Estonian Mining and Oil Production Shift to Chemicals Eveliis Vaaks 10 February 2025, 08:28 Põlevkivi kaevandamine. Foto: Mihkel Maripuu Estonian coal mining is a significant natural resource, but its utilization is contentious. To enable the most environmentally friendly and sustainable use of coal, the Trialoogi portal is exploring solutions with Maria Reinaas – a PhD candidate in Industrial Chemistry at TalTech and project manager at Kerogen OÜ, who is working with the Industry Chemistry Laboratory to develop a completely new approach to coal utilization. Maria Reinaasa’s doctoral research focuses on the complete processing of the organic and inorganic components of coal. Return to Work After Studies Following her master’s studies in the UK, Reinaas returned to Estonia to find a valuable job. Initially, she did not seek a position as a researcher or a doctorate. “Initially, I wrote to companies and offered my services. However, upon meeting with the Head of Development at AVH Grupi, I learned that one of their development projects focuses on the processing of coal – not oil, but the production of chemicals. This seemed to me a very important topic for Estonia’s future,” Reinaas recalled. A New Life for Coal Reinaasa’s doctoral research centers on the complete processing of the organic and inorganic components of coal. Traditionally, coal has been used for both energy and oil production, but this has significant environmental impacts. Reinaasa and the Industry Chemistry Laboratory’s approach is different, aiming to utilize the various components of different materials – organic materials, carbonates, and minerals – to minimize waste. “We don’t produce oil, but we break down complex organic macromolecules into smaller components and produce chemicals from them. This process helps to reduce the carbon footprint by using the final product for combustion.” Beyond oil production, the research also produces de-icing agents and concrete additives, as well as plant growth-stimulating minerals. Bridging the Gap Between Science and Industry Reinaas’s role extends beyond the laboratory to significantly influence practical and marketable solutions. Her work involves translating complex scientific solutions into practical and marketable ones, linking chemical processes with engineering solutions. “How much cooling power is needed? What pumps and automation are required, and how much do they cost? My task is to assess how to scale up chemical reactions conducted in the laboratory economically and technically.” Reinaas works in TalTech laboratories daily, but adapts development results to meet the needs of coal and chemical industry companies like Kerogen. Industrial Doctorates in Estonia The industrial doctorate is still relatively new in Estonia, but Reinaas believes it is an essential form. Estonian companies are generally not large enough to create their own research and development centers. This means that synergistic partnerships between universities and companies play a crucial role. “Universities have laboratories, equipment, and experts, while companies have problems they seek solutions for. Industrial doctorates combine these two worlds and enable real innovation.” Reinaas acknowledges that Europe and the USA are hoping that “our industry will take care of it,” but emphasizes the importance of on-site production and development for controlling how resources are processed and assessing environmental impacts. Moving Towards Chemical Production With planned cessation of coal electricity production by 2035, Reinaas believes that the coal industry will shift more towards chemical production over the next ten years. Her dream is to bring this technology to the world market and prove that even with a controversial resource, something sustainable can be created. “We are not doing this simply for the sake of doing it. The ultimate goal is to go beyond the laboratory and make our process something that actually works in the market.” The creation and scaling of technology is a long and complex process. The Industry Chemistry Laboratory began this work seven years ago. Over the past two years, they have developed a novel reactor that allows coal processing to move from the laboratory to the next level. “Our reactor was recently patented. This is an important step, but much more needs to be done to reach the real market – the next major goal is to test the reactor in larger volumes.” Reinaas says that the future of coal and the role of engineers: are there enough people in Estonia? Having studied in the UK, Reinaas, who has worked in the chemical industry, recognizes that engineering education in this country is very common. In Estonia, she notices certain bottlenecks – namely, it is not possible here to study chemical technology in full volume, which, according to Reinaas, is considered a critically important area for promoting the chemical industry. “We have excellent chemists in Estonia, but when it comes to taking laboratory experiments to an industrial level, there is a need for engineers who can scale up and optimize processes. This is a very significant shortage that needs a quick solution,” she commented. Despite the ultimate goal of bringing a new technology to market, the process will not be rushed, as each step requires thorough work. Whether to produce technology in large volumes or focus initially on smaller niche markets – these are philosophical questions that require careful consideration. “Our ambition is not a quick fix, but we believe we have the potential to change the ways coal is processed and, with it, Estonia’s future,” Reinaas took her work and mission. Naturally include these keywords: oil, production, chemicals Topics: #oil #production #chemicals Post navigation The Estonian Sea education has not yet been cleared The cafe that worked in the Tallinn TV Tower went bankrupt
This shift to chemical production from Estonian oil shale could offer a more responsible path forward for this valuable resource. Reply