Costs Associated with Implementation of Zero Effluent Discharge at Recycled Fiber Paperboard Mills, 1998 Environmental Conference Proceedings

The costs for implementing zero effluent discharge at six different types of paperboard mills which use recovered fibre as furnish was evaluated. A cost sensitivity analysis was completed for different configurations of a tube stock mill, to identify site specific factors which have the greatest impact on the costs to implement process closure. Finally, capital and operating cost estimates were developed for implementing zero effluent discharge at a greenfield high performance linerboard mill, employing extensive technology to treat process water for reuse.

The net present costs (using i=10%, n=20 years) ranged from $2.3 million to $5.1 million for the 6 mill types, and $28 million in the case of the greenfield high performance linerboard mill. Zero effluent discharge is most attractive for mills that have a large proportion of stainless steel equipment and piping in place. It is less attractive for mills that have frequent color grade changes, continue to operate secondary treatment facilities, or require additional technologies to meet overall flow balances when at zero discharge operation.

The economic and technical feasibility of closed cycle operation should be considered on a mill-by-mill basis. For some board mills, zero effluent operation can represent the lowest cost effluent handling option.