Developing a robust industrial-scale pyrolysis facility for deinking sludge, with a profitable energy balance and mass balance
Some of the biggest challenges when recycling paper are the outlets for deinking sludge and trash. Today, sludge is transported to cement and brick factories to serve as filler, or used in landspreading for soil improvement. The ultimate circular solution for such sludge is to have a small-footprint installation in the paper mill that transforms the sludge into carbon-neutral fuel and reusable high brightness fillers (CaCO3). This would also avoid the emissions and traffic from transporting sludge.
SCA, Alucha and the University of Twente have developed a pyrolysis installation for deinking sludge. The concept of the pyrolysis reactor was developed by Alucha. SCA supported the first test in a small pilot unit at the university, to confirm the unique design of the reactor. With successful results, it was decided to scale up to a medium-sized industrial installation with a capacity of 100kg/h. Ongoing tests confirm the process’s reliability and mass and energy balances, allowing SCA to plan on scaling up to a large industrial installation.
Develop a robust industrial-scale pyrolysis facility for deinking sludge, with a profitable energy balance and mass balance. Ensure the minerals retain calcium carbonate at such purity that it can be reused in the paper industry. Key benefits: relatively low capital investment and small footprint; end sludge transport; reliable, cost-efficient and independent solution for deinking sludge; true circular economy solution.
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