Catalyst Paper recently announced $4.7 million in Federal funding approval for a capital upgrade at its Port Alberni mill. This will improve the efficiency and reliability of biomass-based energy generation, while further reducing greenhouse gas and other air emissions. The project is funded entirely by the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program (PPGTP) credits, earned through production of black liquor at the Crofton pulp operation in 2009." alt="" src="/sites/all/modules/wysiwyg/plugins/break/images/spacer.gif"
The project was endorsed in letters of support from the Hupacasath First Nation and the Tseshaht First Nation.
The project involves three upgrades to the main power boiler (PB4): a new secondary air system, a larger "economizer" or heat-exchange system, and a new gas monitoring system. Due to time requirements for component manufacture, work will not begin until late in the year, but is expected to be completed during an extended annual boiler maintenance shutdown planned for October.
"This is a multi-benefit project and a big step forward for the Port Alberni operation," said Bob Lindstrom, vice-president, supply chain, energy and information technology. "Energy efficiency tops the list of the returns we expect from it. At the same time, it will also reduce environmental impacts and deliver bottom-line benefit from lower fuel consumption and operating and maintenance costs."
Installation of larger and better-designed air nozzles will result in more efficient boiler combustion and reduce fuel requirements, improving operational reliability of the existing equipment. Fewer economizer outages will reduce the need to use a back-up natural gas boiler, and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with it.
The combination of more efficient combustion and lower-temperature gas exiting the boiler will reduce emissions of dioxins and other substances associated with incomplete combustion. And the new gas monitoring system will provide ongoing feedback, which operators will use to continually optimize the performance of the upgraded boiler.
"I would like to congratulate the federal government for investing in the pulp and paper industry in British Columbia. The forest industry is the number one industry in this country and Canada is a leader in the world. We want to keep it that way," said Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae.
The project requires no new environmental permitting. The biomass that fuels PB4 is made up mostly of waste wood or "hog fuel", and is classified as a carbon-neutral fuel under international carbon accounting protocols and widely accepted standards. Port Alberni’s energy generation is also certified under the federal EcoLogo program.
The PPGTP is a federal program designed to support innovative projects with environmental and energy benefits in the Canadian pulp and paper industry. Catalyst qualified for $18 million in PPGTP credits.
