Research projects in FORIC
Research projects 2018
Cellulose based films as barrier material
PhD student
Malin From Nouryon
Description
The wood fiber contains the polymer cellulose (long molecular chain). If cellulose molecules are dissolved and regenerated the resulting film is quite similar to traditional plastic, but the raw material is bio based and renewable. The molecular chain can be modified with different side groups which will result in different properties in the regenerated film, for example can the material go from brittle to elastic, and from a material that acts as a gas membrane to one that can hold gas for a long time. With some modifications cellulose could most likely replace traditional plastic in the application it is used for today.
The objective of the PhD project is to understand how cellulose is dissolved and regenerated into films and how that influences the mechanical and barrier properties, it is also to know how to tailor cellulose molecules with different side groups to receive the desired properties of the films. What furthermore is interesting is how the properties alter with an elevated temperature, as not all traditional plastic are used in room temperature, so that will be included in the project as well. This will be achieved with small scale laboratory work to manufacture cellulose films and with small scale characterization at Mid Sweden University.
A film of pure cellulose placed over a pen, the film is transparent and slightly bendable.
Co-production
AkzoNobel
Supervisors
Prof. Håkan Edlund
Prof. Magnus Norgren
Dr. Ida Svanedal
New use of bio sludge from pulp and paper industry
PhD Student
Robert Norgren, Ragn-Sells AB
Description
Develop method to use sludge as fertilizer for energy crops and utilize these to clean soiled land. The project will start with LCA-studies.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentitate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on biomaterials and bioenergy.
Adjunct Supervisor
Olof Björkqvist
Methane measurement system and analysis
PhD Student
Bakram Gaynullin, SenseAir AB
Description
The project focus on the development of low cost measurement systems for detection of greenhouse gases, such as methane, from ground emission and storage of bio sludge.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on optical measurement systems.
Main Supervisor
Göran Thungström
Adjunct Supervisor
Claes Mattsson
Microbial fatty acid for HVO diesel
PhD Student
Shiromini Gamage Colabitoil
Description
Objective to develop a bio catalytic process for the microbial fatty acid production that suitable for HVO diesel and optimize efficient and economic method of extraction & separation of fatty acids for industrial scale application.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meeting with focus on catalytic processes in renewable diesel production and separation/ extraction methods of organic molecules.
Main Supervisor
Prof. Erik Hedenström
Adjunct Supervisors
Erika Wallin
Feixiang Long
Development of strong and water resistant packaging materials from high yield pulps
PhD Student
Tove Joelsson MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB
Description
As paper materials are biologically degradable and wood fibre resources are renewable compared to plastics, there is no doubt that the change to paper based materials is important. This is the reason for making efforts in research and development, with the objective to optimize physical properties such as dry and wet strength of wood fibre based materials to match the expectations for packaging materials and bags.
This work is focused on hot-pressing technique that has shown positive effects on strength properties for paper sheets based on lignin-rich pulp. The main issues in my study are fundamental aspects on the densification, comparing pulp qualities and optimizing conditions and materials.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on mechanical pulp and papermaking processes, and on chemical and physical properties on paper based packaging materials.
This project is financially supported by Kempe Foundation, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB Sandvik Process Systems and the Swedish Knowledge Foundation, Mid Sweden University.
Main Supervisor
Prof. Per Engstrand, FSCN
Adjunct Supervisor
Dr. Gunilla Pettersson FSCN and Anna Svedberg, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB
Forestry supply chains
PhD Student
Johanna Enström Skogforsk
Description
Developing methods and models to describe and analyze supply chain strategies within the forestry supply chain with focus on energy products.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on forestry supply chains.
Main Supervisor
Aron Larsson
Adjunct Supervisor
Leif Olsson
Industrial adapted production of different types of nanocellulose materials optimized for increased strength for packaging- and printed paper
PhD Student
Licentiate Tommy Nordin MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB
Description
One of the potential applications of MFC, CNC and NFC in large volume is to use it as strength additives in paper and paperboard products that in most cases consist of mixtures of mechanical and chemical pulps. Nanocellulose can be used to improve the quality and performance of a broad array of paper and board materials, coatings and films, as well as nano-composite materials. MFC, CNC and NFC can be used as follows in papermaking applications; as strength additives, to enhance barrier properties in food packaging, to improved paper gloss, to reduce paper grammage and to enable smart packaging.
A major purpose of the project is to significantly lower the manufacturing costs and to facilitate the use of layer-by-layer technology by replacing the relatively expensive anionic component CMC (carboxymethylcellulose) with nanocellulose. To succeed, an industry-friendly system for cost-effective production of NFC (nanofibrillated cellulose), NLC (nanolignocellulose) and/or CNC (crystalline nanocellulose) must be developed. The idea of this project is to develop this type of system through optimization of fractionation and filtration systems where industrially available fine material fractions from pulp and paper manufacturing processes are tested.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on nano-materials.
This project is financially supported by Kempe Foundation, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB and the Swedish Knowledge Foundation, Mid Sweden University
Main Supervisor
Prof. Per Engstrand FSCN
Adjunct Supervisor
Dr. Sven Norgren, FSCN and Anna Svedberg, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB
Develop tools and models for sustainable forest supply chains
PhD Student
Anna Thorning Norrskog
Description
Develop tools and models for sustainable forest supply chains with focus on non-industrial private forest owners.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on sustainability and forest economics.
Main Supervisor
Yvonne von Friedrichs
Adjunct Supervisor
Peter Öhman
ECF/TCF bleaching for the production of softwood tissue paper
PhD Student
Sara Starrsjö SCA R&D Centre
Description
It is well known that the bleachability of a certain bleaching stage depends on the prehistory of the pulp. It is assumed that this is due to the difference in composition and structure of the lignin and/or carbohydrates present in the pulp. However, the knowledge about which structures provides a good bleachability is limited. This work attempts to bring clarity to this field by examining softwood kraft pulps of different origins, in regards to charged structures.
When SCA during 2018 double the production of bleached softwood Kraft pulp at Östrand pulp mill, a new bleaching plant will be implemented, allowing for both ECF light and TCF bleaching. It is of great importance that these sequences are accurately optimized and understood, in order to minimize environmental impact, cost and assure high pulp quality.
Main Supervisor
Prof. Per Engstrand, FSCN
Adjunct Supervisor
Prof. Mikael Lindström, KTH
Dr. Olena Sevastyanova, KTH
Peter Sandström, SCA
Domsjö Fabriker
PhD Student
Magnus Hörnsten, Additya Birla Domsjö Fabriker
Description
xx
Co-production
xx
Main Supervisor
Håkan Edlund
Adjunct Supervisor
Magnus Norgren
Per Engstrand
Research projects 2015
Fibrillar chemical pulp fines to enhance paper board strength
PhD Student
Elisabeth Björk, Innventia
Description
Develop techniques to enhance stiffnes in paperboard via improved adhesion between CTMP fibres with for the purpose optimized fines from kraft.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisor
Myat Htun
Value creating and efficiency in wood supply chains
PhD Student
Magnus Larsson, Skogforsk / Stiftelsen Skogsbrukets forskningsfond
Description
Objective to demonstrate how we can optimize the wood supply system when considering both modern saw mills and future biorefineries.
Co-production
Company employs student with Licentiate degree that finalize with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on forest to mill site logistics and business economy aspects.
Main Supervisor
Leif Olsson
Adjunct Supervisor
Matti Stendahl, SLU
Anders Roos, SLU
Holmen
PhD Student
Christer Sandberg Holmen
Johan Sund Holmen Paper Hallstavik
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Connecting high yield pulp properties with functional product properties
PhD Student
Olof Ferritsius, Stora Enso/Mid Sweden University FSCN
Description
Develop robust tools to predict paper product properties mainly based on dimensional pulp data.
Co-production
Company is co-finance MIUN research finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on efficiency and fibre quality.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisor
Birgitta Engberg
Integrated energy solutions
PhD Student
Anna-Karin Stengard, Sundsvall Energi AB
Description
Develop a methodology to optimize the integration of municipal and industrial energy systems taking technical as well as organizational aspects into account.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on biorefinery based energy systems aspects.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisor
Olof Björkqvist
Technical and economical systems modelling of a mechanical pulping based bio-refinery
PhD Student
Alexander Hedlund, Frontway AB, SME, IT Company Service provider to forest industry
Description
Objective to develop a general systems methodology that can be used as decision support for optimizing the design and operation of a bio-refinery based on high-yield pulp paper and paperboard systems.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on modelling.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisors
Olof Björkqvist
Aron Larsson
Leif Olsson
Improved fines material control
PhD Student
Mathias Lundberg, PulpEye AB
Description
Develop optical methods based on crill analysis for high yield pulp (HYP) to better understand and control relevant final product properties.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on on-line techniques of nanomaterial measurements.
Main Supervisor
Håkan Edlund
Adjunct Supervisor
Magnus Norgren
Per Engstrand
Wood preservative treatment and modification techniques: Identification, evaluation and assessment of barriers and key success factors for large-scale commercialization
PhD Student
Jonas Johansson, SCA Timber AB
Description
Utilize existing knowledge on wood preservative treatment and modification techniques to achieve improvements of decay resistance, dimensional stability, hardness and fire protection of sawn wood products. The project will try to assess potential customer needs and customer segments as well as barriers and key success factors for large scale commercialization.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on on-line techniques of nanomaterial recycling aspects.
Main Supervisor
Leif Olsson
Adjunct Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Modified fibre process for improved final product properties
Ph D Student
Hafizur Rahman SCA Forest Products AB, SCA R&D Centre
Description
Modify or optimize the kraft pulping process to produce more refining energy efficient fibres at final functional product properties.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on process technologies.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisor
Mikael Lindström, KTH
Industrially feasible methods for production of nanocellulose from chemical pulps
PhD Student
Carl Moser, Valmet AB
Description
Develop industrially feasible techniques for production of nano-cellulose materials. Very promising results from MSc work at KTH will be further developed and tested in larger scale.
Co-production
Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on processes for nano-materials. Also KTH is involved with supervision and idea to approach.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisor
Louise Logenius
Mikael Lindström, KTH
Cost-effective nanolignocellulose as substitute for CMC in multi-layer fibre applications
PhD Student
Sinke Henshaw Osong, MoRe Research / Mid Sweden University FSCN
Description
Objective to optimize the production of NLC (Nanolignocellulose) based of mechanical pulp reject fractions, to improve the strength properties of paper and board products.
Co-production
Company co-finance student finalizing with PhD exam, starting from Licentiate. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on nanomaterials.
Main Supervisor
Per Engstrand
Adjunct Supervisor
Sven Norgren
