The AAU biomass fuels characterization lab enables the user to study the reactivity of biomass fuels. The facility allows for investigation of combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. The core of the facility is an electrically heated single particle furnace with optical access. Single particle samples, such as individual fuel particles, or pellets can be studied. Initially the sample is held in a cold protective chamber. Inserting the sample to the high temperature reactor allows for studies with high heating rates. The sample can be moved to the cold cold chamber at any time, allowing for studies with different hold up times. Sample sizes up to 1 cm can be used. The composition of the feed to the reactor can be set by the operator. Mixures of O2/N2/CO2 and H2O are possible. In addition the feed can also be doped with other gases, such as NO or SO2. The siperficial velocity in the reactor is typically 0.1-0.5 m/s. The installation includes gas analyzers for monitoring the product gases. A the lab also a pressurized TG is available for fuel characterisation.

Current activities include understanding the influence of pyrolysis of biomasses. Also co-combustion of black liquor and solid bio fuels are being investigated. Other topics involve reactivity of various biomass chars, both woody as well as annual crops.