APPROVED PROJECTS T&I 2005/06
(T&I Biotechnology Fall 2004 RFP)
Agricultural Residues For Bioenergy and Bioproducts
Mark Stumborg:AAFC
- The objectives of the crop residue thread proposal are to:
- Determine the amount of crop residues available from conventional harvest systems currently employed;
- Develop improved harvest systems that reduce biomass losses, improve or preserve biomass quality, and reduce the cost of the biomass collected;
- Develop improved separation, size reduction, drying, sorting, and cleaning technologies for biomass processing;
- Evaluate the energy potential of residues by conversion to ethanol, gasification to heat, power and chemicals, and pyrolysis for the production of bio-oils for energy and chemicals;
- Evaluate the potential for novel harvest systems to improve the quality and quantity of residues collected, especially flax, as a bioproducts feedstock for natural fibre products;
- Provide detailed quantity, quality, energy, and carbon/nitrogen cycle data to the Cross-Cutting thread activity proposed to model and analyze the biomass system from soil to grave.
Analysis of Biomass-Derived Fuels for Use in Lime Kilns
Fernando Preto:NRCan-CETC
This project will carry out a life cycle GHG study for biomass supply for lime kilns, develop a database of biomass derived fuel properties and detailed models for assessing the impact of biomass derived fuels on lime kilns. The first commercial plant, operating in 2008, would reduce CO2 by 25,000/y and industry-wide conversion of lime kilns to biomass derived fuels by 2025 would result in a GHG savings of 1.5 Mt (megatonnes) per year.
Analysis of Regional-Scale Bioenergy and Bioproduct Systems
Lawrence Townley-Smith-AAFC
The objective of the cross-cutting multi-year project proposal is to assist with the development and use of a geographic information system (GIS) tool that models biomass quantity, quality, and the associated energy, water, and transportation infrastructure available for exploitation of the biomass resource. This tool will be linked to remote sensing technology to provide predictive capacity for biomass availability. The tool will be provided to the private sector through a Web-based interactive map, allowing the GIS to provide biomass access information that is accurate and reliable. When completed, this GIS system could be used by government policy and research communities to:
- provide a tool to facilitate valuing the social, environmental, and ecological goods & services provided by biomass exploitation.
- evaluate the socio-economic and environmental impact of biomass exploitation;
- determine the lifecycle energy and greenhouse gas balance for the biomass threads proposed under the Climate Change T&I;
- provide a tool to assist with carbon accounting for Kyoto compliance (there are other Climate Change funds for this work;
contact Brian McConkey (NCGAVS) or Art Jaques (MARS)
Biodiesel for Heat and Power
René-Pierre Allard:NRCan-CETC
This project will investigate knowledge gaps in the combustion of biodiesel for heat and power. Flame sensor and combustion emissions R&D will be performed with use of biofuel in commercially available residential and commercial heating furnaces. Low temperature properties of biodiesel will be investigated as well as the use of fuel additives. The medium-term objective is to resolve technical issues leading to the wide application and commercialization of biodiesel for heat and power applications.
Conversion of Chicken Litter and Straw to Energy
Ed Hogan:NRCan-CETC
The expansion and growth of intensive poultry production facilities have led to concerns about the disposal of the manure generated and its long and short-term impact on the environment. To the poultry producer, the cost involved in the consumption of fossil energy sources in poultry operations and in manure removal represents a significant cost of production. A large number of these producers are starting to purchase coal-fired units as a way of reducing increasing natural gas prices which will significantly increase GHG emissions in this sector.
Chickens metabolize approximately 55% of the feed that they ingest, and they are therefore prolific producers of manure in the form of litter. This litter must be removed from the rearing facility and properly disposed of. The most common form of disposal is the spreading of manure on farmland, which leads to increased nitrous oxide emissions. Wynyard Poultry Farms undertook a program to examine more sustainable options available in which a number of technologies to convert litter to energy were evaluated. The pyrolysis technology being developed by Rotary MicroPower Inc (RMP) was selected because their process can be easily scaled to the 15 ton/day size needed by WPF and the company has experience in pyrolyzing chicken litter.
In this project, the following tasks will be performed;
- Design and build a bio-refinery for the conversion of poultry litter and mortality to bio-oil, char and gas;
- Optimize the process in terms of mass and energy balance;
- Conduct chemical analyses to meet future permitting requirements;
- Install the 1-dtpd plant at WPF and complete an on-site feasibility study;
- Expansion of the facility to a 10-dtpd system.
Developing short-rotation willow plantation/agroforestry systems for bioenergy generation in Canada
Sylvain Masse:NRCan-CFS
Seven research centres will cooperate to develop short-rotation willow plantation/agroforestry systems for energy production and GHG reduction. One million hectares established by 2025 could contribute yearly 20 million tonnes of feedstock, a reduction of 26 Mt (megatonnes) of GHG emissions (13 due to yield improvements from this thread) and 3.6% of total energy consumption in Canada.
Development and Promotion of Starch-Based Biopolymers
Michel Huneault:CNRC-NRC
This project will develop renewable source biopolymers and promote their adoption by the plastics industry in replacement of synthetic oil-based plastics. The work will focus mainly on thermoplastic starch and its blends with biodegradable polyesters and natural fibres. Companies directly involved in this area will participate through joint application development work.
From Manures to Novel Bioproducts using Micro- and Nano-technologies
Dr. Carlos M. Monreal:AAFC
Canada produces large amounts of manure with little economic value in spite of its relatively high energy and nutrient contents. The Manure Thread will use micro- and nano-technologies to produce novel fertilizer and enzyme delivery systems from the conversion of manure to reduce GHG emissions by at least 30 Mt CO2e by 2025. This thread is closely associated with NRCan’s Thread “Residual Organic Wastes to Bio-Energy”.
Natural Fibres Initiative for Biochemicals and Biomaterials
Adrien Pilon:NRC
The proponent’s processing expertise will be focused on maximizing the value from the stems of flax and hemp by producing high-value bioproducts. GHG reductions will come from the displacement of fossil oil used in manufacturing chemicals and materials, and by supplanting the practice of burning flax straw in the field.
New and Improved Fatty Acid Biomass Feedstocks
Dr. Wilf Keller:NRC
The proposal is directed to modification of the fatty acid composition of oilseeds to generate high valuable renewable chemical feedstocks. Novel products and processes will be developed that will both contribute to transportation efficiency and will directly replace products derived from petrochemicals. Significant benefits in GHG and economic returns will result.
Oilseed Integrated Bio-diesel Biorefinery
Dr. Neil Westcott: AAFC
Methods for oilseed utilization for fuel and industrial products will be intricately linked with crop improvement. Biorefinery processing will be further improved to optimize the total GHG benefit and economic value output. The proposed research is also linked to the activities of entrepreneurs who will adopt superior plant varieties and commercialize economic and efficient processes.
Purpose Grown, Short Rotation Woody Biomass for Bioenergy Production
Derek Sidders:AAFC
The objective of this thread proposal is to address the issue of identifying and quantifying cost-effective, quality, purpose grown woody biomass for bioenergy conversion and other bioproducts or values. It will determine the direct (consumable biomass) and indirect (CO2 sequestration) benefits as it relates to GHG impacts both short and long-term. The components of this proposal include the identification and demonstration of biomass source options, field processing or harvesting, transporting and storage and conversion and related costs and values. The primary whitewood conversion process will be hydrolysis or fermentation to ethanol and other products derived. The separation and conversion of primary products and byproducts will be explored, refined and valued.
Renewable Energy for Greenhouses: Biomass Residues and Advanced Conversion Technologies
Fernando Preto:NRCan-CETC
This thread will assess the supply and conversion of biomass residues for energy for greenhouse growers.
The thread elements will include:
- fuel availability, cost and security of supply;
- fuel pre-treatments and handling;
- fuels matrix (residues properties/performance vs conversion technology);
- development of protocols, standards and regulations; and
- industry wide-workshops and publications for dissemination of information.
Residual Organic Wastes to Bio-Energy
Jody Barclay:AAFC
This thread is intended to support the production of bioenergy from residual (opportunity) wastes from the municipal, agricultural and industrial sectors. The thread will build on the work being conducted under theme 2.2 “Conversion of Wastes to Biobased Gases”. It compliments work being done on Non-Traditional Fuels under T&I Distributed Energy. It is also closely linked to AAFC’s proposed “From Manures to Novel Bioproducts using Micro- and Nano-technologies” Thread proposal. The estimated GHG reduction potential is estimated to be 10-20 Mt/yr.
Wheat Ethanol Research and Development
Mark Stumborg:AAFC
Developing wheat into a more viable feedstock for producing ethanol would significantly impact GHG emissions. This document outlines R&D opportunities to enhance the value of wheat as feedstock, making it cost competitive with corn for producing ethanol, and the resulting benefits for GHG emissions and other Canadian benefits.
T&I INTEGRATED APPLICATIONS:
Optimizing the Carbon Value Chain in the Pulp and Paper Process Biorefinery
Philippe Navarri:NRCan-CETC
There is a significant opportunity for greenhouse gas mitigation should the Canadian pulp and paper industry identify and implement optimum routes for transforming mills using emerging so-called biorefinery technology, and optimize the carbon value chain. It is estimated that the potential for GHGM, following the implementation of novel strategies identified in this work, is 11.7 Mt/annum by 2025. This transformation could simultaneously precipitate critically-needed investment in the Canadian industry, and improve its global competitive position.
Petroleum Bioupgrading for Refinery Corrosion Mitigation
Dr. Heather Dettman:NRCan-CETC
Worldwide, refineries experience ongoing costs and safety concerns from corrosion. GHG emissions are increased both by the treatment methods and by the steel needed for repairs. In collaboration with University of Alberta and Industry, NCUT is developing bioupgrading processes with low GHG emissions for removing the corrosive agents from crudes.