Education

2010 - Doctoral degree of engineer sciences in chemistry (Dr.sc.ing), Faculty of material sciences and applied chemistry, Riga Technical University 2006 - Masters degree of engineer sciences in chemistry (MSc.ing), Faculty of material sciences and applied chemistry, Riga Technical University 2003 - Qualification of diplomated engineer in „Complex wood processing” specialty, Faculty of material sciences and applied chemistry, Riga Technical University 1998 - Secondary education, Smiltene gymnasium  

Scientific interests and competence

Research area is related to biomass thermal and chemical processing, including physical activation, fast and slow pyrolysis, torrefication, hydrothermal treatment, densification and extraction underpinned by detailed analytical quantitative and qualitative characterisation, mechanical testing, feasibility studies and practical tests on laboratory scale units. Biomass and its products physical, chemical  and mechanical analysis according to EN 1860 requirements

The most important projects

ESF project "Innovative technology for complex processing of fibrous crop residues to products with high added value", 2013-2015, Scientific leader of the project ERAF project "Development of an innovative technology of levoglucosan production and utilisation of by-products", 2010-2013, Researcher ERAF project "Obtaining of biologically active substances and polymeric material feedstock from birch bark residues " 2010-2013, Researcher ERAF projekts "Research and optimisation of technology of the oxidative thermolysis process of wood to obtain the smoking liquids without the harmful substances", 2006-2009, Researcher VPP projects' subsection "Granular microporous sorbents from low density deciduous wood and its processing residues" 2005-2009, Researcher  

The most important publications

1. Rižikovs, J., Zandersons, J., Paže, A., Tardenaka, A. and Spince, B. Isolation of Suberinic Acids from Extracted Outer Birch Bark Depending on the Application Purposes.Baltic Forestry,  2014, Vol. 20(1): 98-105. 2. Paže, A., Zandersons, J., Rižikovs, J., Dobele, G., Jurkjāne, V., Spince, B. and Tardenaka, A. Apparatus and Selective Solvents for Extraction of Triterpenes from Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth.) Outer Bark. Baltic Forestry, 2014, Vol. 20(1): 88-97. 3. Zandersons, J., Zhurinsh, A., Dobele, G., Jurkjane, V., Rizhikovs, J., Spince, B., Pazhe, A. Feasibility of broadening the feedstock choice for levoglucosenone production by acid pre-treatment of wood and catalytic pyrolysis of the obtained lignocellulose. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2013, Vol.103:222-226. 4. Zhurinsh, A., Dobele, G., Rizhikovs, J., Zandersons, J., Grigus, K. Effect of pre-treatment conditions on the analytical pyrolysis products from birch wood lignocellulose. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2013, Vol.103:227-231 5. Rizhikovs, J.,Zandersons, J., Spince, B., Dobele, G., Jakab, E. Preparation of granular activated carbon from hydrothermally treated and pelletized deciduous wood. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2012, Vol.93:68-76 6. Zandersons, J., Dobele, G., Jurkjane, V., Tardenaka, A., Spince, B., Rizhikovs, J., Zhurinsh, A. Pyrolysis and smoke formation of grey alder wood depending on the storage time and the content of extractives. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2009, Vol.85:163-170 7. Rizhikovs, J., Zandersons, J., Puke, M. et al. Granular activated carbon from deciduous wood lignocellulose. Edited by: Loureiro, JM, Kartel, MT. Combined and Hybrid Adsorbents: Fundamentals and Applications. Book Series: Nato Science for Peace and Security Series C - Environmental Security, Pages: 187-193, Published: 2006.