Dušan Klinar

Dr. Dušan Klinar

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications


4 May 2021 in Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MGMatic Grojzdek
Matic Grojzdek
BNBarbara Novosel
Barbara Novosel
Dušan KlinarDušan Klinar
Dušan Klinar
JGJanvit Golob
Janvit Golob
Andreja Zgajnar GotvajnAndreja Zgajnar Gotvajn
Andreja Zgajnar Gotvajn

6 January 2026 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TTTim Tetičkovič
Tim Tetičkovič
Dušan KlinarDušan Klinar
Dušan Klinar
KRKlavdija Rižnar
Klavdija Rižnar
DPDarja Pecar
Darja Pecar
Plastic streams dominated by polyethylene (PE) including PE HD/MD (High Density/Medium Density) and PE LD/LLD (Low Density/Linear Low Density), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) across Europe demand a design framework that links synthesis with end of life reactivity, supporting circular economic goals and European Union waste management targets. This work integrates polymerization derived chain architecture and depolymerization mechanisms to guide selective valorization of commercial plastic wastes in the European context. Catalytic topologies such as Bronsted or Lewis acidity, framework aluminum siting, micro and mesoporosity, initiators, and strategies for process termination are evaluated under relevant variables including temperature, heating rate, vapor residence time, and pressure as encountered in industrial practice throughout Europe. The analysis demonstrates that polymer chain architecture constrains reaction pathways and attainable product profiles, while additives, catalyst residues, and contaminants in real waste streams can shift radical populations and observed selectivity under otherwise similar operating windows. For example, strong Bronsted acidity and shape selective micropores favor the formation of C2 to C4 olefins and Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene (BTX) aromatics, while weaker acidity and hierarchical porosity help preserve chain length, resulting in paraffinic oils and waxes. Increasing mesopore content shortens contact times and limits undesired secondary cracking. The use of suitable initiators lowers the energy threshold and broadens processing options, whereas diffusion management and surface passivation help reduce catalyst deactivation. In the case of PVC, continuous hydrogen chloride removal and the use of basic or redox co catalysts or ionic liquids reduce the dehydrochlorination temperature and improve fraction purity. Staged dechlorination followed by subsequent residue cracking is essential to obtain high quality output and prevent the release of harmful by products within European Union approved processes. Framing process design as a sequence that connects chain architecture, degradation chemistry, and operating windows supports mechanistically informed selection of catalysts, severity, and residence time, while recognizing that reported selectivity varies strongly with reactor configuration and feed heterogeneity and that focused comparative studies are required to validate quantitative structure to selectivity links. In European post consumer sorting chains, PS and PC are frequently handled as separate fractions or appear in residues with distinct processing routes, therefore they are not included in the polymer set analyzed here. Polystyrene and polycarbonate are outside the scope of this review because they are commonly handled as separate fractions and are typically optimized toward different product slates than the gas, oil, and wax focused pathways emphasized here.

21 November 2023 in Processes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EMErik Mihelič
Erik Mihelič
Dušan KlinarDušan Klinar
Dušan Klinar
KRKlavdija Rižnar
Klavdija Rižnar
POPrimož Oprčkal
Primož Oprčkal
The programming language Python offers the opportunity to analyze and model the municipal sewage sludge (MSS) drying process in an illustrative chemical engineering practice. The drying process is performed on a flat plate while maintaining a uniform, parallel drying air speed. The Python program helps to analyze the digitalized weight measurements from each sample. The program enables the sorting of input data, determination of the drying critical point, and evaluation of the first and second drying periods. Moreover, the model calculates the fundamental drying parameter and forms a drying master curve to support the transfer to different drying conditions. The basic parameters calculated are mass transfer coefficient, heat transfer coefficient, and diffusion coefficient. The results are consistent with published data for those coefficients over the drying temperature range of 19.4–52.4 °C and relative humidity range of 8.2–33.6%. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of Python as a powerful tool for analyzing experimental data and modeling chemical processes, which can lead to improved process design, optimization, and control.

19 August 2021 in Processes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Dušan KlinarDušan Klinar
Dušan Klinar
MHMarcel Huber
Marcel Huber
NŠNataša Belšak Šel
Nataša Belšak Šel
KRKlavdija Rižnar
Klavdija Rižnar
Present work aims to present a complete and detailed heat-mass balance data, streams elemental and species composition as crucial input data for Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA). Combined heat, power and char (CHPC) generation in decoupled pyrolysis and gasification processes ensures a highly efficient, reliable and sustainable economic use of biomass. Innovative process model based on simultaneous heat-mass balance with the elemental (C, H, O) and species (CO, H2, CO2, CH4 and H2O) composition of each stream provides reliable data with a general/average variability in a range of ±10% and ±5% for the main outputs. Thermodynamic calculations verified not only the concept but also a numerical range of the results. Comparisons with recently published, scientific and data from technology providers, prove their general applicability and consistency. TEA cases, presented in a complete and detailed table, allow selection of the relevant calculation basis providing reliable data for doubtless evaluation at investors/entrepreneurs striving for a successful business model.