Technology Mapping: The Paper Pulping Process

TECHNOLOGY MAPPING ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES a case study Producers around the world are searching for alternative technologies with lower environmental impact. A comprehensive technology mapping can help producers to compare for the paper sustainable technology alternatives. Here we present a case study for the paper pulp industry. This industry was historically one of the largest polluters, but has recently been making the pulp industry shift towards sustainability. pulping chemicals Introduction: The paper pulping process A paper pulping process typically consists of various steps. First, there is a preconditioning step (a). This is followed by impregnation of the shredded biomass with pulping chemicals (b). In a large cooking vessel called the digester, paper pulp is produced by cooking the biomass for several hours (c). In the last step, the paper pulp is separated from the residual chemical mixture ('black liquor')} d). By drying and burning the black liquor most of the added pulping chemicals and some heat are recycled back to the process (e). In parallel, the paper pulp slurry is dried to sell to a papermaking plant (f). Throughout the process, raw materials like wood & water are heavily consumed and large streams of polluted water & air are generated. The high final environmental impact of the process can be reduced by implementing alternative technologies, such as the ones described below. shredder 1 - Alternative pulping chemicals The mechanism of wood pulping is based on the action of polluting pulping chemicals. A biotechnology-based process, called biopulping, based on enzymes has been developed to eliminate the use of environmentally harsh chemicals. impregnator II - Replace Digester The digesters can be completely replaced by small scale high-shear extruders. The combined chemical and mechanical action of extruders decreases consumption of energy, water & chemicals and allows the use of non-wood biomasses as input material III - Black liquor alternative All chemical pulping processes produce black liquor as the major sidestream. Instead of burning black liquor in a furnace, it can be sent to a gasification process. Next to recycling the chemicals, this process produces heat and syngas, which can be used as an energy source or as a building block for organic synthesis. digester IV - Less Water The paper industry is a large consumer of fresh water. A significant part of the water is lost through vaporization. Cooling these humid hot air streams can be used to recapture part of the water vapor through condensation. The energy that is contained in the waste heat can be validated by an Organic Rankine Cycle. washer centrifuge bleach black liquor flash dryer oven washer screen inversion rolls wire press ventilator press rolls radiator fourdrinier Calender rolls re Systematic innovation of production processes starts with the exploration of the existing technology landscape. By making this clear draft of all technologies in the playing field, process innovation can be more effective. After mapping the different sustainable pulping technologies, process engineers can decide if the investment in a sustainable alternative and the cost savings associated with it are worth to consider. Interested in mapping the sustainable technology alternatíves for you production process? Contact our specialist at [email protected] Title: Paper Making Process TECHNOLOGY ČREAX NV Engelse Wandeling 2F MAPPING 8500 Kortrijk Sources: 1/ Bajodi, P2012). Blopulping. In Biotechnology for Pulp and Paper Processing (pp-67-92). Bosfon, MA: Springer US. dol10 1007/978-1-4814-1409-4 2/ Sridach, W201ONT of Sclencech oentaly benign polping Rrocess grion-waod fibers Suranare Journa 3/ Moscicki, b2011). Extrusion-Cooking Techniques. (L. Moscicki, Ed.). Weinhelm, Gemany: Wiley-VCH erlag GmbH & Co KGAA. 4 hitpllen.wikipedia 5/ MoncL011 Ba ng Techaiques. (L. Mosciek, Ed. . Weinheo, Germany: WileCH Verlag GmbHs Co. KGA BAhttp://en.wikipec org/wiki/Blackuor#Usage Ziviani, D., Beyene, A, Ve CREAX BELGIUM Dwg. no Rev.no iquoreUsage 1_a2_25042014 www.creax.com [email protected] +32 56 23 94 94 grade themal energy reco Applied Ener 121, 79-95. doto 1016 systems modeling for low Signature M. (2014). Advances and challenges in Status Date Author T Valcke Thoras. 25/04/2014 DISCLAIMER- This concepk has been created by CREAX Nv. THe content shown is property oh CREAX PROJE and should not be faplicated without mentioning GREAX PROJECTS NV as a source Copywright 2014 -