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Research & Development

Advancing energy technology through continuous innovation and academic partnerships.

Research Focus Areas

Our research drives innovation in thermal energy technology and industrial process optimization.

Low-Temperature Coal Drying

Innovative drying technology using waste heat to reduce moisture in lignite and sub-bituminous coals.

Thermal Efficiency Optimization

Advanced methods to maximize heat transfer and combustion efficiency in power plants.

Waste Heat Recovery Systems

Capturing and utilizing waste heat from industrial processes to improve overall efficiency.

Emissions Reduction Technology

Clean energy solutions including dry FGD systems and combustion optimization for lower emissions.

Process Heat Integration

Optimizing thermal systems through advanced CFD modeling and process engineering.

Renewable Energy Integration

Integrating renewable energy sources with existing thermal power infrastructure.

Developed Technologies

Proprietary systems and equipment developed through years of research, some patented and others under active development.

Developed

Online Pulverized Coal Flow Balancing System

Real-time balancing system for all types of mills that optimizes fuel distribution across burners for improved combustion efficiency.

Developed

Pulverized Coal Deposit Detection and Alarm Sensor

Sensor system for horizontal piping that detects coal deposits before they cause blockages.

Developed

Isokinetic Coal Mass Flow and PA Velocity Measurement System

Precision measurement system for coal mass flow rate and primary air velocity using isokinetic sampling techniques.

Under Development

Online Coal Mass Flow and PA Velocity Measurement System

Continuous online monitoring system for real-time coal flow and primary air velocity measurement without manual sampling.

Developed

Dust Explosion Characterization and Testing Apparatus

Laboratory apparatus for characterizing dust explosion parameters including Pmax, Kst, and minimum ignition energy.

Developed

Dry Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) System

Cost-effective dry scrubbing system for SO2 removal without the water consumption of wet FGD systems.

Developed

High-Performance Classifier for Drum and Hammer Mills

Advanced classifier design that improves particle size distribution and reduces oversized coal particles from mills.

Core R&D Areas

Deep technical expertise across the full spectrum of thermal power plant optimization and emissions control.

Combustion Optimization & Diagnostics

Advanced techniques to maximize combustion efficiency while minimizing emissions and unburned carbon.

  • Burner and air-fuel staging optimization
  • Unburned carbon (UBC) reduction strategies
  • CO and NOx minimization through combustion tuning

Advanced CFD & Multiphysics Modeling

State-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics for virtual prototyping and design validation.

  • Full-scale boiler and furnace CFD simulations
  • Combustion, radiation, and particle transport modeling
  • Design validation before costly field modifications

Coal Flow & Fuel Distribution Optimization

Ensuring uniform fuel distribution across all burners for optimal combustion performance.

  • Pipe-to-pipe coal flow balancing
  • Pulverizer optimization and performance testing
  • Particle size distribution control and fineness improvement

Slagging & Fouling Mitigation

Preventing ash-related operational issues through chemistry-based prediction and control.

  • Ash chemistry analysis and deposition prediction
  • Temperature profile optimization to reduce slagging
  • Sootblowing optimization and fouling prevention strategies

Waste-Heat Integrated Coal Drying

Proprietary low-temperature drying technology using waste heat to improve fuel quality.

  • Low-temperature waste heat utilization (<150C)
  • Lignite and high-moisture coal drying systems
  • Pilot-scale to commercial-scale system design

Boiler Efficiency Enhancement

Systematic approaches to identify and eliminate efficiency losses throughout the boiler system.

  • Comprehensive heat-loss diagnostics and audits
  • Air preheater leakage detection and correction
  • Flue gas temperature and excess air optimization

Emissions Reduction Technologies

Operational, combustion-control based solutions that improve compliance without SCR or FGD equipment retrofits.

  • NOx, CO, PM, SO2, and mercury reduction strategies
  • Oxygen trim and combustion optimization for lower emissions
  • Measurement and verification (M&V) protocols

Field Measurement & Baseline Testing

On-site diagnostic testing to establish baselines and verify improvement results.

  • In-situ coal flow, temperature, and velocity measurements
  • Performance mapping and baseline establishment
  • Before/after verification and documentation

Digital Twins & Performance Monitoring

Data-driven models for continuous optimization and predictive maintenance.

  • Physics-based and data-driven hybrid models
  • CFD-integrated real-time performance prediction
  • Decision-support tools for operators and engineers

Low-CAPEX Retrofit & Upgrade Technologies

High-impact improvements requiring minimal capital investment and short payback periods.

  • Minimal-hardware performance improvements
  • Fast-payback solutions (typically <2 years)
  • Operational optimization before major equipment changes

Patents

Our patented technologies protect innovative solutions developed through years of research.

US US Patents

Title Number Year
In-line Mill Assembly with Spreader Ring Granted US 10,835,903 2020
In-line Mill Assembly with Spreader Ring Granted US 9,446,383 2016
In-line Mill Assembly with Spreader Ring Granted US 9,079,185 2015
On-line Coal Flow Control Mechanism for Vertical Spindle Mills Granted US 8,181,584 2012
On-line Coal Flow Control Mechanism for Vertical Spindle Mills Granted US 7,549,382 2009
Adjustable Air Foils for Balancing Pulverized Coal Flow at a Coal Pipe Splitter Junction Granted US 7,013,815 2006
On-line Control of Coal Flow Granted US 6,966,508 2005
Adjustable Flow Control Elements for Balancing Pulverized Coal Flow at Coal Pipe Splitter Junctions Granted US 6,789,488 2004

TR Turkish Patents

Title Number Year
Kinetik Enerjiyi Elektrik Ve Mekanik Enerjiye Çeviren Mikro Ölçekli Su Türbini (Micro-scale water turbine converting kinetic energy into electrical and mechanical energy) Pending 2022/004877 2022
Kömürlü Kazanlarda Verimli Ve Düşük Emisyonlu Yanma İçin Teğetsel Beslemeli Hava Kanalları (Tangentially-fed air ducts for efficient, low-emission combustion in coal-fired boilers) Pending Faydalı Model (utility model) 2021/004005 2021
Pulsasyonlu Akışkan Yatak Linyit Zenginleştirme Sistemi (Pulsating fluidized-bed lignite beneficiation system) Pending TR 2018/21320 2018
Pnömatik Taşıma Hatlarında Katı Partikül Çökelmelerini Algılama Ve Önleme Sistemi (Detection and prevention system for solid particle deposits in pneumatic conveying lines) Pending 2018/01028 2018
Kömür Kurutma ve Zenginleştirme Sistemi (Coal drying and beneficiation system) Pending 2013/06134 2013

Publications

More than 60 publications in scientific journals and international conferences advancing the science of energy engineering.

Showing 10 of 64 publications
1

Enhancement of Lignite using Waste Heat from Coal-fired Power Plants

Energy and Mines, Vol. 5, No. 14, July–September 2016 2016 H. Bilirgen
2

Slagging In PC Boilers and Developing Mitigation Strategies

Fuel, Vol. 115, pp. 618–624, January 2014 2014 H. Bilirgen
3

Numerical Modeling of Finned Heat Exchangers Used For Cooling Power Plant Flue Gas

Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 61, Issue 2, pp. 278–288, 3 November 2013 2013 H. Bilirgen, S. Dunbar, E. Levy
4

Mercury capture by boiler modifications with sub-bituminous coals

Fuel, Vol. 94, pp. 361–367, April 2012 2012 H. Bilirgen, C. Romero
5

Performance Improvements and Rehabilitation Needs in Thermal Power Plants

Engineer and Machine (Mühendis ve Makina), Vol. 52, Issue 617, pp. 107–115 (in Turkish), June 2011 2011 H. Bilirgen
6

Accuracy analysis of the window overlapping technique for velocity measurements using artificial and real signals

Powder Technology, Vol. 201, Issue 2, pp. 138–145, July 2010 2010 H. Bilirgen
7

Analytical modeling of water condensation in condensing heat exchanger

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 53, Issues 11–12, pp. 2361–2368, May 2010 2010 K. Jeong, M. Kessen, H. Bilirgen, E. Levy
8

Optimization of a 350 MW Oil-fired Boiler in Mexico for NOx and Particulate Matter Emissions Control

Ingeniería Mecánica Tecnología y Desarrollo, Vol. 3, Issue 1, pp. 10–16, 2008 2008 C. Romero, N. Sarunac, R. Moreno, Z. Yao, H. Bilirgen
9

Field Experience with Mercury Emissions Control From Coal-fired Power Plants by Boiler Optimization

International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment, Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp. 287–304, 2007 2007 C. Romero, H. Bilirgen, N. Sarunac, E. Levy
10

Comparison and validation of OHM and SCEM measurements for a full-scale coal-fired power plant

Chemical Engineering Communications, Vol. 194, pp. 1596–1607, 2007 2007 B. He, Y. Cao, C. Romero, H. Bilirgen, N. Sarunac, H. Agarwal, W. Pan

Research & Academic Partners

Collaborating with national research institutions and universities in Türkiye and the USA on joint research initiatives.

TÜBİTAK

Ankara, Turkey

Joint research collaboration with Türkiye's national science and technology research council within our in-house R&D Center.

KOSGEB

Ankara, Turkey

Joint research collaboration with Türkiye's small and medium enterprise development organization within our in-house R&D Center.

Istanbul Technical University

Istanbul, Turkey

Joint research collaboration within our in-house R&D Center.

Çukurova University

Adana, Turkey

Joint research collaboration within our in-house R&D Center.

Lehigh University

Pennsylvania, USA

Energy Research Center collaboration on coal drying and emissions reduction.

Partner logos will be displayed once provided.

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