La Tuque Project - Repurpose of pyrolytic oils based on forest residues into renewable bitumens

The La Tuque bio-refinery project aims to repurpose the residue from logging operations in Haut-Saint-Maurice into renewable, “drop-in”-type biofuels. Pyrolysis uses energy densification technology to reduce the costs of transporting biomass to the refinery. In order to reduce the technical and economic risks of the project, other diversification options have been considered, especially in recycling pyrolytic oils into high added-value co-products. One of the objectives of the action plan is to make La Tuque energetically independent. Another objective is to manufacture co-products that are usable either locally or that can be sold outside of the region. An in-depth study of the full potential of pyrolytic oils as a source of products to substitute fossil fuels in asphalt is a key step in recycling local biomass. Pyrolysis is the thermochemical decomposition in the absence (or near-absence) of oxygen, producing solid residue (biochar), condensable gases (bio-oils) and synthetic gas. We have a pilot pyrolyzer that can be used to produce two types of moisture-free pyrolytic oils (an innovative aspect of our technology), a light fraction (low viscosity: approx.. 50 cSt at 25°C) and heavy fraction (high viscosity: approx.. 4,000 cSt at 40°C). The technological risks are related to the operational conditions required to manufacture these types of oils, their stability over time and the properties of blended oils depending on their potential value and final use. To do this, tests performed with our new mobile pyrolysis unite will help to meet the following objectives:

1. Produce pyrolytic oils that have the characteristics desired to be used as substitute products in asphalt;

2. Produce pyrolytic oils with high and low viscosity, then as blends, analyzing how they age and studying their stability over time. Adequate measurement of their properties (viscosity, pH, flashpoint) for the usages mentioned above;

3. Optimize the operating conditions of the pyroylzer to develop economical methods of stabilizing various fractions of pyrolytic oils, in particular heavy fractions (high viscosity) and light fractions (low viscosity;

4. Modify the pyrolytic oils chemically to adapt them to various types of asphalt;

5. Preliminary trials (production) with our partners.15 en bas.