The CTTÉI’s projects fall under four categories: development, applied research, technical support and information dissemination. 

Development projects are usually part of concerted regional efforts implemented by networks or organizations involved in industrial ecology and sustainable development. This is the case of the Technocentre project and the Bécancour Carrefour de valorisation des sous-produits industriels.

Applied research projects aim to develop new approaches to reclaim industrial waste, validate these approaches and then transfer the results to industries.

The goal of technical support projects is to assist businesses seeking to characterize and research solutions for better waste management. The multidisciplinary expertise of CTTÉI researchers helps the Centre efficiently meet client needs.

The objective of dissemination projects is two-fold: to raise industry awareness of industrial ecology and the best environmental practices and ensure that the mission and services of the CTTÉI are known. 

Below are projects on which the CTTÉI has recently collaborated.

Supercritical CO2 extraction of omega-3 from blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) production and processing waste in Québec

The mussel culture and processing industry in Québec generates considerable amounts of marine biomass whose landfilling constitutes a significant environmental and economic challenge. The project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of omega-3 concentrate extraction from the discarded mussels generated by the industry in Gaspé and set out optimal parameters. Supercritical CO2 extraction, a green chemistry technique, was selected to separate the lipid compounds without an organic solvent. Based on the performance and quality of the oil that is obtained, experts will assess the technology transfer potential that could allow the industry to generate a new economic activity from this problematic waste.

Feasibility of postconsumer polystyrene recovery and recycling

The CTTÉI was mandated to carry out a broad study to assess the technical and economic feasibility of postconsumer polystyrene collection and recycling in Québec. Funded by several public and private partners, including the Consortium de recherche en plasturgie et composites du Québec (CRPCQ), this large-scale project made it possible to compare sorting and depot centre collection options, determine the mechanical properties of recovered polystyrene and identify potential markets and cost-effective collection and reclamation options. Currently, most polystyrene is landfilled.

 

Industrial symbiosis

Three industrial symbiosis projects carried out with businesses in Rivière-du-Loup, Shawinigan and the greater Lanaudière area helped the CTTÉI refine its development approach and bring about more active corporate participation. The support of project leaders and communication activities to promote partner processes significantly contributed to the success of the initiatives. In fact, 26 synergies were created between the 90 businesses that took part in the Lanaudière project in only eight months, and some 100 additional contacts will be cemented in the short term. The objective of the projects is to create a network in which one company’s waste can become another’s raw material. Maximizing these exchanges on a specific territory optimizes and increases the sustainability of resource management strategies.

Strengthening the capacity for research

The funds allocated by the MDEIE to develop the CTTÉI’s research capacity aim to generate knowledge and expertise in environmentally-friendly materials. Tests were therefore carried out in CTTÉI laboratories to assess the characteristics of new concretes with high recycled content after the addition of elements such as metallurgical by-products, paints and perlite. The project also made it possible to produce lightweight aggregates. These new developments led the CTTÉI to contact several businesses that could market the products.

ICI ON RÉCUPÈRE! program

The Pierre-de Saurel regional county municipality (RCM) is working to incite the industries, businesses and institutions (IBI) on its territory to adopt best practices in waste management. In 2011, the RCM asked the CTTÉI to get involved in the ICI ON RÉCUPÈRE! program to support the IBI working to enhance their 3R-RD performances and obtain the ICI ON RECYCLE! waste management certification from RECYC-QUÉBEC.

Industrial sludge and effluents for CO2 sequestration

Capturing carbon dioxide as carbonate constitutes a new approach to reducing atmospheric CO2 and capitalizes on the ability of certain metals to bond with carbon dioxide and create a solid and stable compound in the environment. Most of the studies that mimic the natural process are focussed on mineral products (olivine, serpentine and wollastonite), but process optimization has led to international research into liquid-phase carbonation with solid industrial waste – which has the advantage of using less chemically-stable substances than silicates and is therefore more likely to react with the carbon dioxide. In addition, industrial waste is often generated near CO2 emissions sources and is less expensive than mining waste.

The CTTÉI has determined the strong potential of liquid and sludge waste to capture carbon dioxide. These types of waste are often difficult to recover because of their high water content. The project that is currently underway will make it possible to validate the effects of time, pH, CO2 concentration and additives on the carbonation capacity of various types of industrial waste with high water content.

Supercritical fluids

Extraction with supercritical CO2 relies on the solvation capacities of carbon dioxide at temperatures above 31 °C and pressures above 74 bars (or 1 036 psi). Supercritical CO2 posts a high diffusion coefficient, low viscosity, low chemical reactivity and significant apolar compound solvation. Applying supercritical fluid technologies to industrial waste management is a new and effective alternative that should be increasingly used by businesses and industries seeking to implement greener waste management processes and curb their environmental impacts. A research project was conducted to validate the technical feasibility of this technology for various materials that are currently landfilled or otherwise disposed of for lack of treatment options, including ethylene glycol solutions, granular absorbents contaminated with oil and textiles contaminated with oils and grease.

Waste management diagnostics

Six waste management diagnoses were conducted on different territories. The information gathered through telephone surveys and online questionnaires distributed on each territory helped determine ways of improving the waste management practices of the businesses involved and the support required to implement best practices. Synergies, sharing and substitutions to enhance the sectoral dynamic were established in an effort to create territorial industrial symbioses in the upcoming project phases. 

Recycling unserviceable vehicle components

The CTTÉI took part in a project to determine an economically-viable way of dismantling unserviceable vehicles based on market opportunities and options for the components. To do so, twenty vehicles were dismantled by recyclers and dismantlers, and the economic value of the material that was recovered was assessed according to potential future uses.

 

 

Development of semi-artificial bait from industrial waste for lobstering

Lobstering requires bait to lure the crustaceans into the traps. Lobstermen often use whole fish, which are increasingly meant for human consumption and whose numbers are decreasing around the world as bait prices rise. Traditional methods make lobstering less cost-effective and less socially acceptable than before, and Halieutec and the CTTÉI are currently collaborating on the development of semi-artificial bait made from 100% recycled materials (attractants mixed with an insoluble polymeric matrix) with a longer service life than the natural alternatives.

 

By-product synergy - Examples

Development of a non-corrosive and biodegradable ice control product

A non-corrosive and biodegradable ice control product is currently being developed. With the financial support of four steel mills and a residue and dross recovery unit, the technical feasibility of the project was proven when tested in the laboratory.

Development of a process to recycle soiled expanded polystyrene

A process to recycle soiled expanded polystyrene was developed by the CTTÉI and the CEPROCQ (Centre d’étude des procédés chimiques du Québec). After placing the polystyrene in a solvent solution, the solvent and dirt is extracted and the remaining polystyrene can then be recycled. The advantage of this process is that it maximizes product transport.

Brominated flame retardants extraction from computer plastics

The CTTÉI has demonstrated the feasibility of a process to extract the brominated flame retardants from computer plastics, which can then be recycled, avoiding landfilling. The Centre also worked towards creating a database to quickly determine the flame retardants and their plastics using infrared spectrometry to facilitate sorting during recovery.

The CTTÉI has developed a sealer from solid latex paint waste. After site trials, the client began a production line. The technology transfer has since been completed.

Sandblasting sand performance testing

Tailings were reclaimed to make a sandblasting sand whose technical, environmental and sanitary performances were then compared to those of other sands. The product reduces the risk of silicosis in users thanks to its low rates of free silica and was therefore quickly approved by government bodies and marketed.

Tailing were again reclaimed to filter pool water. The filtration capacities of the tailings were compared to those of comparable products. The results were conclusive and the product was marketed.