Heriot-Watt University and IMRANDD Limited KTP 24_25 R2

A new sensor will track the chemical composition of plant waste as it moves through a reactor, giving operators real-time control over how that material turns into gas. Turning wood chips, crop residues, or other biomass into syngas—a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide—is a promising route to low-carbon fuels and chemicals. But the process is notoriously inconsistent. The feedstock varies in moisture, density, and chemical makeup, and current quality checks happen offline, often hours after the material has already been processed. This lag means operators cannot adjust conditions quickly enough to maintain a steady, high-quality output. If the tool works, it will allow manufacturers to tweak temperature, pressure, or feed rate on the fly, reducing waste and improving yield. That could make biomass-to-syngas plants more economically viable, helping to displace fossil fuels in sectors like industrial heating or chemical production. The project is applied engineering—it takes an existing measurement technique and adapts it for a harsh, real-world environment. Success would mean fewer failed batches and a more reliable supply chain for renewable gas.