.00 EURO

  • Project description

    The project will investigate the potential opportunities and/or technical limitations related to the use of the technology of torrefaction of logging residue and/or post-disaster timber and subsequent conversion of the torrefied product to solid fuels (pelletisation/briquetting). The purpose of the production and utilisation of such biomass fuels is to conserve fossil fuels and reduce their negative environmental impact.

    The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

    1. To identify the available base of raw materials for torrefaction and subsequent pelletisation/briquetting of the torrefied product;
    2. To determine the mean quality parameters of the input products for torrefaction and identify the factors that affect these parameters, as well as to assess the compliance of the quality characteristics of products for torrefaction with the technical requirements imposed by the current power generating equipment (and suggest the solutions to potential discrepancies);
    3. To determine the critical parameters of the torrefaction process and the quality parameters of the torrefied product;
    4. To determine the parameters of the densification process of the torrefied product, and indicate the optimal technical design parameters of the densification equipment in order to obtain high-quality end products (pellets/briquettes).

    The literature review indicates that torrefaction of plant material of forest origin has been tested exclusively for selected types of fuel wood other than specified in our project, whereas there is only incomplete data regarding the potential torrefaction of wood waste, particularly residues from clear-cutting/thinning sites and post-disaster areas. Logging residues are a by-product of wood harvesting and their composition differs substantially from that of typical wood. They contain a substantial proportion of bark, needles, litter, mineral impurities, etc. Post-disaster timber, which comes mainly from windsnap/windthrow and wood infested by secondary pests, typically does not meet quality standards. Importantly, logging residues and post-disaster wood need to be properly managed, as they should not be left entirely on logging sites.

    There are no studies describing the torrefaction of forest logging residues or the agglomeration of the resulting torrefied product. It also remains unknown whether pellet machines available in the market could be used for this type of material, or perhaps some modifications in their design would be required.

    The intended research project is to address the following issues:

    1. What are the current raw materials base and its future forecasts?
    2. What will be the energy characteristics of the torrefied product from logging residues of heterogeneous composition or post-disaster wood; and
    3. Is the densification of the resulting torrefied product possible and what energy, physical and mechanical characteristics of the agglomerate can be achieved.

    The input material will be residues from logging sites and post-disaster substandard wood.

    The project will be divided into two stages.

    In the stage one, research will involve the identification of the availability of forest material for torrefaction, accounting for the legal regulations regarding the use of logging residues, as well as the analysis of the quality parameters of products before and after torrefaction. Based on measurements, it will be possible to compare the properties of fuels and identify the conditions that maximise the energy recovery from torrefied products obtained from wood raw materials. These parameters are crucial in terms of fitness of the particular material for energy purposes, and affect all thermotechnical calculations (stoichiometry).

    The fuel characteristics of torrefied products will be then compared with both the quality requirements for coal, lignite and other products. The relevant analyses of waste wood will be conducted using specialised laboratory equipment owned by the centres involved in the project (from Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia).

    In the stage two, the torrefied product will be subjected to pressure agglomeration at a laboratory station (densification head mounted on a universal testing machine), which provides for maintaining constant process parameters (temperature, chamber dimensions, compression speed, etc.) and recording of results. The produced pellets/briquettes will be tested for compactibility and physical parameters. The tests will be conducted in compliance with the applicable standards and research procedures.

    Project innovativeness and added value

    Innovativeness

    1. The novelty of research lies in the investigation of a material from forest logging sites and post-disaster areas, the composition and characteristics of which differ substantially from pure timber or other plant waste.
    2. The novelty of research is the torrefaction of logging residues/post-disaster timber and the identification of the energy properties of the torrefied product.
    3. The novelty of research is the pressure agglomeration of the torrefied product obtained from forest logging residues/post-disaster timber.
    4. Another novelty is the identification of the physical and mechanical properties (density, relaxation, mechanical durability, etc.) of the agglomerate obtained from the torrefied logging residues/post-disaster timber.

    Main added value

    1. The project will contribute to the identification of the available amount of forest biomass in the form of logging residues and post-disaster wood for energy purposes;
    2. The project will contribute to increasing knowledge about the development and use of solid fuels from renewable energy sources;
    3. The project will contribute to solving the existing problems of the power industry, where electricity and heat generation is based mainly on coal, through the substitution of non-renewable coal products by solid fuels from renewable energy sources;
    4. The project may contribute to the development of machines for pressure agglomeration and production of rectified fuels.

    Power generation in V4 countries is based mainly on coal. While the EU requirements impose a gradual reduction in the use of coal and search for alternative energy sources, forest biomass may become a major supplement in the aggregate renewable energy mix.

    Research needs to focus on innovations leading to low-carbon, efficient and flexible use of materials, such as torrefaction or gasification. And the compaction process ensures homogenisation of structure and size of biofuels dedicated to the use in combustion systems and automation of fuel feeding to a combustion chamber.

    For social, economic and environmental purposes, coal regions in V4 will undergo restructuring. Biomass products obtained from logging residues and as a result of increasingly frequent forest disasters will likely gain in importance. Torrefaction and pressure agglomeration of logging residues and post-disaster wood may increase the use of renewable energy sources in V4 countries. Determining the optimal parameters of the process of production of fuel from torrefied biomass may influence the development or modification of the relevant machinery, which will stimulate the production companies and the entire economy.

    Agglomeration increases the specific density of biofuels (radically reducing the transport and storage costs) as well as their energy density.

    The fuel addressed in the project, obtained by processing of forest logging residues and post-disaster wood, will also contribute to the achievement of objectives for renewable energy sources and have a positive impact on the environment in V4 countries.

  • Events

    Working meeting of the research team in Poland, Krakow, PL

    Date: 10/02/2025—13/02/2025

    The workshops are scheduled to last 4 days plus two days for travel. Each V4 country (PL, CZ, SK 2 people each, HU 1 person) will send people involved in the project to work on the described details (PL, CZ, SK 2 people each, HU 1 person). During the workshops, we plan office, field and laboratory days. The office day will be devoted to a literature review. This will allow you to establish and understand the context of the problem and help you better prepare for the field trip. The results of the literature review will be incorporated into the guidelines. During the field day, we will visit biomass processing plants, manufacturers of biomass pressure agglomeration equipment and forest areas from which research material will be obtained. Activities aimed at promoting the project will also be included.

    Working meeting of the research team in Czech Republic, Prague, CZ

    Date: 30/06/2025–03/07/2025

    Research conduct, laboratory work, publication development, report development, conference preparations The workshops will last 5 days plus two days for travel. Each V4 country (PL, CZ, SK 2 people each, HU 1 person) will send people involved in the project to work on the described details (PL, CZ, SK 2 people each, HU 1 person). During the workshops, we plan office, field and laboratory days. The office day will be devoted to a literature review. The results of the literature review will be incorporated into the guidelines. During the meeting days, the implementation of the project and further actions that need to be taken for its implementation will be discussed. During the field day, we will visit biomass processing plants, manufacturers of devices for pressure agglomeration of biomass, and forest areas from which research material will be obtained. Activities aimed at promoting the project will also be included.

    Conference in Poland, Zakopane, PL

    14/01/2026–16/01/2026

    A three-day scientific conference to summarise and disseminate the project outcome. The conference will facilitate the exchange of perspectives between researchers and practitioners and enable the launch of activities aimed to introduce the new types of solid fuels from torrefied forest biomass into practical use. The conference is planned in a hybrid, free form, which will ensure a wide range of potential participants. The conference will take place in a forest center in Zakopane, where international scientific conferences organized by Polish scientific units participating in the project are held periodically.

    Working meeting of the research team in Slovakia, Zvolen, SK

    Date: 02/02/2026–05/02/2026

    Research conduct, laboratory work, publication development, report development. Like the previous workshops, this one is also scheduled for 5 working days + two days for travel. The main goal will be to carry out work related to the summary of the conference and the completion of the project. The workshops will consist of office and field days. Office days will focus on preparing final reports, monographs from conference materials, preparing a scientific publication, and preparing a final report. If necessary, laboratory work will also be carried out. Field days will include meetings with local companies, the forest community and organizations promoting fuels from renewable sources.

  • First meeting of the participants of the international Visegrad Fund project, Krakow, PL

    From February 10-13, 2025, the first working meeting was held at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, organized as part of an international research project financed by the Visegrad Fund, titled “Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels” (project ID 22420094). Researchers from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, the University of Agriculture in Krakow, the Czech University of Life Sciences, the Technical University of Zvolen, and Sopron University participated in the meeting.

    The meeting was divided into two parts: in-person (office) and fieldwork. The office session covered the first and last days of the meeting (Monday and Thursday), and partially on the second and third days (Tuesday and Wednesday). The fieldwork, consisting of a visit to a certified biomass laboratory and a pellet preparation and production line at the Waste Incineration Plant, took place on the second and third days of the meeting.

    The working meeting covered five main topics:

    1) conducting the research, 2) processing the results and preparing a scientific publication, 3) preparing a scientific monograph related to the project’s topic, 4) planning a scientific conference, 5) preparing the next meeting in Prague.

    Re: 1) According to the meeting agenda, forest areas located in four countries (PL, CZ, SK, HU) from which the research material was obtained were characterized. Matters related to the research material obtained (shredded logging residues) and delivered to the laboratory at CULS Prague were discussed. A research plan and schedule for laboratory work were prepared. The research methodology was adopted. As agreed, all samples from forest areas delivered to the laboratory at CULS Prague will be torrefied by the end of February 2025. The reference material and the torrefied material will be sent to laboratories at TUZ Zvolen and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) in Warsaw. By the end of June, sample analyses will be completed at CULS Prague, and material agglomeration and mechanical properties of the pellets will be assessed at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). Chemical analysis of the material at TUZ Zvolen is planned for the end of August.

    Re: 2) The next item on the agenda was a discussion of the plan for developing the research results and preparing a scientific publication, to be published in a reputable scientific journal. It was agreed that after the research is completed, by the end of October, the results will be compiled and the text of the scientific publication will be prepared. The analysis and writing of the text will be shared among all participating units. The final publication text is planned for November 2025. At that time, a scientific journal will be selected for submission. Publication is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, before the project ends.

    Re: 3) The preparation of a scientific monograph on the project’s topic was discussed. The monograph will be prepared and published before the planned scientific conference. Conference participants will receive it as conference proceedings. During the meeting, a preliminary review of the literature, technologies, and techniques for harvesting forest biomass in individual V4 countries was conducted, and a table of contents for the monograph, including the titles of the individual chapters, was prepared. The content was divided and individual chapters were assigned to project participants. The first draft of the text is scheduled for the end of June 2025 (before the meeting in Prague). The text will be discussed in Prague. The final version of the monograph is to be submitted to the publisher in September/October 2025 to ensure publication in time for the conference scheduled for mid-January 2026.

    Re: 4) Matters related to the preparation of the scientific conference were initially discussed. The date and venue were reserved. Due to the renovation of the center in Zakopane, which was the original conference venue specified in the application, the location has changed. The conference will be held at the State Forests Center in Krynica Górska. The composition of the Scientific Committee and the Conference Organizing Committee have been provisionally determined. The number of papers has been determined. It was proposed that some presentations be delivered by representatives of the biomass industry, the State Forests, and biomass boiler manufacturers.

    Re: 5) Issues to be addressed at the second working meeting in Prague were discussed. Partners from CULS Prague will handle the meeting preparation and organizational matters. During the field session, project participants visited the certified Laboratory for Biofuel Production Technology and Quality Assessment, a plant, and a biomass-to-pellet processing line. They also learned about the operation and design of pellet boilers, as well as the associated challenges. Project participants also had the opportunity to learn about other technologies for utilizing renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic panels and heat pumps.

    As part of a visit to the Thermal Waste Processing Plant in Krakow (Krakow Eco-Incinerator), a training session was held on the impact of thermal waste treatment on the natural environment. The training also included a tour and an introduction to the plant’s environmentally friendly operations.

    The cultural and educational component included a tour of Krakow’s old town and a visit to the “Rynek Podziemna” (Underground Market) museum, where participants could explore the monuments and learn about the history of Poland’s former capital.

     

  • Second meeting of participants of the international Visegrad Fund project, Prague, CZ

    The second working meeting, organized as part of the international research project funded by VisegradFund, “Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels” (project ID 22420094), took place at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague from June 30, 2025, to July 3, 2025. The meeting was attended by scientists from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), the University of Agriculture in Krakow, the Czech University of Life Sciences, the University of Technology in Zvolen, and the University of Sopron (online).

    The meeting was divided into an on-site (office) and a field session.

    The office session of the working meeting covered five main topics: 1) a discussion of progress in preparing the scientific monograph, 2) a discussion of research progress, 3) preparations for the scientific conference, 4) a discussion of the preparation of a scientific publication presenting the research results, and 5) preparations for the next working meeting in Zvolen (Slovakia).

    Re: 1) Preparation of the scientific monograph is progressing according to the work plan discussed at the working meeting in Krakow. The monograph will be distributed as part of the conference materials at the scientific conference organized by the project team in 2026. Each partner wrote and presented their part of the monograph. It was agreed that the final version would be completed by July 31, 2025. The text will then be submitted for translation into English. The partner from Prague (CZ) is responsible for the translation. Two months – until September 30, 2025 – are scheduled for translation and editorial revisions. The completed monograph is scheduled for submission to the Publisher in early October 2025. A risk analysis was conducted to ensure timely completion of the specified work, and a safety margin of approximately 20 days was adopted. It was determined that the final submission deadline for the monograph may be extended to October 30, 2025.

    The publishing house selected for submission was Inżynierii Rolnicza in Kraków (Poland).

    The title of the monograph was “ENERGY UTILIZATION OF AGGLOMERATED FOREST RESIDUES.”

    During the meeting, the project leader (Poland) presented the first cover design. It was generally accepted with minor modifications. According to the publisher’s requirements, three reviewers from various research institutions (Turkey, Slovakia, Poland), other than the research institutions of the project partners, were proposed. Re: 2) The state of research related to torrefaction and pressure agglomeration of material obtained from forest logging waste was discussed. In accordance with the research schedule, the material collected from forest areas in each country was collected and transferred to the individual project partners on time. In Prague, the material was crushed and torrefactioned. Subsequently, the prepared samples of torrefacted material and reference material were sent to the partners in Zvolen (SK) and Warsaw (PL). The project leader (Warsaw, PL) conducted pressure agglomeration of the torrefacted material and strength tests on the resulting pellets. The partner from Zvolen (SK) performed chemical analyses of the submitted material, while the partner from Prague (CZ) additionally performed elemental and energetic analyses, and the partner from Hungary (HU) characterized the test material. According to the established deadline, all mechanical and strength tests (PL) and chemical analyses (SK) were completed. The elemental and energetic analyses at the partner from Prague (CZ) were 80% completed. These measurements will be completed by the end of July 2025. It was agreed that, if necessary, another series of mechanical and strength tests will be performed in September by the partner from Poland. At this stage, progress is satisfactory and it can be concluded that work is progressing according to the agreed deadlines. Re: 3) Conference Preparations. At the meeting, the conference title (title) and the composition of the Scientific Committee and Organizing Committee were established. The date of January 14-16, 2026, was confirmed, and room reservations at the Krynica Zdrój (Poland) center were confirmed. The organization and method of sending invitations were discussed. The organizing committee will be responsible for preparing and sending invitations, with the Krakow partner designated as the oversight body. A preliminary list of individuals and entities to whom invitations will be sent was established. A roll-up promoting the conference will be designed and created by the project leader (PL). A conference presentation template was prepared, taking into account the requirements of the VF project. A template for abstracts, which will be published as part of the conference proceedings, was prepared. The conference schedule, number of participants, and number of papers were initially determined. A 15-minute time limit will be allocated for each paper. Re: 4) Discussion of the preparation of a scientific publication presenting research results. During the fourth part of the meeting, a template for a scientific publication was developed based on the research conducted by the leader (PL) and the project partners (SK, CZ, HU). The title of the publication was determined and suggested journals to which the publication could be submitted were proposed. It was agreed that the journals should be categorized as Q1 or Q2. Each partner is required to submit the completed text from each chapter for literature review, methodology, research results, and discussion by September 1, 2025. The project leader (PL) will coordinate the publication, overseeing the entire publication and uploading it to journal editorial systems. The publication deadline is September 30, 2025. After this deadline, the publication will be sent to the journals selected at the meeting. Re: 5) Preparation of the next working meeting in Zvolen (Slovakia). During this part of the meeting, the preliminary agenda for the meeting at the partner’s office in Zvolen (SK) was discussed. This will be the final meeting summarizing the project. Reports and materials will be prepared at this meeting and posted in the VF system. Materials will be published and distributed electronically to all project recipients, including researchers, state forestry employees, forest biomass harvesting and pellet production companies, and pellet boiler manufacturers. The meeting is scheduled to take place in the first half of February 2026. The practical part, organized by Czech partners, included visits to three laboratories at the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at the Czech University of Applied Sciences (CULS) in Prague. Laboratory-scale biomass processing technologies were presented in the laboratories. Participants were also introduced to modern and specialized laboratory equipment used for testing biological materials. The practical part focused on waste management and thermal, chemical, and mechanical processing methods. During the meeting, project participants had the opportunity to discuss issues related to biomass in general with biomass processing practitioners. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about the potential for torrefaction and agglomeration of biomass on an industrial scale.

    As part of the cultural and educational program, the Czech partners organized two excursions. The first was a tour of the old part of Prague Castle, where participants could see historical monuments and learn about the history of the former Czech capital. The second was a trip to the Wastewater Treatment Museum, where participants learned about waste processing technologies other than biomass.

  • International Scientific Conference

    The international Scientific Conference “SUSTAINABLE USE OF PLANT BIOMASS. TECHNICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND LEGAL PROBLEMS” will be held on January 14-16, 2026. The conference will be held at the Forest Experimental Station in Krynica Zdrój, a branch of the Hugo Kołłątaj University of Agriculture in Krakow.

    Conference organized as part of project ID 22420094, title: „Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels”. The project is co-financed by the Governments of the Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

    The Conference aims to disseminate the obtained research results and reach professional groups that influence activities related to the use of fuels refined from forest and/or agricultural biomass (representatives of forest managers, companies providing services for forestry, representatives of science (higher education, industry institutes), representatives of forestry associations and foundations, and technology transfer centers.

    The conference will be attended by representatives of all Visegrad Group countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary) and representatives from Ukraine

     

    MAIN TOPICS

    – Technologies, techniques, and problems of obtaining plant biomass for energy purposes

    – Pellet and briquette production technologies and techniques

    – Physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of biomass and solid fuels

    – Processes and products of biomass combustion, torrefaction, and pyrolysis

    – Legal conditions, barriers, and limitations in the production and use of solid fuels from biomass in the V4 countries

    Conference organizers

    Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland

    University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland

    Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia

    Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic

    University of Sopron, Hungary

    Downloads

    – Invitation to the conference

    – Conference registration form

    – Abstract template

    – Presentation template

  • International Scientific Conference: SUSTAINABLE USE OF PLANT BIOMASS. TECHNICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND LEGAL PROBLEMS

    The International Scientific Conference: SUSTAINABLE USE OF PLANT BIOMASS. TECHNICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND LEGAL PROBLEMS was held from January 14-16, 2026. The conference was organized as part of the project “Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels.” The project is co-financed by the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The fund’s mission is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe. The conference was organized by program partners from all four Visegrad Group countries: Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland), the University of Agriculture in Krakow (Poland), the Technical University in Zvolen (Slovakia), the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic), and the University of Sopron (Hungary).

    Over 40 people representing research centers, biomass producers and processors, biomass boiler manufacturers, and State Forests participated in the conference.

    Participants from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Lithuania presented three plenary lectures and 29 thematic papers directly related to the conference and research program. The conference program is available in a PDF file – download the conference program.

    The main conference topics were:

    – Technologies, techniques, and problems of obtaining plant biomass for energy purposes

    – Pellet and briquette production technologies and techniques

    – Physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of biomass and solid fuels

    – Processes and products of biomass combustion, torrefaction, and pyrolysis

    – Legal conditions, barriers, and limitations in the production and use of solid fuels from biomass in the V4 countries

    As part of the ongoing research program, a scientific monograph was published on the potential use of logging residues for energy purposes. All participants received a copy of the monograph as part of the conference proceedings. The electronic version can be downloaded from the website of the Agricultural Engineering Publishing House – direct link 

    Citation:

    Gendek, A.; Aniszewska, M.; Tylek, P.; Szewczyk, G.; Malaťák, J.; Bradna, J.; Krilek, J.; Čabalová, I.; Szakálosné Mátyás, K. Energy Utilization of Agglomerated Logging Residues; Agricultural Engineering Publishing House: Kraków, 2026; ISBN 978-83-64377-75-4.

    Abridged abstracts of the papers presented at the conference have been published in a book of abstracts, which can be downloaded electronically – download the book of abstracts.

    The detailed conference program, including the papers presented, can be downloaded as a PDF file – download the file.

    As part of the conference’s cultural program, the organizers organized a two-hour walking tour of Krynica Zdrój, a spa town. One of the conference participants, a tour guide, presented the town’s history and the stories of famous people associated with Krynica engagingly. Polish singer and actor Jan Kiepura, painter Nikifor (Epifaniusz Drowniak) known as Nikifor Krynicki, and journalist and publicist Bogusław Kaczyński were all directly connected to Krynica.

“The project is co-financed by the Governments of the Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.“

Contact details of the project coordinator:

Dr hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Gendek, prof. SGGW – project manager

e-mail: arkadiusz_gendek@sggw.edu.pl

dr hab. Eng. Monika Aniszewska, prof. SGGW – deputy project manager

e:mail: monika_aniszewska@sggw edu.pl

Warsaw University of Life Sciences

Institute of Mechanical Engineering

Nowoursynowska 166

02-787 Warsaw

Poland

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