In this article, we introduce you to one of our long-term clients, the Savonia University of Applied Sciences who have a long experience in using our DX4000 FTIR gas analyzer. Research Engineer Janne Ylönen shared his thoughts about the cooperation between Gasmet and Savonia and told us how they’ve used the device in a number of flue gas research projects.

Department of Energy Technology Is an Active Flue Gas Research Unit

Janne Ylönen graduated as an energy technology engineer from Savonia University two years ago and has been working at the Varkaus campus ever since. His duties include conducting laboratory tests, sieve analyses, fuel-related tests and flue gas analyses, to name a few. His laboratory is also able to conduct a standardized calorimetric determination of the energy content of fuels. In addition, he supervises students’ theses projects, traineeships and pilot test run at the energy research center.

“We are using a 300 kW bubbling fluidized bed boiler and a 500 kW grate boiler in our research center. They need constant maintenance and test-related hardware changes between testings. It’s mainly my job to take care of those, even though students get to do some maintenance work and testing as part of their internships. We have a good active buzz going on with the students and staff”, Ylönen explains.

Accreditation Network Taking Savonia’s Laboratories to a New Level

The laboratory in Varkaus Campus, which Ylönen runs, is currently applying for an accredited test laboratory status for comparison measurement purposes. Savonia already has accreditation laboratories in Kuopio Campus (T301) for concrete testing and environmental testing, which helps in the accreditation process.

“Creating an accredited test laboratory network between our campuses is a necessity if we want our operations to be financially viable”, Ylönen explains.

Ylönen says that his laboratory hasn’t yet decided on any particular gas components in terms of accreditation, but market research is currently underway:

“We do have plans for the most common components, but we want to take a customer-oriented approach and answer to our clients’ needs.”

Savonia University Taking Part in Regional Research Innovation by the EU

In addition to educational purposes, Ylönen’s laboratory does research commissioned by local companies and technology organizations. Students often get to participate in these commissions, which offer them a great opportunity to create connections and gain work experience for future careers in the energy industry.

Ylönen’s team and the department of energy technology are also taking part in a vast EU-funded Energy Cluster North Savo research project, which aims at improving the international growth potential of businesses in the energy sector through innovation, services of research institutions and product development.

“Nothing quite like this energy cluster exists in Finland at the moment. We believe that it’s a great opportunity to increase international cooperation in the energy sector”, Ylönen thinks.

At the beginning of 2020, the project kicked off a research and development initiative in energy technology, which is divided into six focus areas according to participants’ knowledge and skills. These research focus areas are:

1. Recycling of ash & circular economy
2. Corrosion of boiler metals in high temperatures
3. Development of district heating systems
4. Development of monitoring services and accreditation
5. Boiler contamination and reducing emissions
6. Battery technology and retaining electricity

Promising results: Goose Farm’s Reduced SO₂ Levels with Calcium in Emissions

Ylönen’s laboratory utilizes two FTIR gas analyzers to study the effects of various bedding materials on emissions. They recently studied the effect of calcium on SO₂ (sulfur dioxide) emissions as part of a thesis project. The research found out that adding Calcium to the fuel decreased the amount of sulfur dioxide in the emissions.

In this particular study, Ylönen and the students used a somewhat unusual combustion material: the abattoir waste of a local goose farm.

“Our client is licensed to burn the animal waste from the farm, and we tested how adding calcium affects the flue gases. It was a very promising experiment and the results showed a significant change in the emissions. Several further experiments have followed our tests“, Ylönen illustrates.

Ylönen’s laboratory and research group also carry out sampling and measurements of carbon monoxide, NOx and sulfur for small combustion plants who want to improve the process control and usability of their plant.

“We’ve, for example, measured the effects of ammonia and urea sprayings on NOx reductions at combustion plants. Also, if a combustion plant needs help with their continuous measurements, we can help verify the results”, Ylönen explains.

DX4000 FTIR Gas Analyzer Benefits and User Experience

As mentioned earlier, Savonia University and Gasmet have been cooperating with each other for years, and the university has used Gasmet’s FTIR devices for over a decade. According to Ylönen, they have been very content with their experience with the portable DX4000 FTIR gas analyzer.

When Savonia University was considering to purchase a FTIR gas analyzer, the number one criterion was easy usability and user-friendliness:

“The DX4000 is a great FTIR analyzer for research and teaching purposes. It’s very agile and easy to handle, which enables versatile tests. Thanks to the portability it can be moved from one place to another very quickly”, lists Ylönen when asked about the advantages of the device.

Ylönen recommends the DX4000 to anyone who is looking for a reliable device with an active support and expert advice service.

“Gasmet’s people are always very helpful whenever we need advice. It’s a pleasure to work with these guys”, Ylönen sums.

Main image: Manager of Education and RDI Markku Huhtinen (on the left) and Research Engineer Janne Ylönen (on the right) from Savonia University of Applied Sciences with DX4000 FTIR Gas Analyzer.

 

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Learn more about our DX4000 Gasmet DX4000 is a portable FTIR gas analyzer for applications where multiple gas compounds need to be accurately monitored in hot & humid sample gas. It is the world’s smallest FTIR emissions monitoring system. The system can measure up to 50 gases simultaneously. Additional gases can be easily added without any hardware changes. The DX4000 is used in combination with our Portable Sampling System (PSS).