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FACULTY OF PHYSICS

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2026-06-11 23:58

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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2026 Meeting

Section: Physics and Technology of Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources

Title:

Intelligent Digital Platform ( AIDP ) for Optimizing Biomass Conversion into Energy,Syngas and Green Hydrogen

Authors:

Viorel DIMA, Ioan STAMATIN

^*
Affiliation:

University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, 405 Atomiștilor str., PO Box MG-38, Bucharest-Măgurele, România

E-mail

dimav300000@gmail.com

Keywords:

biomass conversion; gasification; syngas production; grape pomace; green hydrogen; biochar; artificial intelligence; PLC automation; renewable energy; circular economy

Abstract:

This paper identifies a biomass resource of approximately 5 billion kilograms generated annually in the European Union alone, in the form of a concentrated waste stream from the winemaking industry, which is currently insufficiently and inefficiently valorized. It is demonstrated that this biomass is comparable, in terms of calorific value, to high-quality beech wood, with an energy content between 5.2 and 5.5 kWh per kilogram. At the same time, the paper shows that the irrational management of this resource — including abandonment in open fields or uncovered storage platforms — may lead to methane emissions. Since methane (CH₄) has a climate impact approximately 27 times higher than CO₂, the resulting environmental footprint may be comparable to the annual pollution generated by more than 5 million cars, with a cumulative long-term effect. By comparison, the carbon dioxide resulting from the controlled combustion or gasification process performed in the equipment presented in this paper is considered to be of biogenic origin. Furthermore, if the possibility of incorporating into the soil the biochar produced during gasification is also taken into account, the overall carbon footprint may become at least carbon-neutral. The rational valorization of this critical biomass was experimentally investigated through controlled combustion and gasification, with the production of thermal energy, syngas — a mixture containing H₂, CO, CH₄ and other gases — and green hydrogen, using equipment specifically designed for this purpose. The possibility of producing electrical energy from the resulting syngas was also experimentally investigated. For the continuous monitoring and optimization of these processes, an AI-assisted digital platform was developed. The platform was equipped with sensors, a PLC with HMI, and data acquisition and processing capabilities, enabling the creation of process-parameter databases. These continuously expanding databases allow the AI system to extract patterns in order to improve efficiency and optimize the processes. The AIDP proposes process adjustments and can subsequently control the equipment directly, after approval by a human supervisor. The platform has a versatile character and can be adapted to a wide range of experiments and processes, not being limited to the equipment presented in this paper. The paper presents the construction and operating principles of the equipment in heat-production mode, as well as the intelligent switching to gasification mode. A practical demonstration is also presented, showing the remote real-time start-up, monitoring and control of the equipment from a distant location, using voice commands integrated into the AIDP.