Laboratory of Energy Technology
The Laboratory of Energy Technology at the Department of Energy Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, is an applied research center developed to carry out different thermochemical studies.
The laboratory features a pilot-scale Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC, 60 kWth) facility that has been utilized in various projects, including the incineration of pyrolytic wastewater, oxy-fuel combustion, semicoke combustion, and related projects to study the emissions of gaseous pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particles, heavy metals etc. Additionally, a pilot-scale Fluidized Bed Fast Pyrolysis (FBFP, 50 kWth) facility is also under commissioning, which is designed to investigate pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of various feedstock (e.g., biomass, oil shale, plastics, wastes, etc.) for high-quality oil production. The gasification studies can also be implemented on these two pilot facilities potentially.
The laboratory has also three household boilers utilizing different fuels (including natural gas, pellets, and firewood), one stove, and heating network model. These facilities are used for student training courses (also in the EuroTeQ framework), experimental thesis works, and for interlaboratory air emission comparison measurement campaigns that have been carried out both at national and international level.
This test hall offers a range of research opportunities in combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, heating, and emissions testing, supporting both academic and industrial projects. Various feedstocks, e.g., woody biomass, agricultural residues, oil shale, waste plastics, solid wastes, can be evaluated and analyzed for different purposes, such as fuel quality evaluation, pollution release characterization, bio-oil and bio-char production, heat distribution analysis, and environmental impact assessments, etc. Combined with the advanced analytical capabilities of the certified laboratory, the Laboratory of Energy Technology offers comprehensive support for the complete analysis and testing of the entire process, ensuring thorough and reliable results for research and industrial applications.
In 2024, a heating substation training stand was added to the Energy Technology Laboratory, developed in collaboration with several companies. The stand was made possible through contributions from AS Eesti Termotehnika, Danfoss AS, Silekt OÜ, Fimole OÜ, SIA Grundfos Eesti, and Küttemaailm OÜ. With this stand, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the components required in a modern heating substation. It also allows for verification of heat exchanger calculations and teaches how to select the correct components (pumps, valves, etc.) for heat supply systems. The equipment is operated via an interactive computer interface, enabling graphical monitoring of all parameter changes. Together with small boilers and emission measurement test devices, the stand forms an integrated system where students can explore and calculate various methods of heat production, heat distribution, and resulting air emissions.
The Energy Technology Laboratory plays an indispensable role in the education and further training of future energy technology and thermal engineering engineers. It provides a testing environment that helps prevent miscalculations in the design and construction of energy systems.
Contact: Head of Laboratory Hain Dengo
e-post: hain.dengo@taltech.ee
tel: +372 620 3916