PyroFilter

Challenge
Pyrolysis technology converts organic biomass such as straw, garden waste, and agricultural residues into a range of climate-friendly products. This is achieved by heating the material to several hundred degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen. The process produces biochar, which sequesters CO₂ and can be applied to agricultural land, as well as pyrolysis gas and oil that can be used as renewable energy sources.

Pyrolysis plants generate large volumes of particle-laden pyrolysis gas at high temperatures. Currently, there are no commercially available and proven filtration solutions capable of handling the demanding conditions associated with pyrolysis, including high temperatures, explosive atmospheres, tar formation, and varying biomass feedstocks. This results in higher operating costs and reduced uptime, limiting the production of sustainable pyrolysis products.

Solution
The partners in the PyroFilter project are developing and demonstrating a robust high-temperature filtration solution for pyrolysis gas. The innovation project combines operational experience from Stiesdal SkyClean’s pyrolysis plant, filtration expertise from IC Miljøteknik, and research-based knowledge from DTU.

Through testing of filter materials, cleaning methods, active filter coatings, and safety solutions, the consortium aims to develop a filtration system that can operate reliably under demanding pyrolysis conditions. The solution will be demonstrated at full scale at the SkyClean facility in Vrå.

Impact
The new filtration technology is expected to significantly increase plant uptime and reduce operating costs in pyrolysis facilities. At the same time, it will improve the quality of pyrolysis gas, enabling more efficient use in downstream processes such as bio-oil production, biomethanation, and the production of green fuels.

By supporting the scale-up of pyrolysis technology, the project contributes to carbon capture through biochar while creating new export opportunities for Danish filtration and energy technologies.