Pyrolysis and renewable carbon
SINTEF carries out research, technology development and innovation along the entire value chain for thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste-based biogenic feedstocks through pyrolysis. The work covers feedstock characterization, laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments, reactor and process development, modeling, scale-up, energy integration, product tailoring, industrial implementation and sustainability assessments.
We collaborate with industrial companies, technology suppliers, feedstock suppliers and research partners to develop robust and economically viable solutions for renewable carbon, energy utilization and circular use of biological resources. The main product routes include tailored biocarbon, pyrolysis gas, bio-oil and precursors for bio-pitch.
Our interdisciplinary approach combines advanced experimental facilities with process development, digital tools, systems analysis and industrial testing. This enables SINTEF to connect fundamental process understanding with practical decision support and implementation in energy-intensive industry.
Our areas of expertise
Feedstocks, characterization and conversion
- Characterization of forest-based biomass, agricultural residues, marine biomass, industrial side streams and waste-based biogenic materials
- Fuel and material properties, including composition, moisture, ash chemistry, particle properties and contaminants
- Thermal decomposition, reaction kinetics, product yield and carbon distribution
- Assessment and pretreatment of feedstocks for targeted product quality and stable process operation
Development and scale-up of pyrolysis processes
- Slow, intermediate and fast pyrolysis, selected based on the desired product portfolio
- Reactor experiments at laboratory and pilot scale, process optimization and product evaluation
- Reactor and process design, heat and mass balances, heat integration, process control, safety and operability
- Scale-up and integration of pyrolysis with industrial energy and production systems
Products and product tailoring
- Biocarbon with tailored chemical, physical, mechanical, electrical and reactive properties
- Utilization of pyrolysis gas for process heat, combined heat and power production and industrial energy integration
- Bio-oil for fuels, chemicals and carbon products
- Development and evaluation of bio-pitch precursors as renewable binders, including possible replacement of coal tar pitch (CTP) in relevant applications
Industrial applications
- Production of metallic silicon
- Production of manganese alloys, including SiMn and FeMn
- Iron and steel production
- Aluminium production, including electrode and anode materials
- Materials, chemicals, energy systems and district heating
- Stable biocarbon for long-term carbon storage and carbon-negative value chains
Modeling, digital tools and decision support
- Kinetic and thermodynamic modeling, CFD and process modeling
- Process simulation, digital twins, data analysis and optimization
- Techno-economic analyses and business case development
- Life cycle assessments, climate impact evaluation and optimization of circular value chains
Experimental and analytical capabilities
SINTEF has experimental and analytical capabilities covering key parts of the pyrolysis value chain. Activities can be tailored from limited studies of feedstocks or products to integrated process development programs and validation under industrially relevant conditions.
- Characterization of feedstocks and fuels
- Pyrolysis experiments at laboratory and pilot scale
- Analysis of gaseous, liquid and solid products
- Characterization of biocarbon, electrodes and anode materials
- Studies of combustion, gasification and energy integration
- Process modeling and techno-economic and environmental analyses
Why collaborate with SINTEF?
SINTEF offers an integrated combination of experimental research, modeling, process development and sustainability assessments. This makes it possible to cover the whole path from feedstock selection and technology development to product performance, industrial integration and documented climate effects.
- Interdisciplinary expertise from feedstock to industrial end use
- Close collaboration with Norwegian and international industry and research partners
- Industrially relevant testing, modeling and decision support
- A systems perspective that connects process performance, energy efficiency, economics, circularity and climate impact
Whether the goal is renewable reducing agents, low-carbon binders, integrated energy utilization, circular carbon products or long-term carbon storage, SINTEF can help develop and de-risk solutions from concept to industrial implementation.
