Poster Abstracts
The Atlantic Biorefinery Conference will be showcasing innovative research findings from across Canada. Posters will be on display at the Atlantic Biorefinery Conference for delegates to view and ask questions. Judges will choose the best student poster for an award to be announced at the end of the event.
Birch Bark - a Renewable Resource for Betulin and its Derivatives
Dr. Matthias Bierenstiel, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Cape Breton University, Sydney
Birch bark-oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and skin rashes and has excellent potential for the treatment of other diseases as shown in literature and through oral traditions of the Mi'kmaq people. Thus, it is a great commercial opportunity to use the bioactive bark-oil obtained from birch bark.
In collaboration with our industrial partner B.W. BioEnergy Inc. we have developed a multi-stage approach for value-added strategies of birch bark which is a side-product of the processing of birch wood for biocarbon. We are able to efficiently separate outer and inner birch bark in a new, proprietary process as outer bark contains up to 25wt% betulin. In addition, we are able to produce bark-oil in proprietary batch reactor and semi-continuous reactor under dry distillation conditions. Treatment of bark-oil allows us to remove odourous volatile organic compounds.
In collaboration with our industrial partner B.W. BioEnergy Inc. we have developed a multi-stage approach for value-added strategies of birch bark which is a side-product of the processing of birch wood for biocarbon. We are able to efficiently separate outer and inner birch bark in a new, proprietary process as outer bark contains up to 25wt% betulin. In addition, we are able to produce bark-oil in proprietary batch reactor and semi-continuous reactor under dry distillation conditions. Treatment of bark-oil allows us to remove odourous volatile organic compounds.
Improving growth of biomass feedstocks by applying beneficial soil microbes and plant supplements
Houman Fei, Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University
Commercial-scale lignocellulosic biofuel production is greatly dependent on the availability and costs of biomass feedstocks. Supply chains for biomass feedstocks are complex and composed of many component factors including feedstocks’ types, productivity, quality, input costs, harvesting costs, transportation systems costs, and environmental sustainability characteristics/requirements. However, to make lignocellulosic-based biofuel more competitive with petroleum-based fuels or first-generation feedstock-based biofuels, lowering the cost of production of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks is one of the most significant factors.
Fast-growing hybrid poplars and high-yielding switchgrass show great promise as lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks in North America due to the advantages of being able to grow on agriculturally marginal lands and having environmentally sustainable characteristics. Poplar coppice can be harvested every 3 to 8 years for 20 or 30 years before replanting. Switchgrass can be harvested every year for up to 10 years before replanting.
It may also be possible to lower the production costs of these feedstocks via improving their productivities by the application of beneficial soil microbes and plant supplements. Here we present the results from the experiments involving three clones of hybrid poplars and two cultivars of switchgrass treated with beneficial soil microbes and plant supplements under field and greenhouse conditions.
Fast-growing hybrid poplars and high-yielding switchgrass show great promise as lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks in North America due to the advantages of being able to grow on agriculturally marginal lands and having environmentally sustainable characteristics. Poplar coppice can be harvested every 3 to 8 years for 20 or 30 years before replanting. Switchgrass can be harvested every year for up to 10 years before replanting.
It may also be possible to lower the production costs of these feedstocks via improving their productivities by the application of beneficial soil microbes and plant supplements. Here we present the results from the experiments involving three clones of hybrid poplars and two cultivars of switchgrass treated with beneficial soil microbes and plant supplements under field and greenhouse conditions.
The Ocean-Based Biorefinery – A Platform for Economic Diversification and Sustainable Community Development in Rural Newfoundland
Jochen Korner, Memorial University
The interdisciplinary PhD thesis investigates a novel approach to resource extraction and utilization – the ocean-based biorefinery – and its feasibility within the socio-economic framework of Newfoundland (NL). It is integrative by design and draws from the four disciplines Economy, Chemistry, Geography and Oceanography.
The study determines the suitability of different streams of marine biomass for conversion (macro-algae, fish- or shellfish waste) that are readily available in the province. Anaerobic digestion (AD), the controlled microbial decomposition of biomass in absence of oxygen, provides the initial platform for this conversion and allows to turn biomass into energy, yielding feedstock-dependent side-products in the same or subsequent processes. Each type of biomass is assessed for conversion-efficiencies, energy-output and metabolic side-products from the different stages of the AD process.
Qualitative and quantitative interviews rooted in social theory help to transfer these findings into a community setting and identify untapped social capital, while benefit-cost analysis highlight economic implications.
The overall aim is to provide rural NL communities with options for alternative livelihoods, diversified sources of income and greater degrees of independence that are needed to further maintain, sustain and develop those communities.
The study determines the suitability of different streams of marine biomass for conversion (macro-algae, fish- or shellfish waste) that are readily available in the province. Anaerobic digestion (AD), the controlled microbial decomposition of biomass in absence of oxygen, provides the initial platform for this conversion and allows to turn biomass into energy, yielding feedstock-dependent side-products in the same or subsequent processes. Each type of biomass is assessed for conversion-efficiencies, energy-output and metabolic side-products from the different stages of the AD process.
Qualitative and quantitative interviews rooted in social theory help to transfer these findings into a community setting and identify untapped social capital, while benefit-cost analysis highlight economic implications.
The overall aim is to provide rural NL communities with options for alternative livelihoods, diversified sources of income and greater degrees of independence that are needed to further maintain, sustain and develop those communities.
Utilization of growth-promoters to enhance biomass productivity af Arundo donax L. (NileFiberTM)
Emily Peters, Saint Mary’s University
Arundo donax L., a perennial grass species of Mediterranean origin with characteristic high growth rate and biomass yield potential have attributed to its viability as a biofuel feedstock in its native climate. The goal of this research was to evaluate the growth potential of a proprietary genotype of A. donax L. (NileFiber™) on low-quality land in Nova Scotia as a purpose-grown biofuel feedstock. Applications of plant growth-promoters (bacterial and fungal species) and synthetic substances (seaweed extract and lipo-chitooligosaccharide) were investigated for their ability to enhance NileFiber™ biomass productivity in lieu of synthetic fertilizers. Growth-promoters were applied in three experimental trials (two greenhouse, one field) and were compared to untreated plants in both environments. Growth potential was determined by growth measurements taken at harvest and by calculating biomass yield. NileFiber™ survival in its non-native environment will be evaluated in the spring of 2016 upon overwintering. Experimental evaluation should be repeated in subsequent growing seasons to obtain additional performance data to substantiate observations from this study
Does Biomass Based District Heating Benefit Aboriginal Communities? : A Case Study from the Grassy Narrows First Nation, Northwestern Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Cassia Sanzida Baten
The economic structure of rural northwestern Ontario communities is not stable. Biomass is becoming a major component of the renewable energy and fuels picture for Canada. Bioenergy can be obtained from the waste of sawmills, woodworking shops, forest operations and farms.
Small commercial wood heating is common in rural areas across Canada. They have achieved significant savings and other benefits from low-cost bioenergy. This case study represents a small biomass heating plant located in a First Nation Community of the northwestern Ontario, Canada. It established in 1997, establishment cost $4 million and annual operational cost $230,000. Consumers are local school, day care center, administration building, community hall and 30% of the total residences. Saw dust, wood chips and slash from forest are used to generate energy. Flat rate Oct.-Dec.$60/house, and Jan.-Ap.$150/house. It created 6 permanent jobs to operate the system and10 other jobs for fuel collection and supply. By this system community’s dependency on oil is reduced and heat is generated by waste. Roughly for every dollar spent on biomass fuel, 70¢ stays in the local economy compared to 10¢ for oil. It reduced emission of CO2 and SO2. The system has reduced fires from wood stove & electric heaters and solves the problem of wood-waste disposal at the local sawmill.
Small commercial wood heating is common in rural areas across Canada. They have achieved significant savings and other benefits from low-cost bioenergy. This case study represents a small biomass heating plant located in a First Nation Community of the northwestern Ontario, Canada. It established in 1997, establishment cost $4 million and annual operational cost $230,000. Consumers are local school, day care center, administration building, community hall and 30% of the total residences. Saw dust, wood chips and slash from forest are used to generate energy. Flat rate Oct.-Dec.$60/house, and Jan.-Ap.$150/house. It created 6 permanent jobs to operate the system and10 other jobs for fuel collection and supply. By this system community’s dependency on oil is reduced and heat is generated by waste. Roughly for every dollar spent on biomass fuel, 70¢ stays in the local economy compared to 10¢ for oil. It reduced emission of CO2 and SO2. The system has reduced fires from wood stove & electric heaters and solves the problem of wood-waste disposal at the local sawmill.
Project "SARA-Bio" for improving the efficiency of existing biogas plants by 2-4 fold
Sergey Shcherbakov, SARA-Bio
Biogas plant owners lose over $2.5 billion annually due to long digestion times, low digester throughput and low biogas yield.
We used the impact of our devices (of electromagnetic field in the liquid) on the microorganisms and mechanical particles in the digestate. We measured the effect of conversion of raw materials into an emulsion and subsequent "Bacterial Explosion."
The effect of our device in the biogas reactor was measured as the increase of biogas and reduction of processing time of raw materials by 2-2,5 fold.
This technology will allow many companies to modernize their operations in Europe and the USA.
We used the impact of our devices (of electromagnetic field in the liquid) on the microorganisms and mechanical particles in the digestate. We measured the effect of conversion of raw materials into an emulsion and subsequent "Bacterial Explosion."
The effect of our device in the biogas reactor was measured as the increase of biogas and reduction of processing time of raw materials by 2-2,5 fold.
This technology will allow many companies to modernize their operations in Europe and the USA.
Exploring the Structural Properties of Industrial Hemp in Concrete
Lisa Talbot, Nova Scotia Community College
Nowadays, there has been an emerging need in embracing use of non-renewable resources and identifying sustainable technologies to mitigate the burden on the environment. As more stringent environmental regulations are adapted, the industry will realize growth in the development of new materials that utilize a significant proportion of renewable raw materials. One such emerging area is in the field of biocomposites, which has already demonstrated unique applications in construction, automobile, and packaging industries. Unlike typical conventional fibers (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, glass and steel) currently used in the structural industry, biocomposites consists of one or more bio-based raw materials such as natural fibers, which are renown for their high flexibility, low cost, ease of processing, biodegradability, and recyclability. Currently, the use of natural fiber composites seems to be based on the low cost and environmental benefits, rather than on their strength capabilities. It is important that more researches that focus on enhanced strength capabilities, and on the uses of natural fibers in structural and allied product applications.
In this study, the improvement in the tensile and compressive strengths of concrete composites was explored by batching, testing, and comparing the results to a basic concrete mix, and a concrete mix containing polyethylene fibers. The basic mix was used as a control, while the industrial hemp and polyethylene fibers were added at six separate ratios of 0.13 %, 0.26 %, and 0.42 %. Six cylinders created from each mix, three for tensile strength testing, and the other three for compressive strength testing. A total of 42 cylinders were made and tested for their corresponding strengths following current industry testing protocol. The test results revealed that the cylinders with the 0.13 % of industrial hemp fibers met the CSA standards for compressive and splitting tensile strengths. It was also found that using the industrial hemp fibers at about half the percentage by volume that of the polyethylene fibers, yielded about the same strength in both compression and tension. These results are very promising and indicate a future potential for industrial hemp fibers in concrete structural applications as well as in other biocomposites commodities.
Keywords: biocomposites; concrete mix; industrial hemp fibers; natural fibers; polyethylene fibers; structural properties.
In this study, the improvement in the tensile and compressive strengths of concrete composites was explored by batching, testing, and comparing the results to a basic concrete mix, and a concrete mix containing polyethylene fibers. The basic mix was used as a control, while the industrial hemp and polyethylene fibers were added at six separate ratios of 0.13 %, 0.26 %, and 0.42 %. Six cylinders created from each mix, three for tensile strength testing, and the other three for compressive strength testing. A total of 42 cylinders were made and tested for their corresponding strengths following current industry testing protocol. The test results revealed that the cylinders with the 0.13 % of industrial hemp fibers met the CSA standards for compressive and splitting tensile strengths. It was also found that using the industrial hemp fibers at about half the percentage by volume that of the polyethylene fibers, yielded about the same strength in both compression and tension. These results are very promising and indicate a future potential for industrial hemp fibers in concrete structural applications as well as in other biocomposites commodities.
Keywords: biocomposites; concrete mix; industrial hemp fibers; natural fibers; polyethylene fibers; structural properties.
