Integrated Biocarbon Sequestration Pathways for Negative Emission Technologies

Project description

Canada is blessed with one of the largest concentrations of sustainable forests and crop land, contributing more than C$160 billion/year to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). Preliminary estimates show that Canada’s unutilized forestry and agriculture residues have potential to help reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by one third to one half of its 2030 timeframe target. With the paradigm shift in carbon dynamics of the modern era, there is a strong need to reassess the current and emerging residues conversion pathways.

Depending on the appropriate technology, conversion of carbon in these residues to recalcitrant (i.e., very stable) organic carbon containing biochar can lead to long term (>100s of years) carbon storage. Thus, instead of letting these residues decay on site over time or contributing to devastating forest fires that emit huge amounts of CO₂and methane, they can be transformed through either pyrolysis or gasification to carbon intensive biochar (see figure A and B below). This biochar can either be utilized as a soil enrichment agent or be buried (i.e., to be stored) as part of the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategy. When compared to conventional approaches, such as carbon dioxide sequestration or subsequent energy intensive conversion to inert carbon compounds, biochar-based carbon sequestration is a local solution that is not dependent on either long-haul transport or aggregation. Biochar based engineered approaches also offer an opportunity for negative carbon emissions (i.e., carbon dioxide removal (CDR) pathways). Our team aims to optimize integrated thermochemical pathways for biomass residues coupled with carbon sequestration approaches to realize maximum economic value and impact from these residues.

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Figure A depicts the natural carbon cycle where carbon in the atmosphere is transformed through photosynthesis into plants and trees. At the end of their life cycle, the dead biomass naturally decays or is burnt through accidental forest fires, causing huge amounts of GHG emissions into the atmosphere.

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Figure B on the right depicts an altered or engineered carbon cycle where the dead biomass is transformed into useful liquid and gaseous biofuels, as well a large amount of carbon intense biochar is directed to soil amendments or to long term carbon sequestration. This engineered approach offers environmental as well economic benefits to local communities.

Key research activities

Reassessment of current and emerging biomass conversion pathways within the context of Canada’s GHG emission targets and resource potential of unutilized municipal solid waste, agricultural and forestry residues.

Characterization and assessment of pyrolysis/gasification derived biocarbon from different feedstocks to evaluate biocarbon sequestration potential.

Pan-Canadian quantification of negative emissions potential of biocarbon to help Canada reach net zero in 2050.