NSERC Research Grants: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Biomass is an upcoming attractive green energy alternative in a low carbon economy. Slags are a by-product of such processes. We aim to identify the composition of these slags that enable this technology to generate zero waste. Thus, modifying the composition of the product slags in order to enable them to be easily removed from the reactor and turn them into saleable products (e.g. road beds or concrete additive). Thus, the viscosity, surface tension, and density, of different slags and derivatives generated by Enerkem, a biomass processing industrial partner, must be determined as a function of composition and temperature. There are numerous methods for measuring each of these properties. However, only two methods can provide such measurements from a single experiment: the Aerodynamic Levitation method (ADL) and the Discharge Crucible method (DC). The former was developed by the German Aerospace Center (Cologne, DLR) and the latter at the University of Alberta. Since the latter has not yet been used at high temperatures and on slags, it is proposed that a comparison of the two methods along with the Brookfield viscometer be carried out in this study. Following this, a series of measurements will be made using the DC and Brookfield methods on industrial slags with varying composition and temperatures. Thus, the capabilities of the DC method will be greatly expanded and validated. Also Enerkem will be able to explore the effect of varying slag chemistry on the efficiency of its process and the nature of slag feasible to generate as a bi-product.The success of this project will enhance new Canadian technology in biomass resulting in reducing Canada's carbon footprint. For the University, the DC will become a proven, efficient and unique method for property evaluation over a wide range of temperatures and materials. Two graduate students will be trained under this CR&D project.