17th of April, 2026, 10:00 |
Conference room at Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos 3 – AK-202, Kaunas)
E. Bykov “Investigation on plasma assisted combustion of gas mixtures for combustion efficiency” doctoral dissertation defence
Author, Institution: Ernest Bykov, Lithuanian Energy Institute
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006
Scientific Supervisor: Chief Researcher Dr. Rolandas Paulauskas (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006)
Dissertation Defence Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:
Prof. Dr. Hab. Algirdas Kaliatka (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006) – chairperson;
Chief Researcher Dr. Viktorija Grigaitienė (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006);
Prof. Dr. Dariusz Kardas (Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006);
Prof. Dr. Artūras Kilikevičius (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Technological Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, T009);
Prof. Dr. Giedrius Laukaitis (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008).
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas), Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos g. 3, Kaunas), and on the internet: E. Bykov el. dissertation.pdf
© E. Bykov, 2026 The text of the thesis may not be copied, distributed, published, made public, including by making it publicly available on computer networks (Internet), reproduced in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, mechanical or other means.
Annotation: While the use of renewable energy sources keeps growing, the utilisation of fossil fuels, e.g. combustion, still provides most of the world’s energy and will remain a primary source for many years to overcome constantly growing worldwide energy needs. An energy imbalance between demand and supply triggered a simultaneous energy crisis alongside environmental problems. The rapid depletion of fossil fuels has sparked growing interest in renewable energy sources and waste energy recovery. Due to growing energy needs, the development and application of technologies for deep and efficient utilisation of renewable energy sources, especially from waste, has become increasingly significant. One of the potential methods and technologies of energy production from renewable sources is the conversion or thermal utilisation (combustion) of low-calorific gases using auxiliary enhancement methods. As such, low-calorific gases of natural origin are typically considered those emitted by landfills when the stage is reached at which biomethane separation from landfill gas becomes economically infeasible. However, the main problem associated with the combustion of low-calorific gases, especially those containing a small amount of methane in the carbon dioxide stream, is their lower combustion efficiency and characteristics compared to pure combustible gases (e.g., methane) that are not diluted with non-combustible gases. It results in low combustion temperatures, a narrow flammability range, complex ignition, and unstable combustion (e.g., flame blowoff). Additionally, while the mixture has a high carbon content and low combustion temperatures, carbon monoxide emissions, known to result from incomplete combustion, are very high, and fuel utilisation is very low. These issues, related to the weak combustion characteristics of the heavily diluted combustible gases, result in utilisation methods that do not generate value-added products. Currently, the primary method for utilising low-calorific gases, especially those from landfills, is torch co-combustion with natural gas injection, which not only requires the use of fossil fuels but also emits CO2 and NOx. To avoid such drawbacks, the thermal utilisation of these gases requires additional external assistance. Plasma-assisted combustion increases combustion efficiency and stability, extends flammability limits for non-combustible gaseous mixtures under unassisted conditions, and reveals their energy potential. One of the positive aspects of such technology is the possible reduction in CO2 (greenhouse gas) emissions to the atmosphere. It was found that plasma assistance improves decomposition quality, increasing the mixture’s reactivity and generating additional highly reactive species. This, along with a reduction in the lift-off parameter, significantly affected combustion stability. Based on the empirical correlation, it is possible to control the combustion process by influencing temperature and flue gas emissions with plasma assistance.
2026-02-13 | 13:00 val.
Author, Institution: Justina Jaseliūnaitė, Lithuanian Energy Institute
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006
Scientific Supervisor: Senior Researcher Dr. Marijus Šeporaitis (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006)
Dissertation Defence Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas), Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos g. 3, Kaunas), and on the internet: J. Jaseliūnaitė el. dissertation.pdf
© J. Jaseliūnaitė, 2026 “The text of the thesis may not be copied, distributed, published, made public, including by making it publicly available on computer networks (Internet), reproduced in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, mechanical or other means. Pursuant to Article 25(1) of the Law on Copyright and Related Rights of the Republic of Lithuania, a person with a disability who has difficulties in reading a document of a thesis published on the Internet, and insofar as this is justified by a particular disability, shall request that the document be made available in an alternative form by e-mail to doktorantura@ktu.lt.”
Annotation:
The dissertation investigates heat transfer enhancement in microchannels with obstacle arrays designed to dissipate high heat fluxes. As conventional cooling solutions prove insufficient, the study analyzes how efficiency in these systems is influenced by changes in flow structure and regime. The main objective of the work is to create a method for evaluating thermohydraulic efficiency based on coherent structure parameters, by assessing the flow structure in microchannels. The study analyzes the influence of the obstacle configuration on pressure losses and thermal efficiency, and determines the dependence of the parameters of coherent structures on flow stability. The novelty of the work lies in the application of coherent Ω-structure analysis to microchannel studies, thereby quantitatively linking their parameters to thermohydraulic efficiency. The proposed method enables the prediction of cooling efficiency using exclusively hydrodynamic parameters. By correlating the interaction area of coherent structures, vortex intensity, and transverse flow, solving the energy equation can be bypassed, thereby significantly reducing computational costs. This methodological approach provides better insight into complex flow phenomena and their interactions with flow-bounding surfaces, while complementing conventional efficiency indicators.
19th of December, 2025, 10:00
Conference room at Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos 3 – AK-202, Kaunas)
D. Čepauskienė “The influence of mineral additives on ash melting behaviour and slag formation in agro-biofuels” doctoral dissertation defence
Author, Institution: Deimantė Čepauskienė, Lithuanian Energy Institute
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006
Scientific Supervisors:
Dr. Nerijus Pedišius (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006) (September 2016 – February 2024)
Dr. Marius Praspaliauskas (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006) (From March 2024)
Dissertation Defence Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:
Dissertation defence meeting will be at the conference room at Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos 3 – 202, Kaunas)
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas), Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos g. 3, Kaunas), and on the internet:
D. Čepauskienė el. dissertation.pdf
D. Čepauskienė el. summary.pdf
© D. Čepauskienė, 2025 “The text of the thesis may not be copied, distributed, published, made public, including by making it publicly available on computer networks (Internet), reproduced in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, mechanical or other means.
Annotation: The growing challenges posed by climate change – including global warming, sea level rise, ecosystem alterations, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events – along with concerns regarding energy security, necessitate the search for alternatives to fossil fuel use. One such alternative is the use of local biofuel, which contributes to energy security, stimulates the regional economy, and allows for more efficient use of local renewable resources. The use of such fuel is considered a CO2-neutral process, as the plants from which biofuel is produced absorb as much CO2 during their growth cycle as is later released when burned. For this reason, increasing attention is being paid to the use of agricultural waste (straw, plant stems and leaves left after harvesting) and energy crops (explicitly grown for energy purposes) as agro-biomass in the energy sector. However, the use of agro-biofuel produced from such raw materials remains challenging due to their specific composition, which includes higher concentrations of alkali metals and chlorine. These result in low ash melting temperatures and cause ash slagging, boiler fouling, and corrosion processes. The application of phosphogypsum as a mineral fuel additive offers the potential to reduce the quantity of this waste. In the context of this study, a beneficial and CO₂-neutral method has been proposed to comprehensively address the issue of utilising two waste materials – agricultural waste and phosphogypsum – while creating a higher value-added energy product.
Author, Institution: Rimas Meištininkas, Lithuanian Energy Institute
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Environmental Engineering, T004
Research supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jūratė Žaltauskaitė (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Environmental Engineering, T004)
Dissertation Defence Board of Environmental Engineering Science Field:
Dissertation defence meeting will be at the conference room at Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos 3 – 202, Kaunas)
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas) and on the internet: R. Meištininkas el. dissertation.pdf
Annotation: Globally, studies on the bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils are most commonly conducted using a single bioremediation method, with the primary focus placed on one objective: the efficiency of petroleum degradation, assessment of plant growth parameters, or the identification of microbial activity and specific microbial strains. Limited attention is given to the comprehensive restoration of soil health, meaning not only the removal of contaminants but also the evaluation of changes in soil nutrient content and microbiological activity. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of various soil bioremediation strategies, including phytoremediation, particularly through the selection of the most suitable legume species based on their morphological and phytoremediation properties and the application of plant growth-regulating technologies, such as seed treatment with cold plasma. Furthermore, the study explores the enhancement of bioremediation efficiency through the application of microbial inoculum and the combined use of a biosurfactant-based biological additive. The research evaluated both the individual and combined effects of these bioremediation methods, as well as the changes in soil nutrient content, enzymatic activity, and metabolic potential. The findings suggest that the integrated use of legume plants, biosurfactants, and microbial biopreparations can effectively improve soil microbiological activity while also enhancing or maintaining nitrogen and phosphorus compounds as well as water-soluble phenols in the remediated soil.
Author, Institution: Simona Breidokaitė, Lithuanian Energy Institute.
Dissertation title: Modeling of the neutron transport based on the Monte Carlo method and the numerical estimation of radiological quantities towards the future nuclear fusion reactor DEMO
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006.
Defense of the dissertation: 2025-08-25, 10:00 a.m., Lithuanian Energy Institute, 202-AK auditorium, Breslaujos st. 3, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Scientific Supervisor: Chief Researcher Dr. Gediminas Stankūnas (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).
Dissertation Defense Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas) and on the internet: S. Breidokaitė el. dissertation (PDF).
© S. Breidokaitė, 2025 “The text of the thesis may not be copied, distributed, published, made public, including by making it publicly available on computer networks (Internet), reproduced in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, mechanical or other means. Pursuant to Article 25(1) of the Law on Copyright and Related Rights of the Republic of Lithuania, a person with a disability who has difficulties in reading a document of a thesis published on the Internet, and insofar as this is justified by a particular disability, shall request that the document be made available in an alternative form by e-mail to doktorantura@ktu.lt.”
Annotation:
This dissertation presents a detailed analysis of neutron transport and radiological characteristics in key components of the future EU DEMO fusion reactor, specifically the divertor, vacuum vessel, and breeding blanket. The study is based on the Monte Carlo method combined with advanced geometric models and updated nuclear reaction databases, allowing for precise evaluation of neutron interactions with structural and functional materials. Detailed modeling of radionuclide formation mechanisms, activity, decay heat, dose rate, and their spatial distributions was carried out, taking into account the planned operational conditions of the EU DEMO reactor. The work compares two main breeding blanket concepts to determine their influence on neutron distribution and other radiological parameters. Special emphasis is given to the long-term behavior of materials, including radionuclide generation and radioactive waste management issues, which are critical for reactor safety and environmental protection. Additionally, the study evaluates neutron transport characteristics across different reactor component layers, enabling a deeper understanding of the spatial distribution of radiological processes within the reactor geometry. The results of this work can support the optimization of material selection and design decisions aimed at reducing radiological loads and facilitating the management of radioactive waste in fusion reactors.
Author, Institution: Rita Petlickaitė, Lithuanian Energy Institute.
Dissertation title: Technological environmental assessment of biofuel and heat production from multi-crop biomass and the use of ash for fertilisation
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Environmental Engineering, T004.
Defense of the dissertation: 2025-04-30, 10:00 a.m., Lithuanian Energy Institute, 202-AK auditorium, Breslaujos st. 3, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Algirdas Jasinskas (Vytautas Magnus University, Technological Sciences, Environmental Engineering, T004).
Dissertation Defense Board of Environmental Engineering Science Field:
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas), Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos g. 3, Kaunas) and on the internet: R. Petlickaitė el. dissertation (PDF)
Annotation:
Solid fuels play an important role in many energy sectors. Although most solid fuels are still fossil fuels, global energy trends are shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. A sustainable and renewable alternative to fossil fuels is biofuels. According to forecasts, energy crops could replace the wood feedstock, currently used mainly for biofuels. When using herbaceous biomass for biofuels, it is important to ensure that the quality of the pellets meets the quality requirements and that the ash from the combustion of the pellets is used sustainably. In this work, the full-cycle process and environmental impacts of the conversion of multi-crop biomass (maize, hemp and field bean) into solid biofuels, the combustion of the biofuel pellets and the preparation of the ash mixtures for crop fertilisation are comprehensively assessed. The 3 crops were chosen because they are complementary, suitable for sustainable farming systems and have high biomass potential. The quality characteristics of solid biofuel pellets produced from multi-crop biomass were determined; the emissions from the combustion of these pellets were assessed; the melting characteristics and the elemental composition of the ash from the combustion of multi-crop biomass pellets were identified; and the impact of the ash from the combustion of trinomial biomass on the productivity of spring wheat and field beans was studied.
Author, Institution: Justas Eimontas, Lithuanian Energy Institute.
Dissertation title: Recovery of energy products by pyrolysis from seaweed and fishing nets
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006.
Defense of the dissertation: 2025-01-24, 09:00 a.m., Lithuanian Energy Institute, 202-AK auditorium, Breslaujos st. 3, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Scientific Supervisor: Dr. Nerijus Striūgas (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).
Dissertation Defence Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas) and on the internet: J. Eimontas’s el. dissertation (PDF)
Annotation:
The past few decades have highlighted significant challenges associated with energy consumption, driven by rapid population growth and the increasing automation and motorization of systems. This has resulted in a substantial imbalance between energy production and consumption, exacerbating both energy scarcity and environmental issues. Since fossil fuels and natural gas—currently the primary energy sources—are being rapidly depleted, there is growing emphasis on renewable energy sources and the extraction of energy from alternative materials. Consequently, energy recovery technologies are gaining increasing relevance. Among these, thermal decomposition processes, such as pyrolysis, are well-established methods for recovering energy products from waste. The quality and applicability of these products are determined by process parameters and the catalysts employed. However, a review of the scientific literature reveals that the selection of catalysts and feedstocks for enhancing the quality of liquid products from the pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by focusing on the preparation and application of biochar-based catalysts impregnated with metals such as iron or copper. The performance of these catalysts in pyrolysis will be compared with that of commercial zeolite catalysts to produce higher value-added energy and chemical products.
Registration to the conference is open. We encourage prospective attendees and guests to subscribe to the event CYSENI 2025 for the latest updates.
REGISTRATION: https://cyseni.com/registration/
FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1249208983072559
DESCRIPTION
The 21st International Conference of Young Scientists on Energy and Natural Sciences Issues (CYSENI 2025) is an annual event initiated and organised by the Lithuanian Energy Institute and brought to life with the support of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, RTO Lithuania, and many other valued collaborators. The conference will be held in the venue of the Lithuanian Energy Institute in Kaunas, Lithuania (Breslaujos str. 3), from 20 to 22 May 2025.
CYSENI is a free-of-charge scientific event aimed at young researchers and professionals from Europe and worldwide working in the fields of energy and environmental sciences. Participation in CYSENI will provide a well-established platform for undergraduate, MSc and PhD students, postdocs, entrant engineers, and other young scientists to present their latest research, develop presentation skills, build valuable contacts, and forge durable scientific relationships.
This year’s CYSENI conference proudly continues its tradition as we celebrate its 21st edition! CYSENI covers a broad spectrum of topics, fostering multidisciplinary discussions and offering excellent opportunities for the exchange of innovative ideas and potential collaborations.
CONFERENCE TOPICS AND IMPORTANT DATES: www.cyseni.com/topics-and-deadlines/
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS: https://cyseni.com/instructions-for-authors/
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
📍 07 February 2025 – registration and abstracts submission deadline
📍 07 March 2025 – author notification on abstract acceptance
📍 09 May 2025 – announcement of the Conference program
📍 20–22 May 2025 – Conference event
Author, Institution: Paulius Cicėnas, Lithuanian Energy Institute
Dissertation title: Development and efficiency investigation of the frequency stability algorithms for the hydro generators and power generation modules
Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006.
Defense of the dissertation: 2024-11-20, 10:00 a.m., Lithuanian Energy Institute, 202-AK auditorium, Breslaujos st. 3, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Scientific Supervisor: Dr. Virginijus Radziukynas (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).
Dissertation Defence Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:
The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas), Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos g. 3, Kaunas) and on the internet: P. Cicėnas’s el. disertion (PDF)
Annotation:
During the preparation of this dissertation, the applicability of parametric identification mathematical models was extended in the field of electric power systems control. The dissertation presents algorithms for ensuring frequency stability in hydro generators units and power generation module systems, which include frequency containment reserve and synthetic inertia algorithms. Using these algorithms, low-order continuous transfer functions were developed, which can be applied in practice and implemented in controllers. By utilizing mathematical models of the electric power system, the issue of active power “pit” in hydroelectric units was investigated, and an algorithm was developed to ensure frequency stability. This algorithm enables hydroelectric units to meet the frequency reserve activation requirements set by Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631. Furthermore, using the mathematical model of a synchronous generator and applying parametric identification mathematical models, the synthetic inertia algorithm was developed, along with the identification of the synthetic inertia transfer function. The input signal for this synthetic inertia transfer function is the change in system frequency, while the output signal is the active power that corresponds to the inertia created by synchronous generators. Mathematical modeling demonstrated that when this synthetic inertia transfer function is implemented in the control system of power generation modules and connected to the electric power system grid, the power generation module will inject active power to the electric power system at the initial moment of disturbance. This active power will be equivalent to the inertia generated by the synchronous generator, thus contributing to stability and reliability of the electric power system. Notably, the developed synthetic inertia algorithm takes into account the inertia coefficient H, allowing the obtained synthetic inertia to be measured in seconds, analogous to the measurement units of synchronous generator inertia.
