Esa Vakkilainen

Esa Vakkilainen
Professor
Energy
LUT School of Energy Systems
Lappeenranta
+358 40 357 8684
Research areas
Biotechnology
Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Environmental Engineering
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Modelling and Simulation
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science

Biography

2014-2017 Visiting professor, St Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Department of Nuclear and Energy engineering, St Petersburg
- lectures on Bioenergy Technology
- lectures on Energy Systems Engineering
- lectures on Steam boilers
- lectures on Thermal power systems
- lectures on Waste heat recovery
2012-2016 LUT Head of doctoral program Energy
2009-2016 LUT Head of degree program Energy
2012-2014 Vice Dean, Faculty of Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology (In charge of education)
2009-2014 LUT Energy Head of International Degree Program Bio-Energy
2001-2009 Leading expert recovery, Pöyry Forest Industry Oy, Forest Industry Engineering, Recovery, Energy and Environment
- area manager for recovery for several green field mills
- responsible for recovery feasibility studies in all continents
- development of recommendations for fining NCG in recovery boiler
- expert advice on recovery boilers, black liquor gasification, biofuel production, electricity generation etc.
2000-2001 Senior development manager, Andritz-Ahlstrom Corporation, Kraft Mill Business
- responsible for technical content in recovery boiler proposals
- responsible for guarantees in recovery boiler proposals
- development of standards for recovery boiler offerings
1992-2000 Senior research manager, Ahlstrom Machinery Corporation, Recovery processes
- management of research team
- directing national and international co-operative research
- use of artificial intelligence tools in steam generator design
- development of visual interface of design environment
- environmental policy analysis
- development of new recovery boiler air system
- spraying of high dry solids liquors
- use of cell automation in combustion simulations
1988-1991 Development manager, CAE, A. Ahlström Osakeyhtiö, Varkaus
- management of CAE
- steam and water circulation
- black liquor combustion
- pressurized gasification of biofuels
- fouling of heat transfer surfaces
- off-design behavior of steam generators
1985-1988 Process engineer, Ahlstrom Boiler Works, Varkaus
- combustion of biofuels
- material and energy balances
- heat transfer in steam generators
- fluidized bed burning process
- responsible for development of new generation of dimensioning
programs for steam generator thermal design
1984-1985 Assistant professor (yliassistentti) of Power plants, Lappeenranta University of Technology
- furnace heat transfer
- optimization of combined cycle processes
- district heating
- combustion of biofuels
1981-1984 Researcher, Lappeenranta University of Technology
- small steam generator process, design and testing
- solar technology for electricity generation
- efficient use of energy and heat in industry

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Keywords

biomass, P2X, CO2, climate change, steam, boilers, power, recovery

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