Room: Poster Area
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 16:15 - 17:15 CEST
Session code 6CV.7
Biopolymers and bioplastics
Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Cellulose Nanocrystal Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass via Sulfuric Acid Hydrolysis
Short Introductive summary
The production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from lignocellulosic biomass represents a promising pathway toward developing renewable, high-value nanomaterials and advancing sustainable bioproduct manufacturing. Despite their potential, large-scale CNC production remains constrained by high energy requirements and intensive chemical use. This study aims to assess the techno-economic and environmental performance of CNC production via sulfuric acid hydrolysis, providing insights to support the design of efficient and sustainable biomaterial manufacturing processes. A comprehensive process model was developed in Aspen Plus to simulate industrial-scale CNC production from lignocellulosic (forest biomass) feedstock. The model captures all major stages, including biomass pretreatment, hydrolysis, separation, and purification. The analysis focuses on quantifying material and energy balances and evaluating the impact of process configuration and feedstock cost on overall system performance. Scenario and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to identify process bottlenecks and explore opportunities for energy integration and resource optimization.
Presenter
Oluwadamilare OGUNJIMI
University of Alberta, Mechanical Engineering Dpt., CANADA
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
P. Rosha, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CANADA
A. Kumar, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CANADA
Session reference: 6CV.7.2