Research interests

Thermochemical processes – pyrolysis and gasification

The group deals comprehensively with the problem of thermochemical conversions.

The research is focused on the construction of technological units using non-combustion technologies. Some of the results include:

Apparatus for multistage gasification of carbonaceous fuels (collaborated with TARPO and Energo Zlatá Olešnice companies):

Collaboration with Airtechnik company

The group also provides techno-economical and legal assessments of technology investments.

Projects

1. WASTen, z. s. - Kolektivní výzkum, Podprojekt 1 - ThermoValue – výzkum hodnotového řetězce produktů termického rozkladu a vývoj metody na jejich certifikaci (2021–2023) OPPIK

Articles

1. Vuppaladadiyam, S.S.V., Vuppaladadiyam, A.K., Sahoo, A., Urgunde, A., Murugavelh, S., Šrámek, V., Pohořelý, M., Trakal, L., Bhattacharya, S., Sarmah, A.K., Shah, K., Pant, K.K. Waste to energy: Trending key challenges and current technologies in waste plastic management. Science of The Total Environment 913, 169436, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169436. (WoS, JIF 8.2 /2023/, Q1/D1*).
2. Botla, G., Barmavatu, P., Pohořelý, M., Jeremiáš, M., Sikarwar, V.S. Optimization of value-added products using response surface methodology from the HDPE waste plastic by thermal cracking. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress 50, 102514, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2024.102514. (WoS, JIF 5.1 /2023/, Q1/D1*).
3. Pohořelý, M., Staf, M., Skoblia, S., Beňo, Z. Zařízení a způsob pro dehalogenaci primárního pyrolýzního plynu. A device and a method for the dehalogenation of a primary pyrolysis gas. Patent 309834, 22. 11. 2023.
4. Vuppaladadiyam, A.K., Vuppaladadiyam, S.S.V., Sikarwar, V.S., Ahmad, E., Pant, K.K., Murugavelh, S., Pandey, A., Bhattacharya, S., Sarmah, A., Leu, S.Y. A critical review on biomass pyrolysis: Reaction mechanisms, process modeling and potential challenges. Journal of the Energy Institute 108, 101236, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2023.101236. (WoS, JIF 5.7 /2022/, Q2).
5. Hidalgo Herrador, J.M., Babor, M., Tomar, R., Tišler, Z., Hubáček, J., de Paz Carmona, H., Frątczak, J., Vráblík, A., Ángeles, G.H. Polypropylene and rendering fat degrading to value-added chemicals by direct liquefaction and fast-pyrolysis. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 14, 1027–1036 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02405-4 (WoS, JIF 3.5 /2023/, Q2).
6. Sikarwar, V. S., Pohořelý, M., Meers, E., Skoblia, S., Moško, J., Jeremiáš, M. Potential of coupling anaerobic digestion with thermochemical technologies for waste valorization. Fuel 294, 120533, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.120533. (WoS, IF 6.609 /2020/, Q1).
7. Staf, M., Pohořelý, M., Skoblia, S., Beňo, Z., Šrámek, V. Stabilita pyrolýzních kondenzátů při jejich vysokoteplotním zpracování. Paliva 13, 131–140, (2021). https://doi.org/10.35933/paliva.2021.04.04. (Scopus).
8. Staf, M., Šrámek, V., Pohořelý, M. Halogenderiváty v plastech a jejich souvislost s pyrolýzou. Paliva. 2020, 12, 136-148. ISSN 1804-2058. https://doi.org/10.35933/paliva.2020.04.01. (Scopus).
9. Sedmihradská, A., Pohořelý, M., Jevič, P., Skoblia, S., Beňo, Z., Farták, J., Čech, B., Hartman, M. Pyrolysis of wheat and barley straw. Research in Agricultural Engineering 66, 8–17, (2020). https://doi.org/10.17221/26/2019-RAE. (Scopus).

Gas cleaning for industrial and advanced applications

- Primary pyrolysis gas

Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of raw material. The essence of pyrolysis is the heating of the material above the thermal stability limit of the organic compounds present, leading to their decomposition. The products of pyrolysis are pyrolysis gas, condensate (organic and aqueous fraction) and solid residue.

The primary pyrolysis gas is a mixture of pyrolysis gas and condensate above its dew point.

The research focuses on the dehalogenation of primary pyrolysis gas produced by steam pyrolysis of waste polymers.

Important knowledge of procedures to reduce the halide and halocarbon content of the condensate and pyrolysis gas to the lower tens of ppm_v is provided as a result of the research

The research is part of the knowledge in the field of chemical recycling. Achievements include:

Patent for a device and method for dehalogenation of primary pyrolysis gas.

Generator gas from biomass gasification

Gasification is the thermochemical conversion of carbonaceous material into a flue gas and a solid residue.

The research was focused on designing purification lines for the gas chemical energy recovery in the gas engines.

The results of the research were applied to several thermal power plants in the Czech Republic.

Plasma pyrolysis and gasification, Synthesis gas from plasma pyrolysis, plasma gasification

The research is focused on devising purification lines and on studying the chemisms of individual major reactions during deep purification of syngas to values acceptable for their advanced applications (production of chemical commodities, combined power and heat generation using SOFC and hydrogen separation).

The gas composition is also strongly dependent on the feed material. The materials investigated are:

•  natural gas, biogas or biomethane,
•  pure PE, PP,
• wood chips
•  solid alternative fuels,
• hospital waste,
• sewage sludge.

Flue gases from solid alternative fuels and biomass combustion

The research focuses on a scrubber design removing pollutants and steam to values suitable for CO₂ separation using membrane technology and/or (V)PSA as post-combustion CCS/U. The aim is to ensure compliance with future emission limits according to BAT 2030+, while enabling the integration of a CO₂ separation system, extremely sensitive to flue gas purity.

Projects

1. Plasma gasification of medical waste (2023–2025) TACR – TN02000069/004; sub-project of National centre of competence for Materials, Advanced Technologies, Coatings and their Applications.
2. National Centre for Energy II (2023–2028) TACR – TN02000025
3. Low-emission technologies of energy conversion of biomass and alternative fuels (2020–2025) TACR – TK03030167.
4.  Research and development project of material utilization technology of waste plastics and tires in the refinery and petrochemical industry in the Czech Republic (2020–2024) TACR – FW01010158

Articles

1.  Fathi, J., Mašláni, A., Hlína, M., Lukáč, F., Mušálek, R., Jankovský, O., Lojka, M., Jiříčková, A., Skoblia, S., Mates, T., Jaafar, N.N.B., Sharma, S., Pilnaj, D., Pohořelý, M., Jeremiáš, M. Multiple benefits of polypropylene plasma gasification to consolidate plastic treatment, CO₂ utilization, and renewable electricity storage. Fuel 368, 131692, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131692. (WoS, JIF 6.7 /2023/, Q1).
2. Mašláni, A., Hlína, M., Hrabovský, M., Křenek, P., Sikarwar, V.S., Fathi, J., Raman, S., Skoblia, S., Jankovský, O., Jiříčková, A., Sharma, S., Mates, T., Mušálek, R., Lukáč, F., Jeremiáš, M. Impact of natural gas composition on steam thermal plasma assisted pyrolysis for hydrogen and solid carbon production. Energy Conversion and Management 297, 117748, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117748. (WoS, JIF 10.4 /2022/, Q1/D1*).
3. Sikarwar, V.S., Pfeifer, C., Ronsse, F., Pohořelý, M., Meers, E., Kaviti, A.K., Jeremiáš, M. Progress in in-situ CO₂-sorption for enhanced hydrogen production. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 91, 101008, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2022.101008. (WoS, JIF 35.339 /2021/, Q1*/D1).
4. Svoboda, K., Pohořelý, M., Ružovič, T., Veselý, V., Brynda, J., Zach, B., Šyc, M. Mercury removal in coal-fired power plants, possibilities how to attain very low emissions and minimization of hazardous waste stream. Paliva 14, 35–67, (2022). https://doi.org/10.35933/paliva.2022.01.05. (Scopus).
5.  Svoboda, K., Ružovič, T., Pohořelý, M., Hartman, M., Šyc, M. Removal of Mercury from Acidic Solutions of Mercury Chloride by Means of Sorbents Prepared by Catalyzed Vulcanization of Vegetable Oils. Chemické listy 116, 48–55, (2022). https://doi.org/10.54779/chl20220048. (WoS, JIF 2.146 /2020/, Q3).
6. Sikarwar, V.S., Peela, N.R., Vuppaladadiyam, A.K., Ferreira, N.L., Maslani, A., Tomar, R., Pohořelý, M., Meers, E., Jeremiáš, M. Thermal plasma gasification of organic waste stream coupled with CO₂-sorption enhanced reforming employing different sorbents for enhanced hydrogen production. RSC Advances 12, 6122–6132, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA07719H. (WoS, JIF 4.036 /2021/, Q2).
7.  Sikarwar, V.S., Mašláni, A., Hlína, M., Fathi, J., Mates, T., Pohořelý, M., Meers, E., Šyc, M., Jeremiáš, M. Thermal plasma assisted pyrolysis and gasification of RDF by utilizing sequestered CO₂ as gasifying agent. Journal of CO₂ Utilization 66, 102275, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2022.102275. (WoS, JIF 8.321 /2021/, Q1).
8. Sikarwar, V. S., Reichert, A., Pohorely, M., Meers, E., Ferreira, N. L., Jeremias, M. Equilibrium modeling of thermal plasma assisted co-valorization of difficult waste streams for syngas production, Sustainable Energy & Fuels 5, 4650–4660, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SE00998B. (WoS, JIF 6.367 /2020/, Q1).
9. Zach, B., Šyc, M., Svoboda, K., Pohořelý, M. Šomplák, R., Brynda, J., Moško, J., Punčochář, M. The influence of SO2 and HCl concentrations on the consumption of sodium bicarbonate during flue gas treatment. Energy & Fuels 35, 5064–5073 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c03655. (WoS, JIF 3.605 /2020/, Q2).
10. Mašláni, A., Hrabovský, M., Křenek, P., Hlína, M., Raman, S., Sikarwar, V. S., Jeremiáš, M. Pyrolysis of methane via thermal steam plasma for the production of hydrogen and carbon black. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 46, 1605–1614, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.10.105. (WoS, JIF 5.816 /2020/, Q2).
11.  Sikarwar, V. S., Hrabovský, M., Van Oost, G., Pohořelý, M., Jeremiáš, M. Progress in waste utilization via thermal plasma. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 81, 100873, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2020.100873. (WoS, JIF 28.938 /2019/, Q1/D1*).
12. Ruzovic T., Svoboda K., Leitner J., Pohorely, M., Hartman M.: Thermodynamic possibilities of flue gas dry desulfurization, de-HCl, removal of mercury, and zinc compounds in a system with Na2CO3, Ca(OH)2, sulfur, and HBr addition. Chemical Papers 74, 951–962, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-019-00930-7. (WoS, JIF 1.680 /2019/, Q3). 

Fluid combustion of solid fuels

The research focuses on the design of technologies for mono-combustion of sewage sludge or biomass and co-combustion of coal and solid alternative fuels, or biomass and solid alternative fuels.

The group also provides techno-economical and legal assessments of technology investments.

RDF	hop	sewage sludge	walnuts	post-harvest residues

District heating

The research focuses on the use of energy storage technologies to optimize the operation of heat networks and contribute to their decarbonization. District heating (DH) plays a key role in the Czech energy industry as it provides hot water for heating, hot water for urban citizens and steam for industrial plants. DH CZT operators face significant sustainability challenges related to legal obligations to reduce emissions, escalating financial costs of GHG production and economic pressures to improve energy efficiency in the face of rising fuel prices.

Research focuses on collaboration with industry partners. It is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current state of DH in the Czech Republic, to identify suitable energy storage technologies, including both short-term and long-term (seasonal) solutions, and to propose an integrated approach for their use in DH operations, with an emphasis on optimising operations and reducing emissions of legally monitored pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Articles

1. Verma, S.K., Kumar, R., Mendiburu, A.Z., Thakur, A.K., Gupta, L.R., Gehlot, A., Sikarwar, V.S. Experimental and numerical investigations with multifunctional heat transfer fluid to evaluate the performance of a thermal energy storage system. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress 53, 102717, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2024.102717. (WoS, JIF 5.1 /2023/, Q1/D1*)
2.  Kumar, R., Thakur, A.K., Gupta, L.R., Gehlot, A., Sikarwar, V.S. Advances in phase change materials and nanomaterials for applications in thermal energy storage. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31, 6649–6677, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31718-8. (WoS).

Other significant results and projects

Projects

1. PFAS removal from groundwater including final disposa (2025 – 2028) TACR  – SQ01020164.
2. Long-term and reliable production of drinking water using activated carbon considering the circular economy approach (2024-2026) TACR – SS07020146
3. Residual xenobiotics reduction in fresh water under specific conditions of waterworks Káraný (2020–2023) TACR – SS01020063
4. Biofiltration Impregnated Composite Materials and Substrates (2020–2023) TACR – FW01010370

Articles

1.  Kaviti, A.K., Mohiuddin, S.A., Sikarwar, V.S. Black Body-Inspired Chemically Oxidized Nanostructures with Varied Perforations: A New Frontier in Solar Desalination. Water 16, 3444, (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/w16233444 (WoS, JIF 3.0 /2023).
2. Kaviti, A.K., Prasad, M.S., Bhanu Venkata Naga Teja, V., Sikarwar, V.S. Synergistic Impact of Magnets and Fins in Solar Desalination: Energetic, Exergetic, Economic, and Environmental Analysis. Processes 12, 2554, (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112554 (WoS, JIF 2.8 /2023).
3. Ramena, D.V.P., Vikram, K.A., Chebolu, R. Barmavatu, P., Sikarwar, V.S., Giri, J., Sathish, T. Sustainable green cutting fluid for interpreting optimization of process variables while machining on various CNC manufacturing systems—an experimental approach for exploring. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-024-14028-2.
4. Kaviti, A.K., Akkala, S.R., Jeremias, M., Pohorely, M., Sikarwar, V.S. Submerged nanoporous anodized alumina structure for solar-powered desalination. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33971-x. (WoS).
5. Swami, S., Suthar, S., Singh, R., Thakur, A.K., Gupta, L.R., Sikarwar, V.S. Potential of ionic liquids as emerging green solvent for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31, 12871–12891, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32100-y. (WoS)
6. Kaviti, A.K., Kumar, Y.P., Sikarwar, V.S. Copper-Plated Nanoporous Anodized Aluminum Oxide for Solar Desalination: An Experimental Study. Sustainability 16, 2220, (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052220 (WoS, JIF 3.3 /2023/, Q2)
7. Kaviti, A.K., Akkala, S.R., Pohořelý, M., Sikarwar, V.S. Performance Analysis of Floating Structures in Solar-Powered Desalination. Energies 17, 621, (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030621 (WoS, JIF 3.0 /2023/, Q3)
8.  Swami, S., Suthar, S., Singh, R., Thakur, A.K., Gupta, L.R., Sikarwar, V.S. Integration of anaerobic digestion with artificial intelligence to optimise biogas plant operation. Environment, Development and Sustainability (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-04326-2. (WoS).
9.  Zhovmir, M.M., Moško, J., Farták, J., Jiříček, I., Pohořelý, M. Complex Study of Straw Suitability for the Production of Nonindustrial Straw Pellets. ACS Omega 8, 47100–47112, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c07057. (WoS, JIF 4.1 /2022/, Q2)
10. Kaviti, A.K., Teja, M., Madhukar, O., Teja, P.B., Aashish, V., Gupta, G.S., Sivaram, A., Sikarwar, V.S. Productivity Augmentation of Solar Stills by Coupled Copper Tubes and Parabolic Fins. Energies 16, 6606, (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186606. (WoS, JIF 3.2 /2022/, Q3)
11.  Kaviti, A.K., Akkala, S.R., Ali, M.A., Anusha, P., Sikarwar, V.S. Performance Improvement of Solar Desalination System Based on CeO2-MWCNT Hybrid Nanofluid. Sustainability 15, 4268, (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054268. (WoS, JIF 3.9 /2022/, Q2).
12.  Kaviti, A.K., Akkala, S.R., Sikarwar, V.S., Sai Snehith, P., Mahesh, M. Camphor-Soothed Banana Stem Biowaste in the Productivity and Sustainability of Solar-Powered Desalination. Applied Sciences 13, 1652, (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031652. (WoS, JIF 2.7 /2022/, Q2).
13.  Thakur, A.K., Singh, R., Gehlot, A., Kaviti, A.K., Aseer, R., Suraparaju, S.K., Natarajan, S.K., Sikarwar, V.S. Advancements in solar technologies for sustainable development of agricultural sector in India: a comprehensive review on challenges and opportunities. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29, 43607–43634, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20133-0 (WoS, JIF 5.190 /2021/, Q2).
14. Mohiuddin, S.A., Kaviti, A.K., Rao, T.S., Sikarwar, V.S. Historic review and recent progress in internal design modification in solar stills. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29, 38825–38878 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19527-x. (WoS, JIF 5.190 /2021/, Q2).
15. Sun, D., Ardestani, M. M., Pohořelý, M., Moško, J., Winding, A., Bonkowski, M., Zhao, Y., Frouz, J. Does micro-sized pyrogenic carbon made in lab affect earthworm mortality in restrained water content?. (short communication). Applied Soil Ecology 177, 104540 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104540. (WoS, JIF 5.509 /2021/, Q2).
16.  Akkala, S. R., Kaviti, A. K., ArunKumar, T., Sikarwar, V. S. Progress on suspended nanostructured engineering materials powered solar distillation- a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 143, 110848, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110848. (WoS, JIF 14.982 /2020/, Q1/D1*).
17.  Sikarwar, V. S., Reichert, A., Jeremias, M., Manovic, V. COVID-19 pandemic and global carbon dioxide emissions: A first assessment. Science of The Total Environment 794, 148770, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148770. (WoS, JIF 7.963 /2020/, Q1/D1*).
18.  Kaviti, A.K., Akkala, S.R., Sikarwar, V.S. Productivity enhancement of stepped solar still by loading with magnets and suspended micro charcoal powder. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects, 1–19, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2021.2006371. (WoS, JIF 3.447 /2020/, Q2).
19.   Hásl, T., Jiříček, I., Jeremiáš, M., Farták, J., Pohořelý, M. Cost/Performance Analysis of Commercial-Grade Organic Phase-Change Materials for Low-Temperature Heat Storage. Energies 3, 4087, (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/en13010005. (WoS, JIF 2.702 /2019/, Q3).