Meet our Scientists

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, 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.

Name: Fernando Preto
Field of expertise: Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass
Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University at Kingston
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY laboratories in Ottawa, Ontario

What he studies

Dr. Preto works on developing new and improved technologies to make biomass a sustainable, efficient and clean source of energy. His research is focused on thermochemical or heat-associated chemical processes, namely: combustion, gasification, pyrolysis and torrefaction. These processes vary the time, temperature and pressure of biomass conversion to produce energy and/or gaseous, liquid or solid biofuels.

What is the importance of his research?

Dr. Preto’s research supports Canadian industry in the development of clean renewable energy sources. The work being accomplished with regards to bioenergy and bioproducts (fuels and chemicals) is crucial for the revitalization of the forest industry in Canada. It is widely recognized that the industry needs to diversify its activities and that advanced bioenergy and bioproducts will be key sectors in achieving that transformation.

Interesting fact

Until the mid-19th century biomass, the biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms, was the primary raw material for most of the products used in all human activities: food, feed, energy, clothes, materials, chemicals, medicines. Current research is developing the modern-day equivalent, which will ensure that biomass is used in a clean and sustainable manner.

Current research project

Fernando’s team is currently addressing technical gaps related to the conversion of forestry residues to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) via gasification, syngas cleaning and syngas conversion. The biomass-derived “Green” RNG would then be suitable for distribution through the existing natural gas grid infrastructure.

Key publications

Hurley S., Xu C., Preto F., Shao Y., Li H., Wang J., Tourigny G. (2012). Catalytic gasification of woody biomass in an air-blown fluidized-bed reactor using Canadian limonite iron ore as the bed material. Fuel, 91(1), 170-6.

McKenney DW, Yemshanov D, Fraleigh S, Allen D, Preto F. (2011). An economic assessment of the use of short-rotation coppice woody biomass to heat greenhouses in southern Canada. Biomass Bioenergy, 35(1), 374-84.

Preto F., Zhang X., Wang J. (2008). Gasification behavior of carbon residue in bed solids of black liquor gasifier. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science Journal, 32(7), 1421-8.

Please note that the preceding links are provided for readers' convenience. Where NRCan does not hold the copyright, there may be a cost for downloading or purchasing the material.

Name: Richard Turcotte
Field of expertise: Safety and Security of Energetic Materials
Education: Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, McGill University
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory in Ottawa, Ontario

What he studies

Dr. Turcotte uses thermal analysis techniques and various other experimental techniques to characterize the thermal decomposition, combustion, and detonation properties of energetic materials such as mining and military explosives, propellants for ammunition, and pyrotechnics for fireworks. His research also includes the development of new testing protocols for explosives and other unstable substances.

What is the importance of his research?

Dr. Turcotte’s research is aimed at improving worker safety in the client industries (such as the commercial explosive industry or the chemical industry) and reducing the threat to the public from explosives and other energetic substances. These research results also help industry translate their ideas safely into commercial products and processes. Safety and security-related research is also performed to support new government regulations and policies.

Interesting fact

The scale of modern mining operations now requires that very high volumes of commercial explosives be handled. This is achieved by the use of ammonium nitrate-based emulsion explosives, which are delivered using powerful pumping systems at mining sites. Recent research work led by Dr. Turcotte was aimed improving safety for such operations.

Current research project

Dr. Turcotte currently leads various safety related joint research projects with the world’s largest commercial explosives manufacturers. In one particular project, instrumented pumps and mixers being used to manufacture and deliver emulsion explosives are being run to destruction under various abnormal scenarios in order to define the hazards they might represent.

Key publications

Badeen, C., Turcotte, R. Hobenshield, E., Berretta, S. (2011). Thermal Hazard Assessment of Nitrobenzene/Dinitrobenzene Mixtures. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 188, 52 - 57.

Turcotte, R., Goldthorp, S., Badeen, C.M., Feng, H., Chan, S.K. (2010). Influence of Physical Characteristics and Ingredients on the Minimum Burning Pressure of Ammonium Nitrate Emulsions. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 35, 233 - 239.

Turcotte, R., Goldthorp, S., Badeen, C., Chan S.K. (2008). Hot-wire Ignition of AN-based Emulsions. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 33, 472 - 481.

Please note that the preceding links are provided for readers' convenience. Where NRCan does not hold the copyright, there may be a cost for downloading or purchasing the material.

Name:  Kara Webster
Field of Expertise: Soil biogeochemistry
Education: Ph.D. in Biology and Environmental Science, University of Western Ontario
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Great Lakes Forestry Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

What she studies

Kara is interested in understanding how soil works to support natural forests, and how forest management and climate change impact the key ecosystem services they provide (e.g., water storage and carbon sequestration). She does this by combining field monitoring, empirical and ecosystem modelling, and GIS mapping to investigate soil processes across various spatial scales.

What is the importance of her research?

Kara’s research will provide knowledge to better understand the role of soils as an ecological indicator of productive forests. In particular, her work addresses the uncertainties of soil dynamics (e.g., decomposition, nutrient cycling) to inter-annual variability in weather conditions, climate change and the impact of forest management. This knowledge will be used to improve policies for forest sustainability and carbon management in a changing climate.

Current research projects

Mapping critical source areas in forests on complex terrain (Forest Ecosystem Integrity and Dynamics: Turkey Lakes Watershed). The impact of silviculture methods such as biomass removal for bioenergy production on soil microbial function and nutrient cycling (Bioenergy: Chapleau jack pine biomass trial). Carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas production of boreal wetlands and permafrost peatlands (Carbon: White River, Hudson Plain).

Interesting fact

The soil beneath our feet breathes as a result of the metabolism of millions of micro-organisms such as fungi and bacteria as they recycle the dead organic matter that accumulates in forests. This “heterotrophic” respiration offsets the carbon dioxide fixed by trees and vegetation through photosynthesis and is very sensitive to changing temperature and moisture conditions. Because of this sensitivity, the magnitude of microbial respiration within the soil is important in determining how much carbon dioxide our forests can store.

Key publications:

Webster, K.L., Creed, I.F., Beall, F.D., Bourbonniere, R.A. (2011). A topographic template for estimating soil carbon pools in forested catchments. Geoderma, 160, 457 - 467.

Webster, K.L., McLaughlin, J.W. (2010). Importance of the water table in controlling dissolved carbon along a fen nutrient gradient. Soil Science Society of America, 74, 2254 - 2266.

Webster, K.L., Creed, I.F., Beall, F.D., Bourbonniere, R.A. (2008). Sensitivity of catchment-aggregated estimates of soil carbon dioxide efflux to topography under different climatic conditions. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, 1 - 14.

Please note that the preceding links are provided for readers' convenience. Where NRCan does not hold the copyright, there may be a cost for downloading or purchasing the material.

Name:  Stephen Grasby
Field of Expertise: Geochemistry
Education: Ph.D. in Low Temperature Aqueous Geochemistry, University of Calgary
Works at: Natural Resources Canada’s Geological Survey of Canada in Calgary, Alberta

What he studies

Dr. Grasby studies natural factors that control the geochemistry of groundwater, including potable waters, brines associated with petroleum development, and geothermal waters.  Dr. Grasby and his team also study the geochemistry of shale that forms petroleum source rocks.

What is the importance of his research?

Sustainable energy usage requires minimizing impacts of energy development on the environment.  Knowledge of natural controls on water geochemistry helps to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic impacts of groundwater systems to trace potential sources of contaminants. Similarly, this knowledge can be used to develop methods to limit impacts and to explore new forms of renewable energy such as geothermal power.

Interesting fact

A recent discovery determined that 252 million years ago, volcanoes caused significant combustion of coal.  The ash produced has been found in ancient rocks and appears to be related to the greatest extinction in Earth history, when over 90% of marine life became extinct.

Current research projects

Geothermal energy potential in Canada; Groundwater Resources of the Nanaimo Lowlands.

Key publications

Grasby, S.E., H. Sanei, and B. Beauchamp, (2011). Catastrophic dispersion of coal fly ash into oceans during the latest Permian extinction. Nature Geoscience, 4, 104-107.

Grasby, S.E., J. Osborn, Z. Chen, and P. Wozniak, (2010). Influence of till provenance on regional groundwater geochemistry. Chemical Geology, 273, 225-237.

Majorowicz, J. and S.E. Grasby, (2010). High potential regions for enhanced geothermal systems in Canada. Natural Resources Research, 19, 177-188.

Please note that the preceding links are provided for readers' convenience. Where NRCan does not hold the copyright, there may be a cost for downloading or purchasing the material.