MicroPyro
Continuous pyrolysis, made visible.
Bringing the operating logic of continuous pyrolysis to the desktop.
MicroPyro is a desktop-scale model of a continuous rotary-kiln pyrolysis system, built to make the relationships normally hidden inside industrial equipment easier to see, explain and explore.
It is not a heated reactor or a production unit. V1 isolates the operating logic so attention can remain on how material enters, moves through and leaves a continuous system.
V1 proves the core idea. The next version will be shaped through use.
V1 brings the principal elements together in one self-contained demonstrator: transparent material handling, independent feed, drum and discharge control, a live interface and a visible representation of the burner and stack systems.
It is ready to be demonstrated, discussed and tested with people working across pyrolysis, biochar, engineering, research, education and project development.
Follow the material through the system.
MicroPyro separates the continuous process into relationships that can be seen, adjusted and discussed.
Feed
Material enters through a controlled feed system. Adjusting the feed changes the amount entering the process.
Movement
The rotating transparent drum lifts, turns and carries material through the system.
Residence
Drum speed and internal movement influence how long material remains inside the process.
Discharge
Material exits continuously through a separately controlled discharge system.
Control
Independent controls reveal the relationship between feed, movement and output.
Adjust the controls. Watch the process respond.
MicroPyro is more than a static scale model. Feed, drum and discharge controls allow users to alter material movement and observe how one part of a continuous process affects another.
The physical controls, visible mechanics and live interface make the system understandable through interaction—not only through explanation.
Real process conditions: button press enables, relay clicks, motors turning, stack emissions, LEDs simulating burners and falling material are part of the experience.
Built to begin better conversations about continuous pyrolysis.
Teaching and training
Give students, operators and project teams a physical way to understand continuous material flow, residence time and reactor operation.
Project and stakeholder meetings
Help technical and non-technical participants build a shared understanding before discussing larger equipment, decisions or investment.
Exhibitions and public engagement
Make pyrolysis, biochar and continuous processing more visible and approachable at events and industry demonstrations.
Research and system development
Explore process communication, instrumentation, control strategies and future demonstrator requirements through a configurable physical platform.
These are starting points rather than fixed limits. Part of sharing V1 is discovering where a demonstrator like this could create the most value.
“After years working in
pyrolysis, I realised there was
something missing. Something I
wished existed. So I built it.”
Continuous pyrolysis systems are difficult to explain because the most important activity happens inside insulated steel equipment. You can show someone a process diagram or take them around a plant, but they still cannot easily see how feed rate, material movement, residence time and discharge relate to one another.
I wanted something that could sit on a desk or travel to a meeting, classroom or event and make that operating logic physically visible—something people could gather around, operate and use as the starting point for a better conversation.
MicroPyro V1 is the first working version of that idea.
Built from commercial-scale experience · developed through making
07 · Join the next stage
Could MicroPyro be useful in your work?
I am speaking with people working in pyrolysis, biochar, engineering, education, research, carbon removal and circular materials to understand where MicroPyro could be most useful.
If you would like to see it demonstrated, discuss a possible use, explore a future unit or simply follow the project, send through a short note.
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