Pulp and Paper Projects

My approach to solving process problems in the pulp & paper industry has been successful in cases where up to nine different consultants and industry experts were not.  My experience in several industries helps me to understand and resolve difficult chemistry-related process problems.

Recaust chemistry process audit – I have helped mills to operate their recaust process more efficiently with minimal capital cost.  Recommendations have reduced operating costs and process upsets in the recaust area.

Accumulation of NPEs is becoming increasingly important as mills move toward effluent system closure.  One NPE project resulted in cost savings of more than $2,000,000/year from reduced lime plant upsets, increased burning of secondary treatment sludge and reduced lime kiln fuel costs.  Other related projects have resulted in significant annual cost savings.

Improvements in acid washing procedures for tubular backpulse pressure filters have more than doubled the time between acid washes and increased time between filter sock replacement.

Another project used novel analytical methods to chemically identify individual dirt specks in off-grade pulp to determine their source.  This project resulted in savings of more than $1,000,000/year in off-grade losses.

• Improved operation of green liquor clarifiers to reduce dregs carryover to recaust (publication).
• Improved cleaning processes for tubular backpulse pressure filters (summary, publication).
• Detailed knowledge of non-process element (NPE) chemistry and behaviour in Kraft mills (View pulp and paper publications).
• Reduction of lime kiln ring formation (summary, publication).
• Contribution of NPEs to low solids content in filtered lime mud.
• Quality control of purchased lime and limestone for Kraft mills.
• Effect of burning secondary treatment sludge on green liquor clarifier and recaust chemistry.
• Scale reduction in lime kiln wet scrubbers and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubbers.
• Scale reduction in smelt dissolving tanks and impellers.
• Scale reduction in black liquor evaporators.
• Detailed chemical identification of deposits in pulp and paper (summary, publication).
• Detailed knowledge of biocide chemistry and monitoring methods in white water systems.
• Practical experience with heavy metal chelation chemistry.

• Detailed characterization of clarifier dregs to improve dregs settling. Includes determination of particle sizes and the identification of compounds present.
• Evaluation of used tubular backpulse pressure filters. Includes filter preparation, SEM/EDS of filter surface, filter pores and filter body. XRD analysis of filter solids if sufficient material is available. Complete data interpretation.
• Non-process element benchmarking of lime mud – comparison with data from other Kraft mills.
• Sampling, analysis and evaluation of an acid wash treatment of a tubular backpulse pressure filter unit.
• Evaluation of lime kiln ring material. Includes XRD analysis, elemental analysis and data interpretation.
• Evaluation of purchased lime and limestone (chemical and physical properties).
• Evaluation and reduction of scale formation in lime kiln wet scrubbers.
• Qualitative evaluation of pulp or paper dirt specks. Results include recommendations for more detailed analysis, if required.
• Evaluation of commercial talc samples used for control of pitch in pulp production.
• Visible light diffuse reflectance measurements of lime mud.