As part of the Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies (Flex-CPT) project, a research exchange between the University of Oulu (UOulu) and the University of Cyprus (UCyprus) enabled Jaakko Petrelius to carry out experimental work at the Heterogeneous catalysis laboratory in Nicosia during the summer of 2025. The mobility was conducted under Work Package 4 (WP4.2) and focused on catalyst performance studies essential for the development of aftertreatment systems in ammonia-fuelled engine applications.
The main purpose of the mobility was to utilise the well-known transient gas flow system at the University of Cyprus for simulating different gas compositions and measuring their effect on selected industrial SCR catalyst samples. Such a setup and expertise in transient experiments were not available in Finland, making the collaboration particularly valuable. The Environmental and Chemical Engineering (ECE) unit at the University of Oulu has maintained a long-standing collaboration with the laboratory at UCyprus, which made the exchange both feasible and productive.
During his stay, Petrelius conducted in close collaboration with the UCyprus personnel a wide range of experiments focusing on ammonia adsorption and desorption on SCR catalysts. The work included measurements with pure ammonia as well as tests incorporating N₂O, oxygen, and moisture in the gas stream. These experiments provided a diverse dataset on catalyst behaviour under varying conditions.
Through this work, the mobility successfully produced data that can be utilised for further characterisation and development within the project. Differences between catalyst types were identified, and their performance under distinct conditions was examined in detail. Petrelius also gained hands-on experience in laboratory work, safety practices, and mass spectrometry analyses. He learned how to analyse and interpret experimental data and to evaluate results. The mobility deepened his practical understanding of commercial SCR catalyst performance.
At the beginning there was some challenges to find the proper terms in the field specific technical contexts. With persistence, he adapted to the collaborative environment, and by the end of the exchange, his language confidence had improved significantly. Outside the laboratory, he described Cypriot people as hardworking, open, and close-knit, and he especially enjoyed the local cuisine, noting a fondness for pastries filled with Halloumi or Feta cheese. He also appreciated Cyprus’ rich history and Mediterranean landscapes.
According to Mika Huuhtanen, WP4 leader, the mobility “contributes extremely well to the project objectives, plans and outcomes set in WP4.2.” The results provide detailed information to support the investigation and development of aftertreatment catalysts for ammonia-fuelled engine applications.
The collaboration with the University of Cyprus is expected to lead to a joint scientific article in an international journal, increasing the project’s visibility while providing valuable scientific background for forthcoming academic and industrial activities. The results also create a strong basis for industrial partners to identify the most suitable catalyst types and deepen understanding of their performance in selected conditions.
Collaboration will continues in spring 2026 when a professor-level exchange from UCyprus to UOulu is scheduled, reinforcing the scientific link between WP4 and WP3 (CO₂ utilisation), and driving the sustained progress of the Flex-CPT consortium.
