Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access

The potential black liquor has to improve the sustainability of Kraft process if used as feedstock for Kraft biorefinery

7^th International Congress on Biofuels and Bioenergy

October 02-04, 2017 Toronto, Canada

Franklin Kalu and John M. Andresen

Heriot-Watt University, UK

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy Appl

Abstract :

Among different chemical pulping processes, conventional Kraft pulping process is commonly practised. In this chemical pulping process, woodchips are converted into pulp and black liquor in presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium sulphide (N2S). This black liquor is subjected to combustion in the recovery boiler to produce steam, used for power generation and smelt recycled to extract cooking chemical (white liquor). However, Birch wood was used for this experiment. After cooking the wood sample, the pulp was separated from the black liquor using a filter paper. Furthermore, the product was washed and dried at 105oC. The by- product obtained from cooking each particle size (0-2, 2-4 and 4-8mm); at these cooking times (30, 60 and 90mins) resulted to different strong Kraft spent liquor (SKSL) samples. A liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was carried out on the SKSL��?s using Hexane as the separation solvent. The results obtained from analysing the extract using a GC/ MS and a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), indicate that particle size 0- 2mm contain higher percentage of extractable biocrude that can be converted to value-added products In summary, the result obtained from the TGA and GC/MS analysis has shown that black liquor has the potential to improve the sustainability and economic viability of Kraft pulping mills when used as a feedstock in Kraft bio-refinery to produce value- added product.

Biography :

Franklin Kalu has his first degree in Bio-resource Engineering, and holds a Masters degree in Renewable Energy Engineering. Recently he is a PhD student at Heriot Watt University. His research interests are focusing on how the integration of a biorefinery concept can make large industries sustainable. Currently he is working on how changes in input parameter (woodchip length) affect energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Furthermore, he is analysing the impact of converting by-products from Kraft pulping mills into value-added products.