The AMRC has worked on world-leading research that could have significant benefits for sustainability and the reduction of emissions from wood combustion, in a joint collaboration with the University of Sheffield department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering metrology researchers. 

Led by Professor Jon Willmott from the University, the paper published in the October 2024 issue of the Fuel Journal, ‘Characterisation of wood combustion and emission under varying moisture contents using multiple imaging techniques’, used a pioneering approach to characterise the complex combustion process of natural wood with different moisture contents.

Involving the combustion of oak wood samples, the experiment enabled a detailed investigation into the combustion process, highlighting the potential of multi-wavelength techniques in combustion research. The research has highlighted the opportunity to monitor and improve the efficiency of wood combustion using advanced infrared imaging techniques, with findings having significant implications for optimising processes, impacting the broader field of energy and combustion science.

Contributing to the to the setup and methodology of the experiment, David King, head of digital design at the AMRC, said:  "This research collaboration with the AMRC, alongside the world-leading academics within the University of Sheffield, provides opportunities to develop real-time monitoring and efficiency improvements associated with the burning of wood for power and heating generation.

“The ability to improve the efficiency of combustion processes could significantly reduce the environmental impact of these processes."

You can read the full paper here.