Energy Laboratories

The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Fuel Laboratories at the University of Vaasa form a unique research environment for developing future low-emission engine technologies and studying renewable fuels. The facilities support a wide range of research topics, including multi-fuel operation, combustion phenomena, efficiency improvement, and emission reduction. The laboratories are equipped with several research engines, such as Wärtsilä’s single-cylinder W20 engine and the university’s own W4L20 engine, along with a comprehensive electrical and automation system.

These laboratories are part of a broader collaboration between the University of Vaasa, the University of Oulu, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and Wärtsilä. Together, the partners are building a shared energy research infrastructure to support the energy transition and enable the testing and validation of future fuels, such as hydrogen. The Fuel Laboratory works closely with the ICE Laboratory and regional chemical laboratories. Its analysis methods cover, for example, viscosity, density, oxidation stability, and elemental composition. The laboratories also provide research services for companies, research institutes, and other universities.

The ICE-lab comprises a medium-speed Wärtsilä 4L20 engine for marine and power plant applications, loaded by an ABB alternator. The test bench uses a Speedgoat model-based control system. An ABB drive enables engine operation at variable speeds. The exhaust system makes it possible to study various exhaust cleaning systems. 

The large measurement system covers determination of engine performance, combustion analyses, gaseous and particulate emissions, air and exhaust pressures, temperatures and flow rates. The University of Vaasa has also validated in-house and commercial toolchains for simulation of engine and propulsion systems.

The Fuel-lab is a research laboratory that provides analyses for liquid fuels. In addition to research projects, it offers services from single analysis to larger customer projects. Ask for more information: fuellab@uwasa.fi

Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory and Fuel Laboratory

• Wärtsilä 4L20 engine for research use
• Smaller engines, as well, plus large electric equipment
  • Alternators
  • Frequency converters
  • Transformers
  • Gen-set automation system
  • Data acquisition system: Dewesoft
• Fuel laboratory works in close cooperation with the engine laboratory and regional chemistry laboratories
  • Unique combination of fuel and engine research

Analyses (Fuel-lab)

• Water content (biodiesels and bio oils), EN ISO 12937
• Oxidation stability index, EN 14112, EN 15751
• Density, ASTM D7042
• Kinematic viscosity, ASTM D7042
• Acid number, EN 14104
• Iodine number, EN 14111
• Surface tension, manufacturer’s device
• Ester content, EN 14103
• Trace elements, ICP OES, EN 14538 and manufacturer’s device
  • Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Si, V, Zn, Pb, S
• Flash point, EN 2719 + others
• Cold filter plugging point, EN 116
• Cloud point, EN 3015
• Pour point, EN 3016
• Distillation curve, EN ISO 3405 + others
• Cetane index, EN ISO 4264

Research focus, ICE-lab and Fuel-labl

• Flexible hybrid power generation
• Fuel flexibility, renewable fuels and blends, combustion
• Improvement of energy economy and emissions performance
• Improved electric equipment and automation of engine-driven power plants
• Validation of new systems
• Research services for the academic community, companies and research institutes

Geoenergy Laboratory equipment

• TRT (thermal response test) carriage:
  • heating power at 1 kW intervals in the 18 kW power range
  • frequency inverter controlled circulator
  • electrical connection 32A / 400V 3~
  • length of measuring pipes ca. 4 m
  • measurement technology implemented with sensors connected to the serial bus
  • data transmission by computer and wireless router
  • remote measurement control
  • heat pump allows two-way testing
  • weather station
• DTS (distributed temperature sensing) device
  • spatial resolution 1 m
  • temperature resolution <0.01°C
• Pyranometer
• Water heat exchanger

Key research areas of the Geoenergy Laboratory

• Heat transfer
• Heat storage
• Sector coupling
• Thermal response tests for dimensioning energy well fields
  • basal temperature of the bedrock and thermal conductivity, thermal resistance and diffusion coefficient of the energy well
• Simulations