Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 3

Ethanol is a vital substance used across many industries. The world's ethanol consumption is growing_x000d_dramatically due to the drive for biofuels and green plastic production. Ethanol production consumes water andenergy. Whitefox Technologies Inc.'s (Whitefox) has greened this process with a patented technology that_x000d_minimizes waste while increasing water and energy efficiencies. Their single step modular membrane process for various grades of ethanol (fuel and industrial) have a strong tolerance for high water content removing the need for a distillation stage. The outcome is a novel, fully integrated process that maximizes water and energy efficiencies._x000d_For 20 years, Whitefox has worked with engineering companies and ethanol producers to apply membrane_x000d_technology to ethanol dehydration producing a high grade ethanol. Whitefox has developed and_x000d_commercialized process solutions based on membrane-assisted dehydration of organic solvents They have a new a promising technology with Polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers. They are seeking to work with SAIT to_x000d_achieve a consistent novel hollow fibre membrane technology platform for a variety of technical separations under mechanical, thermal (above 500° C) and chemical exposure. This novel efficient process significantly reduces energy consumption, water usage and greenhouse gas emission during the use of ethanol in the_x000d_production of pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, organic specialties and biofuel commodities. Whitefox is providing solutions to customers in Europe, Brazil and North America, with a modular system catering to a_x000d_large range of capacities from 6,000 to 1 million liters per day.