Sludge Watch ==> Modern Marvels: Paper Sludge becomes Green Steam (formerly Minergy)

[Maureen Reilly]

  Sludgewatch Admin:

This looks so promising....paper sludge has been a problem when it is 
diverted to farmland 'as is'.  Why?  It contains chemicals (it used to 
contain alot of dioxin..not so much anymore)...it also is very high in 
carbon not nitrogen...so that is sucks nutrients out of the soil as it 
decomposes and thus causes crop damage.

So if they don't want to do proper composting of paper sludge it makes sense 
to use it for fue.

The Expert Panel report commissioned for the Ontario Ministry of the 
Environment made strong recommendations that paper sludge be composted and 
used as a soil conditioner under a Certificate of Approval waste permit.  
The Province of Ontario has ignored this good advice.

Atlantic Packaging put in some sludge burners in their Scarborough plant. 
Maybe they should watch the History Channel and see what Neenah Paper is 
doing.


.......................................................

Posted December 24, 2006

History Channel to feature Neenah Paper's innovative recycling

The Post-Crescent

NEENAH — Neenah Paper's success with so-called green steam will make the 
History Channel's "Modern Marvels" program next month.


The fine paper maker's innovative application of sustainable technology will 
be featured in a segment about recycling during the "Environmental Tech" 
episode on Jan. 24, said Meredith Christiansen, product manager from Neenah 
Paper's headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga.


Typically, more than one million viewers tune in to watch new episodes of 
the hit show.


The company takes 5,000 tons of sludge from the process of making various 
brands of fine paper every year and converts it to steam, electricity and 
glass aggregate at the Thermagen Power Group (formerly Minergy) plant about 
four blocks west of its N. Commercial Street mill along the Fox River.


Neenah Paper then purchases the steam back and pipes it to the mill to dry 
paper during manufacturing and also to heat the plant. Mill managers 
estimate using this "green steam" will reduce its natural gas consumption 80 
percent.


Christiansen said seven of 10 gallons of water used to make the recycled 
paper is returned to the Fox River cleaner than when it was drawn, and 
disposing of sludge at the Thermagen plant saves an enormous amount of space 
at the Winnebago County landfill at Oshkosh.


The air time of next month's feature program was not immediately available.


http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061224/APC0101/612240494/1003/APC01