Nathan Basiliko

Key Research Areas
Associated Researchers
Associated Organizations

Recent Research Projects

Fundamental studies of drying, combustion and ash properties of biomass and impacts of pulp and paper mill operations

2012/13-2015/16 • $1,876,000 • PI,CO
Pulp and paper mills in Canada require large amounts of high pressure steam and electric power to operate. About two-thirds of the energy required is supplied by burning the concentrated black liquor (spent pulping liquor) in recovery boilers. The remaining is from biomass boilers, known...

Biomass harvests in boreal forests: minimizing environmental impacts and maximizing benefits

2012/13-2014/15 • $620,761 • PI,CO
Biomass harvesting for biofuels has become an important activity for Canada's forestry economy. However, it remains uncertain how biomass harvesting and forest renewal can best maintain and support biodiversity and ecosystem functions while maintaining site productivity and promoting stand...

An integrated multi-trophic assessment of the impact of biomass harvesting on forest sustainability

2012/13-2014/15 • $121,740 • PI,CO
The forest bioenergy sector is developing rapidly across Canada, and harvesting residues are emerging as an important source of industrial feedstock. The bioenergy sector has the potential for many social and economic benefits, including new and diversified markets and renewable sources of...

Biochar as a soil amendment in northern forests: ecology, biogeochemistry, and bioenergy tradeoffs

2011/12-2013/14 • $549,800 • PI,CO
Biochar-bioenergy systems have recently been heralded as one of the few technologies with substantial promise not only to reduce fossil fuel usage, but also to directly mitigate anthropogenic climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration. While promising, research on biochar-bioenergy systems...

Intensifying forest biomass utilization for energy production

2010/11-2012/13 • $161,429 • PI,CO
This project will assess the feasibility of using locally-sourced wood (including unmerchantable wood and mill residues) to cogenerate heat and power in small gasification plants. We will employ remote sensing and harvesting trials to quantify the harvestable volume of unmerchantable wood at...

Multi-gas surface area and pore size analysis system for characterization of micro- and nano-porosity of biochar and other biomaterials

2012/13 • $37,100 • PI,CO
This proposal requests funds for the purchase of a state-of-the-art system for characterization of surface area and pore size characteristics of biomaterials. Three major research groups will use this instrument: a primary group focused on applications to pyrolyzed biomass ("biochar"), a second...

The soil microbial role in northern forests and peatlands

2010/11-2011/12 • $43,020 • PI
Northern forests and peatlands are exceptionally important in part because they store vast amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide as organic matter in soils, exchange methane with the atmosphere, and support forestry and peat natural resource industries. Canada is the world's largest exporter of...

Patents