Sludge Watch ==> Quebec - Paper Giant Integrates Biomass into Operations

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

This enterprising company turned around this 1903 mill into a good size 
paper producer and biomass energy plant.

The facility is engineered to create 23 MW of energy.  It is currently using 
papermill sludge, wood chips from contruction waste, and bark chips.  In the 
near future they will include some sewage sludge in the biomass fuel mix.

The use of the most modern and efficient equipment has allowed the plant to 
make energy from the very wastes that are making rural communities  
elsewhere so unhappy...sludges.

Environmental benefits include an annual reduction in greenhouse gases 
equivalent to removing 18,000 vehicles from the road  (83,000 tonnes in GHG 
reduction);
- reduction in future landfilling and land application of paper mill sludge, 
bark, and particle waste;
- reduction in the risk of leachate contamination as a result of reduced 
landfilling of bark;
- reduction in fossil fuel consumption;
- and an overall improvement in air quality.

In addition  - the biomass plant consolidated 470 jobs in recycling the 
biomass.

And an end to the impacts of putting papermill sludge on agricultural land - 
with its load of chemicals, unbalanced nutrients, crop damaging nitrogen 
deficits, high clay levels, nonyl phenol, and polyacrilamide polymers.

Ontario needs a few of these facilities.

Kruger is also building a windfarm in Ontario:
http://www.windaction.org/news/12913
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The story below is from 2005. The plant is now up and running...using 
biomass fuels.
..................................................

August 5, 2005
Paper Giant Integrates Biomass into Operations


Brompton, Sherbrooke, Quebec [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]


Paper manufacturer Kruger was given the green light to proceed with 
construction of its 23 MW biomass cogeneration plant in the company's 
Brompton mill, located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Developed in 
response to Hydro-Quebec-Distribution's mid 2003 call for tenders, the plant 
will supply 100 MW of electricity generated from biomass.

This project is the company's latest foray into renewable energy 
technologies that can be integrated with its paper manufacturing operation.

In addition to creating a market for wood waste, the facility will 
consolidate almost 500 jobs. The plant has been in operation since 1903 and 
produces 840 tons of newsprint daily. In March 2004, Kruger established the 
Kruger Energy Group to achieve its growth objectives in the energy sector. 
This project is the company's latest foray into renewable energy 
technologies that can be integrated with its paper manufacturing operation.

The project will be completed in two stages. The first will entail the 
installation of a boiler to burn paper mill sludge, bark and other wood 
residues. In the second phase, a steam turbine will be installed downstream 
from the boiler to generate electricity and supply the steam required for 
mill operations. The company plans to take the necessary measures to 
mitigate noise, odor, steam, and visual impacts caused by daily operations 
for residents living nearby.

"In addition to the $85-million investment," Jacques Gauthier, Senior Vice 
President and Chief Operating Officer of Kruger's Energy Group, "the biomass 
cogeneration project will allow the company to maintain the competitiveness 
of its Brompton mill through reduced production costs."

Environmental benefits include an annual reduction in greenhouse gases 
equivalent to removing 18,000 vehicles from the road; reduction in future 
landfilling of paper mill sludge, bark, and particle waste; reduction in the 
risk of leachate contamination as a result of reduced landfilling of bark; 
reduction in fossil fuel consumption; and an overall improvement in air 
quality.

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=35103