Citation:

Bhander, G. AND W. Jozewicz. Analysis of Emission Reduction Strategies for Power Boilers in the US Pulp and Paper Industry. Energy and Emission Control Technologies. Dove Medical Press, AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 2017(5):27-37, (2017). https://doi.org/10.2147/EECT.s139648

Impact/Purpose:

The primary focus of this paper is to conduct case analyses of emissions from boilers in the U.S. pulp and paper sector under the regime of fuel switching, installation of air pollution equipment, and implementation of energy efficiency measures. The objective of the analysis was to gain insights relative to broad questions on the range of practical SO2, NOx, GHG, and PM reduction options in the U.S. pulp and paper industry.

Description:

The U.S. pulp and paper industry utilizes a variety of fuels to provide energy for process needs. Energy production results in air emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). Air emissions from the pulp and paper sector have been declining steadily since the mid-1990s, reflecting changes in fuel types used and their sulfur content, fluctuation in pulp and paper production, increase in the volume of recycling, and efficiency gains throughout the sector. The industry continues the process of minimizing environmental impact by increasing the use of recycled paper, improving energy efficiency, and making capital investments for effective compliance with regulations. Because of the above actions, market trends promoting the use of natural gas over coal, and more demanding regulatory limits, it is reasonable to expect that air emissions from the sector will continue to decline in the near future.Boilers have been the dominant source of SO2, NOX, PM, and CO2 emissions for the sector. It would therefore be of interest to understand how air pollution control technologies could be applied to boilers throughout the sector. The amount of emissions reduced as a result of technology application and the cost to the industry to apply these technologies should also be understood. The Universal Industrial Sectors Integrated Solutions (U-ISIS) pulp and paper model developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was used to provide examples of the emission reductions that may be achieved and the cost of technology application.This paper discusses air emissions from power boilers operating in the pulp and paper sector and reviews the menu of air pollution control technologies applicable to the sector. After providing the background for the U-ISIS pulp and paper model, the paper presents illustrative examples of air pollution control technology application followed by the analysis of costs and benefits of technology application. The examples of technology application include fuel switching (e.g., replacement of coal with natural gas), installation of air pollution control equipment, and energy efficiency measures.

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