Enhancing dewatering, drying, combustion and utilization of pulp and paper mill biosludge

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Canadian pulp and paper mills generate more than 20 million cubic metres of raw biosludge per year. Biosludge is generated during biological wastewater treatment and consists to >98% of water with the remainder being bacteria and tree residues. Energy intensive dewatering can decrease the water content to 60 - 80%, at which the sludge is either being landfilled, incinerated in biomass boilers, or land-applied. Regardless of the disposal option selected, the processing, chemical and energy costs are substantial as are the opportunities to reduce their environmental footprint.In order to remain competitive on the global market and to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations, Canadian mills need to be provided with methods and strategies for a more cost and energy effective management of biosludge, while minimizing the mills' environmental footprint. This 4-year collaborative research and development program is aimed at developing methods for cost effective dewatering, drying, combustion and utilization of mill biosludge. The research will be conducted at the University of Toronto as well as with Laurentian University starting the Fall of 2016 through support from NSERC and seven Canadian pulp and paper related companies.The proposed research program consists of four main tasks, each involving two or more projects. It will be led by Professor Grant Allen and seven other professors from the University of Toronto, Laurentian University, and McGill University. The research program will train 15 graduate students, and at least 8 undergraduate students in Canada. Successful completion of the program will lead to the development of intellectual property and new technologies that can be commercialized, and provide Canadian pulp and paper mills with tools and guidelines for cost effective sludge management.