Pulp and paper mill wastes: utilizations and prospects for high value-added biomaterials

AbstractA wide variety of biomass is available all around the world. Most of the biomass exists as a by-product from manufacturing industries. Pulp and paper mills contribute to a higher amount of these biomasses mostly discarded in the landfills creating an environmental burden. Biomasses from other sources have been used to produce different kinds and grades of biomaterials such as those used in industrial and medical applications. The present review aims to investigate the availability of biomass from pulp and paper mills and show sustainable routes for the production of high value-added biomaterials. The study reveals that using conventional and integrated biorefinery technology the ample variety and quantity of waste generated from pulp and paper mills can be converted into wealth. As per the findings of the current review, it is shown that high-performance carbon fiber and bioplastic can be manufactured from black liquor of pulping waste; the cellulosic waste from sawdust and sludge can be utilized for the synthesis of CNC and regenerated fibers such as viscose rayon and acetate; the mineral-based pulping wastes and fly ash can be used for manufacturing of different kinds of biocomposites. The different biomaterials obtained from the pulp and paper mill biomass can be used for versatile applications including conventional, high performance, and smart materials. Through customization and optimization of the conversion techniques and product manufacturing schemes, a variety of engineering materials can be obtained from pulp and paper mill wastes realizing the current global waste to wealth developmental approach.

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Summary of Case Studies Investigating the Causes of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Regulatory Toxicity

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2004.016 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 93-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Tibor Kovacs ◽

Sharon Gibbons ◽

Brian O'Connor ◽

Pierre Martel ◽

Michael Paice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rainbow Trout ◽

Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽

Daphnia Magna ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper Mills ◽

Paper Mills ◽

Paper Mill Effluent ◽

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss

Abstract In Canada, effluents from pulp and paper mills are regulated for toxicity. The regulation requires ≥50% survival of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to full-strength (i.e., 100%) effluent for 96 h in tests that must be conducted monthly. The regulation also calls for ≥50% survival of Daphnia magna exposed to 100% effluent for 48 h in weekly monitoring tests. Every year, about 10 to 25% of the mills exceed the regulatory limit at least once in tests with either rainbow trout or Daphnia magna. Between 1996 and 2003, we investigated 84 such cases from 32 mills. Of the 84 investigations, 49 involved only trout, 29 involved only Daphnia, and six involved both species. We identified the actual cause of toxicity in 70% of the cases and partially or tentatively identified the toxicant(s) in 17% more. In the cases involving only trout, the most frequent causes of toxicity were related to biotreatment performance (e.g., ammonia). In the cases involving only Daphnia, the most frequent cause of toxicity seemed to be related to polymeric formulations. For those cases involving both trout and Daphnia, the cause of toxicity was traced to more than one compound or to excess concentrations of a specific compound resulting from a spill or biotreatment-related problems.

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Integral indices for quality assessment of pulp and paper mill effluents

Ekológia (Bratislava) ◽

10.2478/eko-2014-0007 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Konstantin Bogolitsyn ◽

Maria Gusakova ◽

Nina Samsonova ◽

Natalia Selivanova ◽

Alexsandra Pochtovalova

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Demand ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper Mills ◽

Paper Mills ◽

Paper Mill Effluents ◽

Northwest Region ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Characteristics

AbstractThe first part of this investigation studied complex nature of chemical oxygen demand (COD ) parameter on local and overall effluents, which were obtained from two pulp and paper mills, located in the Northwest region of Russia. Contribution of individual compounds and fractions of matters having different chemical nature to COD for these effluents was established. The second part of this study shows that, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of priority pollutants and their contribution to COD for different pulp and paper mills are not the same, though these mills use similar technologies and produce similar products.

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Bioremediation of Agro-Based Pulp Mill Effluent by Microbial Consortium Comprising Autochthonous Bacteria

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/2012/127014 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Virendra Kumar ◽

Purnima Dhall ◽

Rita Kumar ◽

Yogendra Prakash Singh ◽

Anil Kumar

Keyword(s):

Black Liquor ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Pulp Mill ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Kraft Pulping ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Small Scale ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Paper Mills

Small-scale agro-based pulp and paper mills are characterized as highly polluting industries. These mills use Kraft pulping process for paper manufacturing due to which toxic lignified chemicals are released into the environment. Lack of infrastructure, technical manpower, and research and development facilities restricts these mills to recover these chemicals. Therefore, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the emanating stream is quite high. For solving the above problem, four bacteria were isolated from the premises of agro-based pulp and paper mill which were identified as species ofPseudomonas, Bacillus, Pannonibacter, andOchrobacterum. These bacteria were found capable of reducing COD up to 85%–86.5% in case of back water and 65-66% in case of back water : black liquor (60 : 40), respectively, after acclimatization under optimized conditions (pH 6.8, temperature 35°C, and shaking 200 rpm) when the wastewater was supplemented with nitrogen and phosphorus as trace elements.

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Effects of Chemical Spills on Activated Sludge Treatment Performance in Pulp and Paper Mills

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1999.0728 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 40 (11-12) ◽

pp. 319-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

T. Sarlin ◽

S. Halttunen ◽

P. Vuoriranta ◽

J. Puhakka

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Optical Brightener ◽

Pulp And Paper Mills ◽

Paper Mills ◽

Chemical Spills ◽

Acute Toxic Effect

The aim of this research was to study the effects of chemical spills on activated sludge metabolic activity and settleability. On-site, laboratory-scale tests were carried out at three pulp and paper mill activated sludge plants. Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal were used for monitoring of metabolic inhibition. The effects of chemicals on 30-min settled sludge volume were studied. Accidental release reports from five pulp and paper mills were analysed. Thirty-four chemicals were selected to the laboratory tests. Of the tested chemicals 2 biocides, monochloro acetic acid, soft soap and turpentine inhibited the OUR of the sludge and thus, had an acute toxic effect on the activated sludge. The biocides and disperging agent reduced DOC removal. Aluminium sulphate and optical brightener had a negative effect on sludge settleability and thus, they may cause losses of activated sludge from treatment plant. In conclusion, maximum possible spill of the five chemicals may reduce the performance of the activated sludge.

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Occurrence of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates and Their Metabolites in Canadian Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents and Sludge

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1999.033 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 633-652 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Hing-Biu Lee ◽

Thomas E. Peart

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Waste Treatment ◽

Solid Phase ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Secondary Effluent ◽

Nonylphenol Ethoxylates ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Paper Mill Effluents ◽

Treated Effluent

Abstract A survey of the concentrations of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPnEO) and their metabolites in the primary and secondary treated effluent and sludge samples collected from pulp and paper mills was conducted. Through the coordination of the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada (PAPRICAN), 19 Canadian and one U.S. mill of various process types and waste treatment methods supplied samples in this study. Previously developed solid-phase extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chro-matography/mass spectrometry methods were used for the determination of NPnEO and their metabolites, nonylphenol (NP) and the carboxylates (NPEC), in effluent and sludge samples. The levels of NPnEO ranged from <2 to 129 (median 4.5) µg/L and from <2 to 71.3 (median 5.8) µg/L for the primary and secondary effluents, respectively. The concentrations of NP varied from <0.1 to 1.32 (median 0.35) µg/L in the primary effluent and from <0.1 to 4.32 (median <0.1) µg/L in the secondary effluent. NPECs were found in only one primary and four secondary effluent samples, with an overall concentration range from <1 to 32 µg/L. These results are lower than those reported for paper mill effluents discharged into the lower Fox River, WI, USA. For the pulp and paper mill sludge, the levels of NPnEO and NP, on a dry weight basis, varied from <1 to 90.8 (median 21) µg/g and from <0.05 to 121 (median 1.3) µg/g, respectively. While NPnEO and NP were detected in nearly all sludge, their concentrations were lower than those observed for digested sewage sludge. Again, NPEC were found in only four samples, with an overall range from <1 to 18.5 µg/g. No relationship between the nonylphenolic levels in the effluent samples and the process and waste treatment types of the mill was found.

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Thermal characterization of hydrated eco-friendly clinkers produced from pulp and paper mill waste

Cerâmica ◽

10.1590/0366-69132018643712339 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (371) ◽

pp. 311-317 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. Simão ◽

N. J. Lóh ◽

D. Hotza ◽

F. Raupp-Pereira ◽

J. A. Labrincha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Characterization ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Industrial Wastes ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Paper Mills ◽

Bet Analysis ◽

Alternative Materials ◽

Clinker Production

Abstract Industrial wastes from pulp and paper mills are potentially useful materials to use as alternative materials in clinker production. In this study, eco-friendly clinkers were obtained using only waste as feedstock. Eco-friendly clinker with different C3S and C2S contents were produced and hydrated for 7 days at 40 °C, or for 28 and 90 days at room temperature. The potentialities of these waste and the products obtained were revealed through chemical (XRF), thermal (DTA/TG) and surface area (BET) analysis. For comparison, a common ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was tested. As expected, the hydration rate of formulations presenting higher C3S content was higher, generating higher amounts of Ca(OH)2. Furthermore, the amount of Portlandite formed was lower when compared to OPC.

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Masculinization of Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia) and Exposure to Pulp and Paper Discharge: Diminished Responses Following Mill Process Modifications

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2010.018 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 145-152

Author(s):

Jessica J. Noggle ◽

Timothy S. Gross ◽

Stewart E. Holm

Keyword(s):

Black Liquor ◽

Biological Response ◽

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

Oxygen Delignification ◽

Sex Structure ◽

Elemental Chlorine ◽

Index Ratio ◽

Mill Process

Abstract The abnormal induction of anal fin elongation (masculinization) in female Gambusia was first reported in the 1980s for Florida streams receiving pulp and paper effluents. Although these early reports indicated masculinization responses that were similar to the complete development of a gonopodium (male secondary sex structure), additional evaluations throughout the 1990s demonstrated significant reductions in this response. These historic data suggested that mill process modifications may have been responsible for the reduced masculinization responses. The objective of the current study was to utilize Georgia Pacifics Palatka Mill to monitor a series of mill process modifications and their effects on masculinization responses in Mosquitofish (Gambusia). Gambusia were collected from upstream, discharge, and downstream sites in the Palatka Mill receiving stream (Rice Creek) and masculinization was evaluated. Collections were conducted annually during 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009, before and after a series of modifications which included: conversion to elemental chlorine free bleaching, conversion of secondary treatment to aerobic degradation, reduction of in-mill black liquor losses, addition of condensate stripping, reduction in water usage from 136 to 83 million litres per day (36 to 22 million gallons per day), installation of new brown stock washers, and oxygen delignification. Masculinization responses were evaluated using the anal fin index (ratio or anal fin rays 4 and 6). Reductions in this masculinization response were observed gradually across 1999 through 2009, with an absence of response in female Gambusia during 2004, 2006, and 2008 to 2009. These data indicate that pulp and paper mill upgrades and process modifications have resulted in the elimination of this biological response in Gambusia.

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Trends in pulp and paper mill emissions of SO2 and NOx, 1980-2010

TAPPI Journal ◽

10.32964/tj13.2.9 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 9-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JOHN E. PINKERTON

Keyword(s):

Paper Mill ◽

Pulp And Paper ◽

Nox Emissions ◽

Oxides Of Nitrogen ◽

Pulp And Paper Mill ◽

So2 Emissions ◽

Paper Mills ◽

The Past ◽

Pulp Paper ◽

Nox Control

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from U.S. pulp and paper mills have been estimated from industry-wide surveys conducted every five years, beginning in 1980 and continuing through 2010. Between 1980 and 2010, total SO2 emissions declined by over 70%, while paper and paperboard production rose 35%. NOx emissions peaked in 1995, but fell by almost 40% over the next 15 years. Paper and paperboard production only declined 7% over the same period. These downward emission trends resulted from several factors, including reductions in oil and coal use, declining oil and coal sulfur content, increased use of add-on SO2 and NOx control systems on boilers, growing use of combustion modification techniques to minimize emissions, improvements in energy efficiency, and declining pulp, paper, and paperboard production over the past 15 years.

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