Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Lakehead University
$61,000.00
Production of water soluble products from tall oil lignin
FY 2020-21
Summary
In this collaborative project, Dr. Fatehi of Chemical Engineering Department at Lakehead University along with Mr. Kelertas and Mr. Dokis of Resolute Forest Products will investigate the production of flocculants from lignin that is extracted from the tall oil production process of the Resolute Forest Products mill in Thunder Bay, ON.
In tall oil production process, crude tall oil is produced via acidulation of tall oil soap that is separated from black liquor of the kraft pulping process. Lignin and spent acids are the by-products of the tall oil production process. They are sent back to the evaporators of the kraft process and mixed with black liquor for burning. In this proposed CRD project, the opportunities for producing flocculants from lignin of the tall oil process is evaluated. Various innovative pathways will be examined to produce flocculants from lignin and the most compatible process with the tall oil production process will be evaluated in detail for facilitating its adaptation and commercialization in the kraft process. The produced flocculants are proposed to be used in water and wastewater purification of the mill (i.e., internal uses) as well as in municipal wastewater, thickeners and waste treatment facilities of the mining industry (i.e., external uses). Dr. Fatehi and Resolute's staff will collaborate closely on a bimonthly basis so that the developed technology can be adapted and practically implemented into the existing facilities of Resolute's mill in Thunder Bay. This new process will assist Resolute's mill in increasing its revenues and reducing its overall operation costs. Meanwhile, it will enable Dr. Fatehi to investigate the fundamentals associated with the application of lignin-based flocculants in wastewater systems and to be the pioneer in developing lignin-based value-added products. The production of lignin-based flocculants is a pathway to establish kraft-based biorefinery, which will increase and diversify the revenues of kraft pulp mills across Canada.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
517778-2017
Name nom
Fatehi, Pedram
Department département
Chemical Engineering
Organization id
25
Institution établissement
Lakehead University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2020
Competition year année de concours
2017
Award amount
61000
Program id
CRDPJ
Program name en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
503
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Wood, wood products and paper
Area of application fr
Bois, produits du bois et papier
Research subject code
1802
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Biochemical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie biochimique
Installment
inst:3 - 3
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Production of water soluble products from tall oil lignin
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
In this collaborative project, Dr. Fatehi of Chemical Engineering Department at Lakehead University along with Mr. Kelertas and Mr. Dokis of Resolute Forest Products will investigate the production of flocculants from lignin that is extracted from the tall oil production process of the Resolute Forest Products mill in Thunder Bay, ON.
In tall oil production process, crude tall oil is produced via acidulation of tall oil soap that is separated from black liquor of the kraft pulping process. Lignin and spent acids are the by-products of the tall oil production process. They are sent back to the evaporators of the kraft process and mixed with black liquor for burning. In this proposed CRD project, the opportunities for producing flocculants from lignin of the tall oil process is evaluated. Various innovative pathways will be examined to produce flocculants from lignin and the most compatible process with the tall oil production process will be evaluated in detail for facilitating its adaptation and commercialization in the kraft process. The produced flocculants are proposed to be used in water and wastewater purification of the mill (i.e., internal uses) as well as in municipal wastewater, thickeners and waste treatment facilities of the mining industry (i.e., external uses). Dr. Fatehi and Resolute's staff will collaborate closely on a bimonthly basis so that the developed technology can be adapted and practically implemented into the existing facilities of Resolute's mill in Thunder Bay. This new process will assist Resolute's mill in increasing its revenues and reducing its overall operation costs. Meanwhile, it will enable Dr. Fatehi to investigate the fundamentals associated with the application of lignin-based flocculants in wastewater systems and to be the pioneer in developing lignin-based value-added products. The production of lignin-based flocculants is a pathway to establish kraft-based biorefinery, which will increase and diversify the revenues of kraft pulp mills across Canada.
