INNOVATION July-August 2014

Electrochemical Process for the Production of a Natural Sweetener A pilot plant capable of demonstrating a more cost-effective production of a natural low-calorie sweetener, Erythritol, was designed by NORAM Engineering & Constructors (NORAM) and the Electrosynthesis Company (ESC) for biotech firm Dynamic Food Ingredients (DFI).The electrochemical cell prototype used in the pilot plant was designed by NORAM and assembled at BC Research based on concepts developed at ESC where several years of cell development, testing and optimization at smaller scales have already taken place. The pilot plant is currently in operation at ESC in Buffalo, New York, which has a joint venture with NORAM. Experiments with the new larger pilot plant are now being performed to better understand the effect of cell size on long-term continuous operation and to generate bulk samples for large-scale vendor trials in support of the future full-scale plant development. Owner: DFI. Engineering design: NORAM and ESC. Prototype cell assembly: BC Research. Plot campaign: ESC and NORAM. South Surrey Recreation Centre South Surrey Recreation Centre’s new 20,000 ft 2 expansion incorporated many sustainable initiatives, techniques and products. In keeping with BC’s Wood First Initiative, wood was employed as one of the main structural and decorative materials for the new building. Design innovations include the seamless seismic separation between the new and existing structure, which was achieved by providing custom slip connections and movement joints between adjacent buildings. The unconventional placement of steel beams supporting the perimeter overhangs created sleek simple lines and allowed for the use of clear storey glazing. The new building’s gravity and lateral resisting systems were carefully located to take advantage of the existing structural framing, resulting in an efficient structural system that maintains the distinctive character and identity of the original building. Owner: City of Surrey. Architect: Taylor Kurtz Architecture + Design. General contractor: Heatherbrae Builder. Electrical engineer: Applied Engineering Solution.

Mica Dam Completed in 1973, Mica Dam is located 137 km north of Revelstoke on the Columbia River. In 2012, BC Hydro initiated a project to improve instrumentation in the downstream shell of the dam. This project includes installation of several deep standpipe and multi-level piezometers in the dam and foundation. The piezometer casings were drilled from the dam crest at dip angles up to 61 degrees and depths of up to 260 m. To address these unprecedented and challenging conditions, BC Hydro procured the services of Foundex Explorations and the parties collaboratively developed an innovative drilling methodology to meet both the technical and dam safety requirements of the work. Piezometer installations were successfully completed as designed in 2013. Project team: Megan Sheffer, P.Eng.; Jason Braund-Read, EIT; Zeljko Cecic, P.Eng. (BC Hydro). Doug Baker, P.Geo. (RST Instruments). David Willms, P.Eng.; Matthias Busslinger, P.Eng.; Daniel Klassen, P.Eng. (Klohn Crippen Berger).

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