Grantee Research Project Results
An Aqueous-Based, Sulfur-Free Pulping Process - Phase II
EPA Contract Number: 68D30078Title: An Aqueous-Based, Sulfur-Free Pulping Process - Phase II
Investigators: DiNovo, Salvatore T.
Small Business: Guild Associates Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1993 through December 1, 1995
Project Amount: $150,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1993) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Kraft pulping, the accepted method for preparing chemical pulp for generations, is beset with problems. New kraft mills require enormous investments, over $1 million per ton of pulp. An equally important problem is environmental aspects associated with the emissions of reduced sulfur compounds and the accompanying odors. These volatile sulfur compounds are pestiferous smelling gases which are released to the atmosphere. Thus siting a new kraft mill is virtually impossible. Another pollution problem exists with the nature of the pulp produced by the kraft sulfide reduction process. The pulp is very dark, requiring extensive bleaching. Bleaching is accomplished through use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite. These compounds are not only hazardous to handle but are implicated in the production of toxic organic chlorides (e.g., dioxins) which appear in the effluent wastewater streams and outfalls.In Phase I, Guild Associates, Inc. proposed a process development effort which totally eliminated sulfur from the pulping process. Their target was to produce pulp at or below kappa no. 30. Phase I results demonstrated this capability unequivocally. Ancillary processing benefits in the chemical recovery section of the plan were also evident. The Phase II project will build on this base, examining key technical issues that were identified in Phase I as crucial to commercial development.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, air toxics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Sustainable Environment, Chemistry, HAPS, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Hazardous Waste, Civil Engineering, New/Innovative technologies, Engineering, Hazardous, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, air pollutants, waste reduction, air pollution, sulfur, pollution prevention, air emissionsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.