Western ushers in new era of biofuels research
Monday, November 16, 2009
The University of Western Ontario opened
a new $5-million biofuel facility October 16 and unveiled the first sale of a university developed farm harvester that turns agricultural byproducts into a material for
creating fuels, chemicals and fertilizers.
John Milloy, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation, led the official opening of the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR), located at Western’s Experimental Research Farm on Wonderland Road north of London.
“There’s enormous global demand for sustainable biofuels and Ontario is in a strong position to seize this opportunity,” says Milloy.
Nearly 100 members of the farming community, industry, government, academics and politicians were on hand to open facilities designed to test the next generation biofuel technologies being developed by Western researchers.
John Milloy, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation, led the official opening of the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR), located at Western’s Experimental Research Farm on Wonderland Road north of London.
“There’s enormous global demand for sustainable biofuels and Ontario is in a strong position to seize this opportunity,” says Milloy.
Nearly 100 members of the farming community, industry, government, academics and politicians were on hand to open facilities designed to test the next generation biofuel technologies being developed by Western researchers.
WORLDiscoveries Executive Director Paul Paolatto announced the sale of the first Agritherm mobile pyrolisis unit to the government of Mexico, though the University of Vera Cruz, for $1 million. WORLDiscoveries is the business development office for the university, Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute.
The portable unit can be hauled from one farm field to the next to process waste such as corn husks into a solid bio-char and bio-oil.This material then becomes an eco-friendly ingredient in fertilizers, fuels and chemicals, including environmentally friendly insecticides and pesticides.
The patented, mobile pyrolysis unit has been undergoing testing and revisions for the past several years. Pyrolysis uses heat to break down complex chemical substances into simpler substances.
ICF AR is also expected to house two new energy-related research chairs and provide workspace for visiting scientists and students from Canada and abroad.
The new research facility, led by Engineering professors Franco Berruti and Cedric Briens, will help place Ontario at the forefront of global biofuel research.
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