Combustion and environmental technology

The cost-effective and ecological supply of energy in Germany is a major political goal and one of the top priorities of the German energy industry. Renewable energy sources, especially biomass, are expected to play a major role in meeting the energy requirements of residential buildings in the future, especially in view of the new energy policy. Biomass is an important and versatile renewable source of energy that can contribute significantly to climate protection and also help to meet national sustainability targets by markedly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The group Combustion and Environmental Technology primarily researches and develops thermal conversion technologies for biomass, as well as measures for avoiding and treating exhaust gases. Research work focuses on the combined generation of heat and power (cogeneration), the control and monitoring of processes and plants as well as on energy management and supply concepts for residential buildings based on renewable energy sources.

The “Combustion and Environmental Technology” group also operates a test laboratory for fireplaces, exhaust gas systems, downstream heat exchangers and exhaust gas treatment systems, especially dust collectors, which is officially recognized by the European building authorities. In this flexibly DAkkS-accredited test laboratory, approval tests are carried out in accordance with the German construction products ordinance (Code Number 1004), as well as on construction products in accordance with German state building regulations (Code Number BWU 10).

 

Pyrolysis and combustion technologies

Pyrolysis (degassing and gasification) with combustion is the best-known method for generating energy from biomass and biogenic residual fuels for plants with various outputs or sizes, especially for decentralized applications.

 

Cogeneration / combined heat and power plants

Smaller combined heat and power plants for domestic and commercial use that are fueled by biomass are becoming increasingly important from the energy, climate and environmental point of view. Our research activities focus on optimizing processes and improving the efficiency of plants with lower outputs.

 

Measuring, control and monitoring technology

The measurement of physical, chemical and thermodynamic parameters is highly important when it comes to characterizing and developing process engineering technologies. The characteristics calculated from the parameters are used to control, regulate and digitize systems.

 

Exhaust gas treatment and air pollution control

The environmentally-friendly operation of industrial processes which emit pollutants, such as incineration plants, can only be achieved through the use of innovative technologies and the adequate treatment of exhaust gas. In this context, it is particularly important to reduce pollutant emissions that have a negative impact on the quality of the air and directly endanger human health.

 

Heat management and heat storage technologies

Cost-effective energy supply not only results from efficient heat production, but also from the optimum use of the heat produced. This can only be achieved by implementing innovative energy management systems which take all existing heat sources and factors into account.

 

Immission control and technical air pollution control

To achieve high utilization efficiency, many decentralized heat supply systems need to store the generated heat temporarily - especially if different heat sources are used. We have extensive knowledge of low and high temperature storage based on the use of liquid and solid storage materials.