Northern Arctic Federal University (NArFU) is launching a project to convert biomass into energy sources. It is planned that by the fall of 2026, scientists will create a continuous reactor. The program is designed for the period from 2026 to 2028.
Scientists use torrefaction and pyrolysis — heating raw materials without oxygen. As a result, biomass decomposes into biochar, combustible gases, and a liquid fraction. It is the liquid that will become the basis for the new fuel. The laboratory setup allows precise control of temperature and analysis of reaction products in real time, which helps to find the optimal parameters of the process.
The main difficulty of the project is the refinement of the pyrolysis liquid. In its original form, it is unstable, has high acidity and low energy intensity. Scientists are developing methods of purification and stabilization to bring the product characteristics closer to gasoline and diesel. Such fuel can be used in existing power systems without major equipment upgrades.
The project solves practical problems of the region: disposal of wood waste and obtaining a renewable energy carrier. The use of modern methods of analysis — microscopy, thermal studies, chromatography — allows studying the processes at the molecular level. If experiments confirm the effectiveness, by 2028 the technology may reach the level of pilot production.
.jpg)
