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Title
From Kraft Mills to Forest Biorefinery: an Energy and Water Perspective. II. Case Study
Authors
Mariya Marinova Enrique Mateos-Espejel and Jean Paris
Received
November 19, 2009
Published
Volume 44 Issue 1-3 January-March
Keywords
hemicellulose biorefinery, Kraft pulp mill, energy optimization, dissolving pulp, value-added
Abstract
In Canada, the pulp and paper industry, a major contributor to the economy, is facing one of the most severe crises of its history. The biorefinery concept offers an opportunity to revitalize the industry by producing high-value chemicals and biofuels, by developing new technologies and by penetrating new markets. To become successful, the biorefinery should address a number of challenges, associated to feedstock, products, markets, technology and sustainability. This paper is the second part of a work undertaken to evaluate the energy impacts of a Kraft pulp mill conversion into a biorefinery. In Part I, a methodology identifying the interactions between steam and water systems in the Kraft process and their effects on the implementation of energy efficiency measures has been developed. Part II deals with the application of this methodology in the specific Canadian biorefinery context. Hemicellulose extraction from wood chips prior to pulping and its transformation into high-value products is the biorefining technology identified for integration into the existing pulp mills. A Canadian hardwood Kraft pulp mill that has the opportunity to be converted into a dissolving pulp mill was selected as a biorefinery acceptor. Hemicellulose, used as a feedstock for promising products, such as furfural, xylitol and ethanol, has been analyzed. Issues related to the corresponding energy requirements of the biorefinery and to its sustainability have also been investigated.
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