Canadian optimal biomass processing framework

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Canada has rich biomass resources and a history of producing and exporting forestry and agricultural products. With an increasing global need to find sustainable solutions to produce the material and energy demanded by society, concepts of biomass-to-chemicals and biomass-to-fuels are viable options for a future sustainable chemical sector combined with the current activities. The goal of this research project is therefore to identify the best solutions for biomass transformation throughout Canada, considering different types of biomass and availability of regional resources, with specific constraints imposed by geographical context and surrounding potential interconnections. The solutions are generated using an optimization framework based on process integration, consequently enabling assessment of integrating novel biomass processing routes with existing processes (e.g. pulping) and cross-sectorally to explore industrial symbiosis opportunities. The long-term goal of this research programme is therefore to develop the necessary tools and methods to support decision-making toward a more sustainable industrial economy, with specific focus on the use and transformation of biomass feedstock into value-added products and how to integrate these processes with other processes and sectors of the economy (Obj0). The foundational aspects to be developed within this initial phase of the research program include an ontology to classify resource properties and provide system recommendations (Obj1), a comprehensive geographical framework to quantify resource availability and product demands (Obj2), and a modelbase of conversion technologies to provide options for a superstructure optimization framework to select transition pathways toward a sustainable industrial economy in Canada (Obj3). This initial phase of the research is a crucial foundation for future expansion of the work and to make the transition to a more sustainable industrial economy in Canada. The techniques and skills that will be used and developed by the researchers during this initial phase of the research programme are highly relevant in the industrial, government and academic domains. Specifically, ontology is the basis for knowledge graphs and recommender systems, which are highly-valued parts of many commercial platforms and are a burgeoning area of academic research. Database development and management, and associated techniques of data treatment are also highly-relevant in industry, academia and government and extend to machine learning and analytics applications. Finally, modelling and optimization skills have extensive demand in industrial and academic domains, and are increasingly used to improve various aspects of design and operation of industrial processes. Overall, the three doctoral students involved in this programme will emerge as highly-qualified contributors to the Canadian workforce, and will be well-suited for a variety of future positions.