Value-added biomass ash utilization

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Bioenergy systems that utilize woody biomass are becoming more prevalent in Canada to provide heat for industries and municipalities. Such systems produce large quantities of ash residuals, which are largely treated as waste. We aim to convert these residuals into resources with economic and ecological benefits. The standard practice of burying ash in landfills is not sustainable because many of the nutrients contained within the original biomass find their way into the ash which is then removed from recycling in the biosphere; i.e., the landfill serves as a sink for several key plant nutrients. Also, the construction of additional landfills is costly and removes land from other productive uses. With financial and in-kind support from Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership (CPLP), UNBC faculty, staff and students will explore value-added options for wood biomass ash produced by industry and UNBC's campus bioenergy facilities. A key hypothesis is that the application of ash to soils can provide an environmentally safe benefit to many forest and agricultural ecosystems. By building on past work in Europe and the rest of North America, we aim to develop protocols and technologies that are suited to the distinct conditions of north-central BC. We will also explore the potential of further energy extraction from high-carbon ash. This three-year study will include the characterization of various types of wood biomass ash, and the response of various soils and plants to ash addition in greenhouse and field trials. We will explore ways of adding further value to ash intended for soil application; these include pretreatments to improve the handling, application and nutrient release properties of the ash. A key aspect of the work is to determine best management practices for the delivery of ash materials to agricultural fields and to forest stands. Such practices must be economical and must enhance the receiving environment. This study brings university and industry together to address a common problem. We expect results to be beneficial to other ash generators, regulators and academia. The work will provide an excellent opportunity to train students focused on solving an important environmental issue.