European Commission has granted Inray Oy around 1.2 million euros under the Horizon 2020 programme for demonstrating the OPTIFUEL system that has been designed to enhance the efficiency of bio-energy production. The OPTIFUEL system is based on a real-time x-ray measurement system. The system has been developed by Inray Oy and is used for measuring fuel quality at various stages of the process at a power plant owned by Turun Seudun Energiatuotanto and at a paper mill in Great Britain. The aim is to optimize the energy production process through better fuel management.
Variation in fuel quality is a central challenge in bio-energy production. Bio-fuels can contain 15-80% of water and up to one-fifth of non-combustible materials. At its worst, processing and transporting the fuel takes up more energy than is released when it is burned. These poor quality deliveries generate unnecessary expenses and pose a challenge to the operations of the power plant. Real-time information of fuel quality allows the power plant to take predictive measures and reduce the additional expenses caused by poor quality fuels.
“Inray Oy has developed, in close cooperation with its customers, a real-time fuel quality measurement system that replaces the traditional methods based on sampling. The system was tested for the first time in 2011 at a power plant owned by Etelä-Savon Energia. At present, the system is used by various Finnish power plants. The now granted EU funding allows taking the system to a new level and also facilitates its quicker introduction to global markets”, says Managing Director Janne Kovanen.
Further information: Janne Kovanen, +358 44 967 7927
Inray Oy develops x-ray systems for continuous measurement and production optimization tools especially for the energy production sector. The company’s main product is the INRAY FUEL quality measurement system, which allows the customers to cut production costs and reduce the emissions generated by their operations. www.inray.fi
Turun Seudun Energiantuotanto Oy ensures the availability of energy in the Turku Region economically and efficiently based on its diverse production capacity. The company is owned by Fortum (49.5%), Turku Energia (39.5%), City of Raisio (5%), City of Naantali (3%), and City of Kaarina (3%). www.tset.fi
Horizon 2020 is the EU’s eight framework programme that aims at supporting and encouraging research within the European Research Area. The programme period covers the years 2014 through 2020, and the total funding of the programme amounts to nearly 80 billion euros. The aim of the programme is to support the growth and creation of jobs within the EU and to strengthen the global position of European companies.https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 733664