Grant: Idea to Innovation
École Polytechnique de Montréal
$125,000.00
LigniWave: Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of bio-dispersants from biomass's ligneous waste
EF 2024-25
Résumé
The Engineering Process Intensification and Catalysis (EPIC) team at Polytechnique Montréal has developed the LigniWave technology, a transformative approach in the utilization of forestry waste to high-value, eco-friendly bio-dispersants through an ultrasound-assisted technology. LigniWave leverages thigh-intensity sound waves to depolymerize and carboxyalkylate lignin, a waste byproduct of the pulp and paper industry. LigniWave's bio-dispersants have performance comparable to the petroleum-derived benchmarks (e.g. dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, DOSS), with the extra benefit of being more stable. The process is 55 % more energy-efficient than conventional thermal methods - its reactor contact time being at least seven times shorter. The funding requested will target enhancements to elevate the technology from the current laboratory success to commercial viability. This includes the transition from batch to a semi-continuous process, integrating a continuous ultrasound unit with a downstream semi-continuous separation/filtration, capable of processing 0.5 L per minute. The purification system combines pH-driven precipitation with advanced electrodialysis. The proposed project benefits from the support of four interested companies in the fields of pulp and paper, cosmetic, nutritional supplements and pharma products, besides Axelys as the technology transfer partner. Dispersants find applications in diversified fields, from breaking down oil spills to enhancing drug solubility in medications, agricultural products, and in construction. The dispersants' market value is forecast at USD 9.3 billion by 2027 with a 2022-2027 CAGR of 5.5 %. LigniWave represents a responsible waste management and innovation tool in the Canadian pulp and paper industry landscape, with its active 76 pulp and paper companies, as it creates a new revenue stream while reducing waste. LigniWave aligns with Canada's strategic environmental and economic goals, positioning the country at the forefront of sustainable industrial innovation.
Programme
Idea to Innovation
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Quebec, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
590706-2024
Name nom
Boffito, Daria Camilla DC
Department département
Génie chimique
Organization id
64
Institution établissement
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2024
Award amount
125000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
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
1801
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Reaction fundamentals and reactor design
Research subject fr
Principes des réactions et conception de réacteurs
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
LigniWave: Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of bio-dispersants from biomass's ligneous waste
Keywords
carboxymethylation; continuous reactor; dispersants; electrodialysis; lignin; process intensification; scale-up; sonochemistry; ultrasound
Application summary
The Engineering Process Intensification and Catalysis (EPIC) team at Polytechnique Montréal has developed the LigniWave technology, a transformative approach in the utilization of forestry waste to high-value, eco-friendly bio-dispersants through an ultrasound-assisted technology. LigniWave leverages thigh-intensity sound waves to depolymerize and carboxyalkylate lignin, a waste byproduct of the pulp and paper industry. LigniWave's bio-dispersants have performance comparable to the petroleum-derived benchmarks (e.g. dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, DOSS), with the extra benefit of being more stable. The process is 55 % more energy-efficient than conventional thermal methods - its reactor contact time being at least seven times shorter. The funding requested will target enhancements to elevate the technology from the current laboratory success to commercial viability. This includes the transition from batch to a semi-continuous process, integrating a continuous ultrasound unit with a downstream semi-continuous separation/filtration, capable of processing 0.5 L per minute. The purification system combines pH-driven precipitation with advanced electrodialysis. The proposed project benefits from the support of four interested companies in the fields of pulp and paper, cosmetic, nutritional supplements and pharma products, besides Axelys as the technology transfer partner. Dispersants find applications in diversified fields, from breaking down oil spills to enhancing drug solubility in medications, agricultural products, and in construction. The dispersants' market value is forecast at USD 9.3 billion by 2027 with a 2022-2027 CAGR of 5.5 %. LigniWave represents a responsible waste management and innovation tool in the Canadian pulp and paper industry landscape, with its active 76 pulp and paper companies, as it creates a new revenue stream while reducing waste. LigniWave aligns with Canada's strategic environmental and economic goals, positioning the country at the forefront of sustainable industrial innovation.
