Design and Start up of a Pyroflow CFC Firing Deinking Sludge, 1990 Engineering Conference Proceedings

In early 1987, Southeast Paper Manufacturing Company began a study for a major plant expansion at its newsprint mill in Dublin, Georgia. The expansion plans included a new paper machine, additional old newspaper pulping, deinking capacity and a new power complex. One issue which had to be addressed in the study was disposal of sludge. Prior to the expansion, the mill had first used ponds and later employed a land application system for sludge disposal. Sludge volume for the original mill was approximately 90-100 oven dry tons per day (ODTPD). With the proposed expansion, sludge volume would increase to 200 ODTPD. The existing ponds and land application site would not be large enough to handle the total sludge flow which would average over 2000 GPM at 1.5 to 2% solids.

With this increased volume, burning the sludge emerged as the most attractive alternative. Given this, attention centered on identifying the best technology for burning the sludge while meeting steam and power requirements of an expanded mill.