Investigation and development of green processes to valorize shellfish residues for applications in aquaculture feed and biomaterials
Principle Investigator
Dr. Kelly Hawboldt, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Department of Process Engineering
Email: khawboldt@mun.ca
Website: https://www.mun.ca/engineering/about/people/kellyhawboldt.php
NRC Collaborator
Zied Khiari, PhD, PEng, Research Officer, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development
Project description
Residues from shellfish processing can account for 30-70% of harvested material depending on the species. This not only represents a significant disposal cost (both economically and environmentally) but also a loss of profit in value added product. Traditional processes that could be used to extract these products are problematic due to; use of toxic chemicals as solvents, energy intensive, waste intensive, not appropriate for larger scale, and/or operationally complex.
To utilize the waste completely an integrated approach must be taken, where process development is coupled to characterization and testing of products.
This project will focus on the(i) development of green processes to extract value added products from shellfish residues, specifically mussel and shrimp; (ii) characterization of products for applications; (iii) production of material for product testing to inform further process optimization and (iv) biomaterial development from solids.
The overall outcome of this work will be an established process to sustainably extract value added products from mussel and shrimp processing residues.
Requirements
- The student will have an undergraduate/masters in Chemical and/or Bioprocess Engineer. Ideally they will have had graduate background that includes experimental design, hands on laboratory/field experience, analysis of feedstock and process products, process design, and modeling of processes.
- The HQP will have excellent communication skills and able to work in an interdisciplinary environment with people of different training (technical staff, science/engineering undergraduates and graduates, PDFs) and cultural backgrounds.