S.G. MacKay, C. Walker, A. Buzzelli, D. Coughlin
University of Maine,
United States
Keywords: technoeconomic analysis, CNF, refined cellulose
Summary:
The University of Maine (UMaine) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have collaborated since 2019 on the development of bio-based materials for large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) using thermoplastic resins reinforced with nanocellulose and biomass from the agricultural and forest products industries. The growing impact of this program, known as SM2ART, has been realized through multiple successful outcomes including a >50% reduction in the energy required to dry cellulose nanofibrils (CNF); a >40% increase in composite strength when reinforced by surface modified nanocellulose; the successful production of the world’s first 100% biobased 3D printed house (BioHome3D), and >30 industrial collaborations focused on commercialization of biobased materials and applications of large area AM with US and Maine-based commercial partners. These successes reduce the impact of manufacturing on the environment, and help to move rural, US-based manufacturing towards an economically and environmentally sustainable future. In the past two years the SM2ART program has worked to scale up various CNF drying and processing technologies to increase industry adoption of refined cellulose functional additive products by reducing the production and drying costs associated with this material. A technoeconomical analysis has been performed to help determine the commercial viability of these methods to produce material at specific industry price points as well as to aid in the selection of a potential site for a CNF production facility. Results will be shown for a refined cellulose functional additive product at various % solids using one of more of the scaled up dewatering processes comparing the production cost at different sites where access to and cost of raw materials, transportation, energy, and workforce will be taken into consideration. Initial conclusions will be shown on the viability of producing different refined cellulose products at each of the identified potential sites, both slurries (20-30% solids) and dry (>95% solids) forms.