Zoé Périn-Levasseur - Forest biorefinery
Name: Zoé Périn-Levasseur
Field of expertise: Forest biorefinery, energy efficiency / process integration
Education: Ph.D. in Energy, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
Works at: CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada, Varennes, Quebec
What she studies
Dr. Périn-Levasseur is interested in the implementation of biorefinery technologies in pulp and paper mills. Biorefinery involves a series of successive operations that pre-process and transform biomass into a variety of commercial chemical products. Dr. Périn-Levasseur’s studies are focused on the transformation of residual lignocellulosic materials (including compounds derived from forestry products) into bioproducts such as carbon fibres, resins used as glue in pressed wood panels, and biofuels. She identifies the most suitable biorefinery technologies for the mills and evaluates how they are integrated through the optimal use of biomass, thermal energy, water and chemical reactants available on site.
What is the importance of her research?
Dr. Périn-Levasseur’s research is leading to the development of tools used to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of biorefinery integration. Her research will also help pulp and paper mills select the best biorefinery technology and give them access to a variety of bioproducts adapted to each mill. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the revitalization of the pulp and paper industry by enabling the mills to penetrate new bioproducts markets, while remaining competitive on the traditional pulp and paper market.
Interesting fact
Dr. Périn-Levasseur and her team recently completed a cost-benefit analysis of the implementation of a process to recover lignin from black liquor (chemical energy residue derived from the pulping of wood). They demonstrated the economic and environmental viability of this process for a Canadian Kraft pulp mill. Their findings will allow the mill to improve operation of its recovery boiler and increase its production capacity while producing pure lignin that is ready to be processed into bioproducts.
Current research project
Integrated forest biorefinery: Optimal retrofit strategies for Canadian Kraft mills
Key publications
Périn-Levasseur, Z., Savulescu, L. and Benali, M. (2011). Lignin Production and Processing Path Assessment: Energy, Water and Chemical Integration Perspective, Journal of Science and Technology for Forest Products and Processes, Vol. 1 (3): 25-30 Document presented at the 2011 PAPTAC Conference, Montreal, Canada.
Périn-Levasseur, Z., Maréchal, F., Paris, J. (2010). Analysis of a biorefinery integration in a bisulphite pulp process (PDF, 249 KB), Pulp and Paper Canada, Vol. 111 (3): T49-T51. Document presented at the 2009 PAPTAC Conference, Montreal, Canada.
Périn-Levasseur, Z., Benali, M., Paris, J., (2010). Lignin extraction technology in a Kraft pulp mill, in Favrat, D., Maréchal, F. (Ed.) ECOS 2010 - Volume II: Biomass and Renewable (p. 11-18). Lausanne.
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