Paper Technology International 2020 - Journal - Page 34

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Water scarcity: ambitious sustainability goals achieved using Buckman onochloramine
technology
Francesca Nicole Airola, Area Manager PT Italy, Buckman
INTRODUCTION:
A packaging manufacturer located in Italy chose Buckman in 2016 to develop part of its long-term environmental sustainability
strategy by applying a full state-of-the-art chemical and digital solution. The mill was focused on the reduction of water consumption
and made large investments in technology to achieve their objective, which was the basis for the aligned project vision with Buckman.
The customer’s goal was to achieve a net positive environmental outcome regarding water efficiency, anticipating and managing risks
related to current and potential future increased water stress.
The historical abundance of water in the mill area is
nowadays a myth of the past; growing demand for agricultural
and industrial purposes on top of well-known climate change
consequences determine strict extraction limits and few choices of
water sources depending on seasonal availability.
The aim of this leading packaging group is to create zero
water impact by 2030, an ambitious plan if you consider that
papermaking is one of the most water-intensive industries, and
emerging challenges are created by the economy, such as the
increasing mechanical properties of the board!
Water plays a critical role since fibers are transported
through the production process, from pulp to paper using water;
all chemicals are diluted or prepared into water and then saturated
steam is used to dry the paper. In the recycle process, water is
even more important to separate and remove contaminants from
the fibers, ensuring proper cleaning of the furnish in the stock
preparation.
Water recirculation has been the primary, low-cost method
for reducing water consumption, but closing the loop dramatically
increases organic, inorganic and microbiological contamination in
the process water.
A typical and dangerous consequence of process water
contamination by organic material (starch contained in recycled
corrugated furnish) is the pre-acidification and consequent
calcium solubilization in the water. This phenomenon has severe
consequences on dropping paper characteristics, creating a
bad odor (volatile fatty acids) in the process and ultimately poor
performance of anaerobic and aerobic digesters. The complexity of
achieving the water closure target is intimately linked with anaerobic
and aerobic digester performance, with the interactions impacting
machine runnability and, above all, potential serious consequences
on effluent discharge limitations.
Prior to their partnership with Buckman, the mill tried other
chemical solutions. Unfortunately, they resulted in serious negative
consequences on the wastewater treatment plant, showing the
importance of a more consistent and professional approach to
calcium stabilization and starch preservation.
By implementing the Buckman Joint Problem Solving
methodology, mill personnel worked together with Buckman to
identify the key success factors for the project.
Figure 1: Healthy anaerobic sludge
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