INNOVATION July-August 2015

2014 ¢

2015 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Lignin Recovery Plant West Fraser’s Hinton (Alberta) pulp mill will be the first in Canada to harness next-generation technology to extract lignin from its black liquor recovery stream on a commercial scale. The lignin recovery plant is based on the proprietary LignoForce TM process developed in Canada by NORAM Engineering and FPInnovations, and will position West Fraser to fill promising opportunities for extracted lignin in new, higher-value products. The LignoForce TM plant, with a nameplate capacity of 30 MTPD, follows extensive piloting at FPInnovations, and the construction of a demonstration facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario. NORAM provided the detailed design and engineering (process, mechanical, instrumentation and piping) for the plant, and supplied all process equipment, including a number of pre-assembled modules. The new plant can tailor production to a range of lignin formulations, and exemplifies the drive by the forest products sector towards greater product beneficiation and diversification. University Drive West Upgrade This project is located on Burnaby Mountain at Simon Fraser University. Parsons’ assignment was to prepare a preliminary and detailed design for the removal of all concrete road slabs, originally constructed in the 1960s, and reconstruct University Drive West with a flexible asphalt pavement structure that would reduce wear and tear on vehicles and improve safety. This project adopted a wide array of green initiatives. These included a road design with minimal ecological footprint; removal and reclamation of existing concrete road slabs as granular base material under the new Sidewalks and Multi- Use Pathways; implementation of a roundabout to improve safety; conversion of existing one-way streets into two-way streets to improve efficiency and flexibility; installation and replacement of streetlights with energy efficient LED lights; and implementation of stormwater management measures, including a new detention pond. Owner: SFU (Todd Gattinger, P.Eng.). Project team: Steve Russell, P.Eng.; Stan Wu, P.Eng.; Sima Zandi, P.Eng.; Todd Bowie, P.Eng.; Rick Larin, contract administrator, Tim Murphy, Eng.L.; Jocelyn McLaren, Traffic Micro-Simulation Modeller. Hog Fuel Boiler Retrofit A pulp and paper mill in Tacoma, Washington, had been experiencing severe bridging above its screw. The resulting flow interruptions impeded the mill’s ability to control emissions and maintain an even steaming rate. Kamengo replaced the mill’s existing five screw feeders with five Kamengo Feeders. After the retrofit, the mill has been able to get a smooth, even discharge of fuel into its boiler without interruption, allowing it to keep its emissions below state requirements while increasing its steam output. The Kamengo Feeder was developed in BC with assistance from Natural Resources Canada, and is a product of a lengthy research program conducted in

the 1980s that looked at why hog fuel bins plug. Kamengo Technology: Nazmir Bundalli, P. Eng.

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