scholarly journals Analysis of economically viable lignin-based biorefinery strategies implemented within a kraft pulp mill

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 157-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cedric Diffo Teguia ◽  
Rod Albers ◽  
Paul Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Product Portfolio ◽  
Phenolic Resins ◽  
Lignin Extraction ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Process Strategy

Many pulp and paper companies are considering implementing a lignin-based biorefinery to diversify their core business to new products and improve their longer-term competitiveness. The best strategy to achieve might not be obvious, considering the lignin extraction process and derivatives to be implemented over the longer term that meet market and business objectives, and provide competitive advantage. In this article, various lignin biorefinery strategies were considered in a case study involving lignin precipitation processes integrated within an existing kraft mill, and solvent pulping processes that would be implemented in parallel to the existing mill processes using additional hardwood. The analysis aimed to identify the conditions under which various strategies would represent suitable investments. Operating constraints in the case study mill limited lignin extraction to 85 metric tons/day from 15% of the mill’s black liquor, whereas 260 metric tons/day lignin could be extracted by solvent pulping 1500 metric tons/day of hardwood. The preferred strategies identified by the study were lignin precipitation to phenolic resins production, and solvent pulping to carbon fiber production. The first product-process strategy requires lower investment, provides high returns (internal rate of return [IRR] of 39% to 43%), and is more easily implemented in the near term. Solvent pulping resulted in reasonable profitability (IRR of 18% to 25%), with higher production volumes and a diversified product portfolio, and was considered more suitable as a longer-term strategy. Business model robustness and long-term competitiveness can be better assured by combining both strategies. It was shown that 1) government support to offset capital cost, and 2) high derivatives market prices positively influence lignin valorization strategies, which are sensitive to technology and market maturity.

Biorefinery implementation for recovery debottlenecking at existing pulp mills- Part II: Techno-economic evaluation

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAKIM GHEZZAZ ◽  
LUC PELLETIER ◽  
PAUL R. STUART
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Precipitation Process

The evaluation and process risk assessment of (a) lignin precipitation from black liquor, and (b) the near-neutral hemicellulose pre-extraction for recovery boiler debottlenecking in an existing pulp mill is presented in Part I of this paper, which was published in the July 2012 issue of TAPPI Journal. In Part II, the economic assessment of the two biorefinery process options is presented and interpreted. A mill process model was developed using WinGEMS software and used for calculating the mass and energy balances. Investment costs, operating costs, and profitability of the two biorefinery options have been calculated using standard cost estimation methods. The results show that the two biorefinery options are profitable for the case study mill and effective at process debottlenecking. The after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of the lignin precipitation process option was estimated to be 95%, while that of the hemicellulose pre-extraction process option was 28%. Sensitivity analysis showed that the after tax-IRR of the lignin precipitation process remains higher than that of the hemicellulose pre-extraction process option, for all changes in the selected sensitivity parameters. If we consider the after-tax IRR, as well as capital cost, as selection criteria, the results show that for the case study mill, the lignin precipitation process is more promising than the near-neutral hemicellulose pre-extraction process. However, the comparison between the two biorefinery options should include long-term evaluation criteria. The potential of high value-added products that could be produced from lignin in the case of the lignin precipitation process, or from ethanol and acetic acid in the case of the hemicellulose pre-extraction process, should also be considered in the selection of the most promising process option.

scholarly journals Decision-making process for the identification of preferred lignin-based biorefinery strategies

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (04) ◽  
pp. 229-240
Author(s):  
Cedric Diffo Teguia ◽  
Sophie D'Amours ◽  
Rod Albers ◽  
Paul Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Phenol Formaldehyde ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Economic Market ◽  
Revenue Growth ◽  
Lignin Extraction ◽  
Price Cutting ◽  
Near Term

The lignin biorefinery is emerging; there has been significant progress in recent years regarding lignin extraction and conversion processes, their implementation at the commercial scale, and the validation of lignin substitution potential in various applications. In this paper, seven strategies for implementing the lignin-based biorefinery into a kraft pulp mill were considered, and different performance metrics for these strategies were calculated in order to identify the “most preferred”. The different options addressed two distinctly different objectives that companies can consider regarding their biorefinery strategy, either (1) a near-term mill-level profitability improvement vision, or (2) a longer-term revenue growth-oriented vision. A phased-implementation approach was systematically defined for each option in order to mitigate technology and market risks. Lignin product applications that were considered included phenol replacement in phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins, polyols replacement in polyurethane (PU) foams, and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) replacement in carbon fiber. A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) panel was executed for evaluating the seven lignin-based biorefinery strategies, using a set of economic, market risk, and competitiveness criteria. Although the panel selected Internal Rate of Return (IRR) as the most important criterion, Competitiveness on Production Costs (CPC) appeared to be the most important factor for distinguishing between lignin strategy options. CPC reflects the robustness of the biorefinery strategy relative to an aggressive price-cutting strategy from the competition. Overall, strategies involving lignin precipitation were more attractive economically, while those involving larger-scale solvent pulping processes and the associated larger revenue streams were considered better long-term strategies. The most preferred strategy considered by the panel was for precipitated lignin sold for both PF resin and PU foam applications. The next preferred strategy considered lignin sales to the same market segments, but at larger volumes. The next closely-ranked strategy considered the production of a lignin-based PF resin at the host mill. These three strategies were identified as “preferred,” for further, more detailed assessment.

Biorefinery implementation for recovery debottlenecking at existing pulp mills - Part I: Potential for debottlenecking

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAKIM GHEZZAZ ◽  
LUC PELLETIER ◽  
PAUL R. STUART
Keyword(s):  
Black Liquor ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Pulp Yield ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Paper Production ◽  
Production Increase ◽  
Process Strategy

Depending on the process strategy employed, implementation of the biorefinery into an existing pulp and paper mill can often help with process debottlenecking, and enable increased pulp and paper production capacity. Many biorefinery process options also offer the opportunity for bioproducts manufacturing and/or fossil fuel replacement. In this paper, the implementation of two biorefinery processes is examined from the perspective of process debottlenecking at a sodium carbonate-based semichemical pulp and paper mill: (a) lignin precipitation from black liquor by acidification with CO2, and (b) the near-neutral hemicellulose pre-extraction process. The recovery cycle, which includes a Copeland fluidized bed reactor, is the main pulp production bottleneck. Also, pulp quality improvements are possible, which would be achieved by lowering pulp yield. In Part I of this paper, biorefinery implementation uncertainties were identified and the potential for recovery debottlenecking and maximum paper production attainable were evaluated. In Part II, the economic evaluation and comparison of the selected biorefinery process options in the context of process debottlenecking are presented. The results show that for the case study mill, the hemicellulose pre-extraction process gives opportunity for higher paper production and paper quality improvement. It allows for a production increase of about 20%, as well as lowering the pulp yield from 85% to 79%. With lignin precipitation, it was found that a 15% paper production increase could be possible if the pulp yield is kept constant.

scholarly journals Assessing the value of a diversified by-product portfolio to allow for increased production flexibility in pulp mills

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-558
Author(s):  
Elin Svensson ◽  
Rikard Edland ◽  
Christian Langner ◽  
Simon Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Electric Power Production ◽  
Lignin Extraction ◽  
Production Flexibility ◽  
Turbine Capacity

AbstractThis paper presents a model for design optimization of pulp mill steam utility systems subject to variations in energy prices and steam demands. A Scandinavian Kraft pulp mill is used as case study to investigate investment opportunities in lignin extraction and new turbines. The model enables solutions to be identified that are more flexible than the solutions that would have been identified with a corresponding model using, for example, annual average values for key input data. The results from the case study show that lignin extraction has a potential to contribute to flexibility in pulp mill electric power production under certain conditions provided that the mill invests in both lignin extraction and condensing turbine capacity. However, the potential electric power production flexibility will vary over time. In the studied mill, with a capacity increased to around 1.3 million tonnes/a of pulp, it is estimated to vary between 15 and 30 MW. Furthermore, investment in new condensing turbine capacity only seems to be attractive if electricity prices that are considerably higher than the spot prices of recent years are assumed. Such prices may occur if there is a clear value of tradable electricity certificates or if future electricity prices rise significantly.

Managing total reduced sulfur emissions at a Canadian kraft pulp mill

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROHAN BANDEKAR ◽  
JIM FREDERICK ◽  
JAROSLAV STAVIK
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Packed Bed ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Emission Limit ◽  
Total Reduced Sulfur ◽  
Reduced Sulfur ◽  
Air Ingress ◽  
Solids Content

This study addresses the challenges a dissolving-grade pulp mill in Canada faced in 2014 in meeting its total reduced sulfur (TRS) gas emission limit. These emissions from the recovery boiler exit are controlled by passing the boiler exit gas through a TRS scrubber system. The mill employs a cyclonic direct contact evaporator to concentrate black liquor to firing solids content. The off-gases from the direct contact evaporator flow to the effluent gas control system that consists of a venturi scrubber, a packed bed scrubber, and a heat recovery unit. Emissions of TRS greater than the regulated limit of 15 ppm were observed for a 4-month period in 2014. The level of emissions measured during this period was significantly higher than about 12 ppm, the expected average value based on historic experience. The problem persisted from mid-June 2014 until the annual mill shutdown in October 2014. The main TRS components detected and the performance of the Teller scrubber in capturing them are examined. Other potential causes for these emissions are identified, including mechanical problems such as broken packing in the TRS packed bed scrubber, broken baffle plates in the scrubber, and cyclone evaporator leaks causing air ingress. Repairs were carried out during the mill shutdown, which eliminated the TRS emissions problem.

Commissioning brownstock washing controls for an evaporator limited mill

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 459-464
Author(s):  
RICARDO SANTOS ◽  
PETER HART
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Separation Point ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Oxygen Delignification ◽  
Percentage Points

An automated shower water control system has been implemented to reduce the volume and variability of weak black liquor being sent from the pulp mill to the evaporators. The washing controls attempt to balance the need for consistent and low soda carryover to the bleach plant with consistently high weak black liquor solids being sent to the evaporators. The washer controls were implemented on two bleachable grade hardwood lines (one with oxygen delignification, one without oxygen delignification) and one pine line. Implementation of the control program resulted in an increase in black liquor solids of 0.6 percentage points for the hardwood lines. Significant foam reduction was realized on the pine line since the pine black liquor solids were able to be consistently maintained just below the soap separation point. Low black liquor solids excursions to the evaporators were eliminated. Bleach plant carryover was stabilized and no negative impact on chemical consumption was noticed when controlling weak black liquor solids to recovery.

Disruptive innovation and operationalization in local and sustainable food systems: Examining the University of Toronto-Local Food Plus partnership

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-139
Author(s):  
Lori Stahlbrand
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
The University

This paper traces the partnership between the University of Toronto and the non-profit Local Food Plus (LFP) to bring local sustainable food to its St. George campus. At its launch, the partnership represented the largest purchase of local sustainable food at a Canadian university, as well as LFP’s first foray into supporting institutional procurement of local sustainable food. LFP was founded in 2005 with a vision to foster sustainable local food economies. To this end, LFP developed a certification system and a marketing program that matched certified farmers and processors to buyers. LFP emphasized large-scale purchases by public institutions. Using information from in-depth semi-structured key informant interviews, this paper argues that the LFP project was a disruptive innovation that posed a challenge to many dimensions of the established food system. The LFP case study reveals structural obstacles to operationalizing a local and sustainable food system. These include a lack of mid-sized infrastructure serving local farmers, the domination of a rebate system of purchasing controlled by an oligopolistic foodservice sector, and embedded government support of export agriculture. This case study is an example of praxis, as the author was the founder of LFP, as well as an academic researcher and analyst.

THE USE OF ICT IN ISLAMIC EDUCATION (PAI) LEARNING AT SCHOOL: A Case Study on Integrated Islamic High School (SMA-IT) Ummul Quro Bogor

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farida Hanun
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Learning Systems ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Islamic Education ◽  
Inhibiting Factors ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to obtain a description related to the learning of PAI by using ICT and how the impact of the use of ICT on PAI learning systems in the classroom. The research method uses a qualitative approach in the integrated Islamic high school Ummul Quro Bogor, West Java. The results showed that a) there were four stages of using ICT in the learning process, namely; emerging, applying, integrating dan transforming. PAI teachers are already at the integrating stage. In other words, ICT has been integrated into the PAI learning curriculum. b) supporting factors for the use of ICT are the existence of ICT support facilities, the availability of qualified educators, the commitment of the school to implement ICT in every PAI learning. c) Inhibiting factors in the use of ICT are aspects of financing ICT facilities require a large budget. Some elderly teachers have difficulty using ICT in the learning process. Besides, the internet network is unstable. d) The impact of the use of ICT is very significant on PAI learning process. e) the existence of ICT devices not only as a support but already as an important component in the education system. The research led to the recommendation of the need for government support in the form of concern for ICT in terms of policies, facilities, workforce, budget, and organizing training in the use of ICT for PAI teachers to improve their professionalism. Therefore, further research is suggested regarding the effectiveness of the use of ICT in the learning process of PAI.

Biosludge Incineration in a Recovery Boiler

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Harila ◽  
V.-A. Kivilinna
Keyword(s):  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Effluent Treatment ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Primary Sludge ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Combustion Emissions ◽  
Recovery Boiler

An activated sludge process is an effective tool against effluent emissions in a pulp mill. It has only a few features which can be regarded deficiences. One of them is that effluent treatment of a modern pulp mill creates some 10-20 tonnes dry solids of biosludge per day. This sludge is difficult to burn due to its high moisture content. The most common way is to mix biosludge with primary sludge, to dewater the mixture in presses and finally to burn it in a solid fuel boiler. This type of sludge treatment incurs rather high costs and does not produce any net energy. Also combustion emissions vary depending on the boiler type. The Metsä-Botnia Kemi Pulp Mill was the first mill in the world to burn biosludge in a recovery boiler. The system start-up was in 1993 and it has been in operation ever since. Mechanically dewatered biosludge is mixed with weak black liquor and concentrated in a conventional evaporation plant equipped with a pressurized superconcentrator unit. In a modern recovery boiler, firing conditions are well controlled and monitored. Better emission control than in most bark fired boilers is achieved. Accumulation of nonprocess elements, corrosion, plugging, scaling and some other operational problems were expected. A lot of experience has been gathered during the years of operation and reviewed in this presentation. The achieved benefits of the system are discussed. Disposal of biosludge in a recovery boiler offers an economically and environmentally attractive alternative. Probably the best evidence from this is the fact that Metsä-Botnia has applied the same process solution in the recent reconstruction of the recovery departments at the Jouteno Mill.

scholarly journals De‐bottlenecking a pulp mill by producing biofuels from black liquor in 3 steps

ChemSusChem ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Samec ◽  
Davide Di Francesco ◽  
Christian Dahlstrand ◽  
Joakim Löfstedt ◽  
Alexander Orebom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document