Novel treatments and end uses for kraft mill residuals: post-doctoral research for improved dewatering and energy recovery and developing targeted soil amendments for agriculture, silviculture, and land reclamation

Canada’s pulp and paper sector remains a vital economic engine, particularly for smaller communities. Large volumes of waste residuals, originating primarily from forest biomass and natural minerals, are still landfilled. Research has shown that application of these residues benefits agricultural land and forests, and promotes tree and plant growth in land that has lost its vegetation because the residues contain organic material and nutrients that benefit plant growth. This post-doctoral internship will be focused on helping the mill direct its residues from landfills to some of these or other applications. The post-doc will help establish which applications are regionally available and economically viable; conduct testing to ensure they are safe for the proposed application(s); and help the mill comply with all provincial and national regulations. Key findings of this work will reported at Canadian conferences and journals, both academic and industrial, so that other localities in Canada can benefit.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nikolai DeMartini;Nathan Basiliko

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Kraft Paper

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Toronto

Program: