By Staff
With a new federal funding award of $4.8 million, the University of Maine said last week it will step up research into the use of forest waste materials for renewable fuel, heating oil and biologically derived products.
The funding from the Defense Logistics Agency will allow the UMaine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute to upgrade its facilities, and to support ongoing investigations, according to a news release.
The center plans to begin adding and expanding its infrastructure by the middle of this year.
“It’s a significant upgrade in our pilot-scale infrastructure,” said Hemant Pendse, the institute’s director. “This significant investment will allow us to rapidly advance development in several major areas of ongoing research.”
The Synthetic Crude Oil Pilot Plant (SynCOPP) designed for continuous production for 100 kilograms per day TDO oil. SynCOPP uses mixed-acids derived from sawdust processed in a companion Biomass to Bioproducts Pilot Plant at 1 ton per day feeding capacity. Photo by Amy Luce
$4.8M will upgrade Forest Bioproducts Research Institute facilities, bolster bioproduct research
The University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) will upgrade its Technology Research Center (TRC) in Old Town and Process Development Center (PDC) in Jenness Hall to bolster ongoing efforts to create new bioproducts, increase production and find uses for woody biomass materials typically considered waste.