We invite you to attend the doctoral dissertation defence of Ing. Kseniia Paramonova focusing on solid biofuels with the title “Viability assessment of invasive hogweeds' (Heracleum spp.) utilisation for energy purposes” (Department of Food and BioResource Technology, Sustainable Rural Development). Come and learn how dangerous invasive hogweeds can be transformed into high-quality biofuel and used as a tool to help control their spread. Thesis defence will take place on 12th May 2026, 10:00 a.m., meeting room 315 (building FTZ).
Rapidly spreading invasive Heracleum mantegazzianum and Heracleum sosnowskyi pose significant management and ecological challenges. Their sap is phototoxic and can cause severe skin burn injuries. Unmanaged invaded sites provide a substantial readily available source of lignocellulosic biomass. Various approaches to biomass valorisation in industry have been reviewed, with solid biofuel production emerging as a highly promising biotechnology that may support eradication efforts. The study aims to explore the viability of biomass of problematic invasive hogweeds as a feedstock for densified biofuels. A comprehensive study based on broad analytical and experimental approaches was conducted, including the collection of samples at two plant developmental stages, experimental thermochemical conversion of samples, pellets and briquettes production and combustion testing. Produced biofuels demonstrated high quality comparable to that of Class A non-woody biofuels according to ISO standards. The findings of the study have been published in prestigious Q1 journals.
We warmly invite faculty members, students, and the public to join this defence.