BPI Seminar by Dr. Sunkyu Park

Scaling Up Biocrude Derived Anode Material (BDAM)

Location: CHBE #202, 2360 East Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4

Agenda

• 12:45 PM  Introduction by Prof. Orlando Rojas
• 12:48 PM  Presentation by Prof. Sunkyu Park, Jordan Family Distinguished Professor, Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University
• 1:30 PM   Q&A

*Note this seminar is scheduled back-to-back with Prof. Hiroshi Kamitakahara's Seminar at 12 PM, and Prof. Liyang Liu's Seminar at 2 PM. 

Abstract

Prof. Sunkyu Park is engaged in various research areas, including (a) Biographite Production, (b) Decarbonization of the Pulp and Paper (P&P) Industry, (c) Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production, and (d) Cellulose Derivatives, as depicted below. 

This presentation will primarily focus on the BDAM project (“Scaling Up Biocrude Derived Anode Material”), which aims to produce graphite for anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) with support from the US DOE-BETO. The main goal of this project is to scale up the key process (i.e., delayed coking) for converting biocrude pyrolysis oil into high-quality graphite. Lab-scale experiments have demonstrated that a fraction of biocrude oils from the fast pyrolysis of woody biomass can be converted into graphite that performs comparably to commercial LIB anode materials. The remaining biocrude is preferable for biofuels production. This project aims to reduce commercialization risks by scaling the initial critical carbonization process, known as the "delayed coker," which is commonly used in petroleum refineries. Experimental data collected during this project will inform the design, construction, and operation of a pilot-scale delayed coker. The performance of the graphite in LIBs will be evaluated alongside techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) to identify and improve the specific process steps that have the greatest impact on costs and sustainability. 

Additionally, Prof. Park will provide an overview of the P&P decarbonization projects funded by US DOE-IEDO. This will include a process analysis, decarbonization strategies, and future technology developments for the P&P industry.

About the Speaker

Sunkyu Park is a Jordan Family Distinguished Professor and University Faculty Scholar at the Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University. Before joining NCSU in 2009 as a faculty member, he received his Ph.D. in the same department, followed by postdoctoral training at DOE-NREL. His department is dedicated to Pulp and Paper education, and he teaches process simulation for Pulp and Paper, and Biorefinery operation. His research covers a broad spectrum of biorefinery development to produce biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials from lignocellulosic biomass, funded mainly by US Department of Energy (DOE). He has over 130 publications and is currently working on 7 DOE projects and 4 of them as a lead PI. 

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