Norampac Trenton, Ontario, Canada

Norampac is the largest manufacturer of containerboard in Canada. Its Trenton mill produces 500 tons per day of corrugating medium from mixed hardwoods, semi-chem pulp and old corrugated containers (OCC). The mill is a zero effluent facility and is committed to the highest environmental standards and operating efficiency. Prior to installing the TRI spent liquor gasification system the mill had no chemical and energy recovery process. Spent liquor was stored in ponds and sold to local counties for use as a soil binder and dust suppressant on gravel and dirt roads. This practice was terminated in 2002. After reviewing all options for the processing of spent liquor, Norampac chose the TRI system because it would provide the capability for both chemical and energy recovery, have minimal environmental impact, have a scale-up and turndown capability to meet current and future mill needs, allow the mill to continue as a zero effluent operation, and be affordable.

The spent liquor gasifier is designed to processes 115 Metric tons per day of black liquor solids (at 40% moisture content). The chemicals are recovered and sent to the mill for pulping and the energy is recovered as steam which offsets the production of steam using purchased natural gas. The process started up in September of 2003. The project completed its performance test in April of 2005 and it completed air emissions testing in October 2006 thereby transitioning from commissioning to full commercial operation. The gasifier has logged more than 23,000 hours of operation.