Wet oxidation of paper mill wastes to recover filler materials

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Tappi; (United States)

OSTI ID:5455975

Gosling, C D; Lamparter, R A; Barna, B A

A wet oxidation plant was designed to recover filler clay and energy from a waste sludge produced by a paper mill that uses both recycled paper and groundwood as a feedstock. The recovery facility had a discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFRR) of 15.8% which does not meet the commonly used minimum acceptable return (MAR) of 20% DCFRR. Design capacity of the plant was taken as 55 dry ton/day of sludge, which is obtained from the mill at a 28.6% solids content. A project and tax life of 13 years was used in the study. Equipment costs were established through contacts with potential vendors, while the income and expense values were taken at rates typical for the assumed mill location. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the required changes in income, expenses, and investment that result in a DCFRR of 20% for the project. Increasing the steam generation credits to $0.04/million J ($4.08/million Btu), landfill charges to $5.92/metric ton ($5.37/short ton), or filler value to $58.32/metric ton ($52.90/short ton) could make wet oxidation an economically attractive processing scheme for mill sludges. Such changes are highly probable with increasing energy costs, more restrictive landfill legislation, and decreasing clay reserves. 7 references.

• Research Organization: Coll. of Engineering, Center for Waste Management Programs, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI 49931
• OSTI ID: 5455975
• Journal Information: Tappi; (United States), Journal Name: Tappi; (United States) Vol. 64:2; ISSN TAPPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY RECOVERY
EQUIPMENT
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
OXIDATION
PAPER
PAPER INDUSTRY
RECOVERY
RECYCLING
SLUDGES
WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY