Years of peer-reviewed research one click away and absolutely free!
To overcome the technical limitations of water system closure, innovative technologies such as biological treatment, membrane filtration, or evaporation become necessary. Successfully implementing these technologies requires both knowledge and practical experience. Research was conducted at renowned academic institutions and recycled board mills, with some of the findings published in leading research journals of the pulp, paper, and packaging industry.
1.1. Process Water
This research article benchmarks the process water of recycled board mills with restricted water systems and characterizes the specific water chemistry. For this purpose, a thermodynamic model was developed to demonstrate, for the first time, the solubility of calcium carbonate in the process water of recycled board mills under relevant conditions. The findings enable paper professionals to evaluate the suitability of water treatment technologies.
1.2. Process Water
This poster provides a concise explanation of the water chemistry in recycled board mills. It illustrates the reactions and correlations of specific key contaminants in the water, offering paper professionals a quick and convenient method to evaluate the overall water quality in their mill. Hang the poster in the laboratory and office to keep your team informed and reminded.
2.1. Membrane Pilot Plant
This research article investigates the potential application of membrane filtration in recycled board mills. It analyzes the effects of operating pressure and process water concentration on fouling and selectivity. For this purpose, a lab-scale ultrafiltration module was employed and the impact of transmembrane pressure as well as feed organic load on flux and removal efficiency were evaluated. The findings show that UF effectively reduces the concentration of the process water, however, to manage fouling pretreatment and cleaning strategies are required.
2.2. Membrane Pilot Plant
Building upon the results of the research article, Monash University developed a digitalized Membrane Pilot Plant, featuring a water treatment process that includes ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis at a semi-industrial scale. The facility also provides the opportunity to explore cutting-edge operational methods, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality, and digital twin technologies. The plant is open to industry projects, offering practical solutions for real-world challenges.
3. Evaporator Pilot Plant
This research article investigates the feasibility of evaporation for water system closure in recycled board mills. The study examines the operation, selectivity, and the impact of fouling on the energy efficiency. For this purpose, a custom-built low-temperature vacuum evaporator pilot plant was installed on-site at a paper mill. The 50-day pilot plant study presents, for the first time, that despite high calcium concentrations, the heat transfer coefficient remains unaffected by fouling. The trial successfully demonstrates that evaporation is capable of reclaiming water from the process water of a recycled containerboard mill without negative affect on its energy balance.
4. UASB Pilot Plant
This long-duration, on-site pilot plant study investigated the feasibility of biological wastewater treatment for a recycled board mill. The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactor allowed analysing operating parameters and COD removal. The results of the pilot plant study served for the design of a A$23M full-scale wastewater treatment plant treating 7 Mio. L of effluent per day.
5. Doctoral Thesis
Peer-reviewed PhD research on water system closure in recycled board mills. From literature review over process water characterization to evaporator pilot plant trials. Overall merit: "excellent". The two main chapters were published in leading research journals of the pulp and paper industry.
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