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

Projekt finansowany przez Międzynarodowy Fundusz Wyszehradzki

Kwota dofinansowania: 42 980,00 EURO

  • Opis projektu

    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.

  • Wydarzenia

    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.

  • Pierwsze spotkanie uczestników międzynarodowego projektu Visegrad Fund, Krakow, PL

    W dniach 10-13.02.2025 na Uniwersytecie Rolniczym w Krakowie odbyło się pierwsze spotkanie robocze zorganizowane w ramach międzynarodowego projektu naukowego finansowanego ze środków Visegrad Fund pt. „Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels” (project ID 22420094). W spotkaniu wzięli udział pracownicy naukowi z Warszaw University of Life Science, University of Agriculture In Krakow, Czech University of Life Sciences, Technical University of Zvolen oraz Sopron University.

    Spotkanie podzielono na dwie części: stacjonarną (biurową) i terenową. Część biurowa objęła pierwszy i ostatni dzień spotkania (poniedziałek i czwartek) oraz częściowo dzień drugi i trzeci (wtorek, środa). Część terenowa, czyli wizyta w certyfikowanym laboratorium biomasy i na linii technologicznej przygotowania oraz produkcji pelletu, w Zakładzie spalania odpadów, odbyła się drugiego i trzeciego dnia spotkania.

    Spotkanie robocze obejmowało pięć głównych tematów:

    1) przeprowadzenie badań, 2) opracowanie wyników i przygotowanie publikacji naukowej, 3) przygotowanie monografii naukowej związanej z tematyką projektu, 4) zaplanowanie konferencji naukowej, 5) przygotowanie kolejnego spotkania w Pradze.

    Ad. 1) Zgodnie z planem spotkania, scharakteryzowano powierzchnie leśne zlokalizowane w czterech krajach (PL, CZ, SK, HU), z których pozyskano materiał do badań. Omówiono sprawy związane z pozyskanym materiałem badawczym (rozdrobnione pozostałości zrębowe) i dostarczonym do laboratorium w CULS Prague. Przygotowany został plan badań i harmonogram prac laboratoryjnych. Przyjęta została metodyka badań. Zgodnie z ustaleniami, do końca lutego 2025, wszystkie próbki z powierzchni leśnych, które zostały dostarczone do laboratorium w CULS Prague zostaną poddane toryfikacji. Materiał referencyjny oraz toryfikat zostaną przesłane do laboratoriów w TUZ Zvolen oraz SGGW w Warszawie. Do końca czerwca zostaną przeprowadzone analizy próbek w CULS Prague, zostanie też wykona aglomeracja materiału oraz ocena właściwości mechanicznych peletów w SGGW w Warszawie. Do końca sierpnia planowane jest wykonanie analizy chemicznej materiału w TUZ Zvolen.

    Ad. 2) Kolejnym punktem było omówienie planu opracowania wyników badań i przygotowanie publikacji naukowej z badań, która ma być opublikowana w renomowanym czasopiśmie naukowym. Ustalono, że po zakończonych badaniach, do końca października, zostaną opracowane wyniki i będzie przygotowywany tekst publikacji naukowej. Analizy oraz pisanie tekstu zostaną podzielone pomiędzy wszystkie jednostki uczestniczące w projekcie. Zaplanowano, że finalny tekst publikacji będzie gotowy w listopadzie 2025. Wtedy zostanie wybrane czasopismo naukowe, do którego publikacja zostanie złożona. Wydanie publikacji zaplanowano w pierwszym kwartale 2026 roku, przed zakończeniem projektu.

    Ad. 3) Omówiono przygotowanie monografii naukowej dotyczącej tematyki projektu. Monografia zostanie przygotowana i wydana przed planowaną konferencją naukową. Otrzymają ją uczestnicy konferencji jako materiały konferencyjne. Na spotkaniu dokonano wstępnego przeglądu literatury, technologii i technik pozyskania biomasy leśnej w poszczególnych krajach V4, przygotowany został spis treści monografii z nazwami poszczególnych rozdziałów. Dokonano podziału treści i przydzielono poszczególne rozdziały do uczestników projektu. Termin napisana tekstu w pierwszej wersji zaplanowano na końca czerwca 2025 (przed spotkaniem w Pradze). W Pradze tekst zostanie omówiony. Końcowa wersja monografii ma zostać przesłana do wydawnictwa we wrześniu/październiku 2025, aby zdążyć z drukiem do konferencji zaplanowanej w połowie stycznia 2026r.

    Ad. 4) Omówiono wstępnie sprawy związane z przygotowaniem konferencji naukowej. Zarezerwowano termin i miejsce. W związku z remontem ośrodka w Zakopanem, który był pierwotnym miejscem konferencji wprowadzonym we wniosku, nastąpiła zmiana lokalizacji. Konferencja odbędzie się w ośrodku Lasów Państwowych w Krynicy Górskiej. Wstępnie ustalono skład Komitetu Naukowego i komitetu Organizacyjnego konferencji. Ustalono liczbę referatów. Zaproponowano, aby część referatów wygłosili przedstawiciele z przemysłu biomasowego, przedstawiciele Lasów Państwowych oraz producentów kotłów na biomasę.

    Ad. 5) Omówiono zagadnienia, które będą poruszane na drugim spotkaniu roboczym w Pradze. Przygotowaniem spotkania i sprawami organizacyjnymi zajmą się partnerzy z CULS Prague.

    W części terenowej spotkania, uczestnicy projektu odwiedzili certyfikowane Laboratorium Technologii Produkcji i Oceny Jakości Biopaliw, zakład i linię technologiczną przetwarzania biomasy do postaci pelletu. Zapoznali się również z funkcjonowaniem i rozwiązaniami konstrukcyjnymi kotłów do spalania pelletu oraz z problemami z tym związanymi. Uczestnicy projektu, mieli okazję dodatkowo zapoznać się z innymi technologiami wykorzystania odnawialnych źródeł energii w tym np. panele fotowoltaiczne czy pompy ciepła.

    W ramach wizyty w Zakładzie Termicznego Przetwarzania Odpadów w Krakowie (Ekospalarnia Kraków) obyło się szkolenie dotyczące wpływu termicznego przekształcania odpadów na środowisko naturalne. W ramach szkolenia odbyło się również zwiedzanie i zapoznanie się z proekologicznym funkcjonowaniem zakładu.

    W części kulturalno-oświatowej, zorganizowano zwiedzanie starej części Krakowa oraz wyście do muzeum „Rynek Podziemny”, gdzie uczestnicy spotkania mogli zapoznać się z zabytkami i poznać historię dawnej stolicy Polski.

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


    From 30 June 2025 to 3 July 2025, the second working meeting was held at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, organized as part of the international scientific project financed by the Visegrad Fund, titled „Logging Residue Torrefaction and Pressure Agglomeration as a Method to Conserve Fossil Fuels” (project ID 22420094). Scientists from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, the University of Agriculture in Krakow, the Czech University of Life Sciences, the University of Technology in Zvolen, and the University of Sopron (online) participated in the meeting.

    The meeting was divided into an on-site (office) and a field session. The office portion 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 31 July 2025. The text will then be submitted for translation into English. The partner from Prague (CZ) is responsible for the translation. Two months – until 30 September 2025 – are scheduled for translation and editorial revisions. The completed monograph is planned for submission to the Publishing House in early October 2025. A risk analysis related to the timely completion of the specified work was conducted, and a safety margin of approximately 20 days was adopted. It was determined that the final deadline for submitting the monograph to the Publishing House could be extended to 30 October 2025.
    The publishing house, Agricultural Engineering in Kraków (Poland), was selected to receive the monograph.
    The title of the monograph, „ENERGY UTILIZATION OF AGGLOMERATED FOREST RESIDUES,” was determined.
    The project leader (Poland) presented the first cover design during the meeting. It was generally accepted with minor revisions.
    By the Publishing House’s requirements, the names of 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. According to the research schedule, the researchers’ material from forest areas in each country was collected on time and transferred to the respective project partners.
    In Prague, the material was crushed and torrefied. The torrefied and reference material samples were then sent to the partners in Zvolen (SK) and Warsaw (PL).
    At the project leader’s office (Warsaw, PL), pressure agglomeration of the torrefied material and strength tests of the resulting pellets were performed. The Zvolen (SK) partner performed chemical analyses of the submitted material. In contrast, the partner from Prague (CZ) additionally performed elemental and energy studies, and the partner from Hungary (HU) characterized the test material.
    The mechanical and strength tests (PL) and chemical analyses (SK) were completed on schedule. Elemental and energy studies at the partner in Prague (CZ) were completed to 80%. These measurements will be completed by the end of July 2025. It was agreed that, if necessary, the partner in Poland will perform an additional series of mechanical and strength tests in September. 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 name (title), the composition of the Scientific Committee, and the 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 prepare and send invitations, with the partner in Krakow designated as the process supervisor. A preliminary list of individuals and entities to whom invitations will be sent has been established. The project leader (PL) will design and create a roll-up promoting the conference. A conference presentation template has been prepared, considering the requirements of the VF project. A template for abstracts, which will be published as part of the conference proceedings, has been prepared. The conference schedule, number of participants, and papers have been provisionally determined. A 15-minute time limit will be allocated for each paper.

    Re: 4) Discussion on preparing 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 project partners (SK, CZ, HU). The title of the publication was determined, and suggested journals to which the publication could be submitted were identified. It was agreed that the journals should be in the Q1 or Q2 category. Each partner must submit the completed text from the subsequent chapters for literature review, methodology, research results, and discussion by 1 September 2025. The project leader (PL) will coordinate the publication, oversee it, and upload it to the journals’ editorial systems. The publication’s completion date is 30 September 2025. After this date, 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 for publication in the VF system at this meeting. 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 for the first half of February 2026. During the practical part, organized by the Czech partners, three laboratories from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at the Czech University of Applied Sciences (CULS) in Prague were visited. Laboratory-scale biomass processing technologies were presented in the laboratories. Participants were also introduced to modern and specialized laboratory equipment 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 practitioners involved in biomass processing. Participants also had the chance to learn about the possibilities of torrefaction and agglomeration of biomass on an industrial scale.

     

    For the cultural and educational part, 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 excursion was to the Wastewater Treatment Museum, where participants learned about technologies for processing waste other than biomass.

„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.„

Dane kontaktowe koordynatora projektu:

Dr hab. inż. Arkadiusz Gendek, prof. SGGW – kierownik projektu

e-mail: arkadiusz_gendek@sggw.edu.pl

dr hab. inż. Monika Aniszewska, prof. SGGW – zastępca kierownika projektu

e:mail: monika_aniszewska@sggw edu.pl

Szkoła Głowna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie

Instytut Inżynierii Mechanicznej 

Nowoursynowska 166

02-787 Warszawa

Polska

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