Valorization of biomass residues to treat produced/natural gas

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The focus of the five-year program is to develop green adsorbent based gas treatment systems to remove problematic compounds and meet infrastructure/space constraints in remote/harsh environments. The underlying principle is green processing, where materials used are sustainably sourced, and energy/waste are minimized. The adsorbents will be derived from products of the thermochemical conversion of forestry and fishery residues. We have already demonstrated that the thermochemical conversion (fast and slow pyrolysis) of forestry residues produces not only a source of energy but also high value chemicals and materials. This work focuses on the biochar generated as a "by-product" in fast pyrolysis. The overall objective of this work is to develop adsorbents derived from biochar to treat gas streams, particularly in locations where the treatment options are limited due to location and/or infrastructure. The biochar will be sourced from sawmill residues, shellfish by-product, and combinations of these materials in order to maximize the different composition/functionalities these feedstocks bring to the biochar. The short term objectives are to; develop applications for bioadsorbents based on the surface properties that different residues/modifications bring to the biochars; develop methodology based on molecular modelling (MM) tools to "screen" target gas compounds affinity for adsorption thereby reducing the number and costs associated with experiments; develop mass transfer and kinetic models for scale up of fixed bed adsorbents; determine regeneration/sequestration capacity of char as a function of feedstock and application for long term re-use and disposal assessment; develop HQP who are technical experts in bioproduct development AND see the opportunities in "residues" and remote regions.  The proposed research will generate new knowledge with the strong potential to strengthen Canada's bioproduct base and increase the number of HQP trained as experts in the bioeconomy. These HQP will have skills ranging from fundamental research and modelling, product development, market challenges, policy development, and how infrastructure plays into product development. In short they will be able to transition to academic, government, or industry (potentially as an entrepreneur) from their graduate work.