Forest Bioproducts Research Institute

Faculty & Staff - Peter Van Walsum

My Research

I am developing new unit operations that will produce value-added products in parallel with existing wood fiber processing industries, such as the paper and composite wood industries. Current efforts are directed at bioconversion of wood-derived hemicellulose extracts. Investigations include: hydrolysis, fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and recovery of organic acids. Process modeling based on laboratory and pilot findings will be applied to identify optimal process configurations.

In Other Words

Currently the forest products industry generates electricity by burning wood wastes and residues. We believe that greater benefits can be derived by extracting valuable products from these wastes before burning them. We are investigating fermentation, similar to the production of beer or wine, though it is much more difficult to do with wood-derived materials than grain or grapes.

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My Publications

Contact Information

5737 Jenness Hall, Room 311
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
tel: (207) 581-2226
E-mail: pvanwalsum@umche.umaine.edu

Image Description: Peter van Walsum

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