Wood Pulp Mill Research Articles

Technological scheme of wood resources utilization model development

In the present work the justification of the urgency of solving the issue of environmental friendliness of materials produced from wood resources is given. The analysis of the production technology of semifinished wood-fiber products is carried out at the current stage of development of the board industry. The estimation of board formation properties of the wood fiber mass produced in disk blade grinding machines is given, and the inefficiency of the used equipment is substantiated. The expediency of using the equipment with cavitation effect as the second grinding stage in the production of wood pulp was substantiated. As a result, the purpose of the present work was the development of the technology for the production of the semifinished wood fiber product with the use of a rotor-pulsation apparatus as the second stage of the wood pulp mill. To achieve the goal, an analysis of modern technologies used in the production of fiberboard was carried out. The model of technological scheme of production of wood fiberboards by wet method in the environment of AnyLogic program package was developed. Based on the technological scheme developed, a dynamic model of the fiberboard production process was built using a rotor-pulsation apparatus in the second stage of wood pulp milling. In the course of research, statistical analysis methods and simulation modelling of technological processes were applied. The results obtained can find application in the production of fiberboard, as well as in the improvement of technological processes at the enterprises of the forest complex.

Impact of Environmental Risk Factors on Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Neuroinflammation, Protein Misfolding, and Oxidative Stress in the Etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease.

As a prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the neuropathological hallmark of the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DAergic) innervation and the appearance of Lewy bodies with aggregated α-synuclein. Although several familial forms of PD have been reported to be associated with several gene variants, most cases in nature are sporadic, triggered by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors. Numerous epidemiological studies during the past two decades have shown positive associations between PD and several environmental factors, including exposure to neurotoxic pesticides/herbicides and heavy metals as well as traumatic brain injury. Other environmental factors that have been implicated as potential risk factors for PD include industrial chemicals, wood pulp mills, farming, well-water consumption, and rural residence. In this review, we summarize the environmental toxicology of PD with the focus on the elaboration of chemical toxicity and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms associated with exposure to several neurotoxic chemicals, specifically 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), rotenone, paraquat (PQ), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), dieldrin, manganese (Mn), and vanadium (V). Our overview of the current findings from cellular, animal, and human studies of PD provides information for possible intervention strategies aimed at halting the initiation and exacerbation of environmentally linked PD.

Desalination by pulsed electrodialysis reversal: Approaching fully closed-loop water systems in wood pulp mills

A pulsed electrodialysis reversal (pEDR) process is proposed to desalinate spent water after particle removal, biological and chemical coagulation, which are commonly used as a sequence in Kraft pulp mills. pEDR affords closed-loop processing, reducing the need for freshwater intake while maintaining the quality of recirculating process streams. Compared with conventional electrodialysis, pEDR minimizes production losses (from 5 % to 0.6 %), extending the time for hydraulic reversal (from 15 min to at least 2 h). Simultaneously, the conductivity of the effluent is significantly reduced, from 2100 to 200 μS/cm, reaching a quality similar to the feed water. The operation cost (0.38 US$/m3) is factored in the techno-economic viability of the process water recirculation, which is also demonstrated for its scalability. Additionally, WinGEMS simulation highlights the benefits of installing a pEDR unit, positively impacting mill water under different recirculation rates. Overall, we show remarkable gains in water economy, operation (maintenance and fouling), and quality, which are critical factors in achieving resource sufficiency.

Modulation of monoamine neurotransmitters in fighting fish Betta splendens exposed to waterborne phytoestrogens

Endogenous estrogens are known to affect the activity of monoamine neurotransmitters in vertebrate animals, but the effects of exogenous estrogens on neurotransmitters are relatively poorly understood. We exposed sexually mature male fighting fish Betta splendens to environmentally relevant and pharmacological doses of three phytoestrogens that are potential endocrine disruptors in wild fish populations: genistein, equol, and β-sitosterol. We also exposed fish to two doses of the endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol, which we selected as a positive control because phytoestrogens are putative estrogen mimics. Our results were variable, but the effects were generally modest. Genistein increased dopamine levels in the forebrains of B. splendens at both environmentally relevant and pharmacological doses. The environmentally relevant dose of equol increased dopamine levels in B. splendens forebrains, and the pharmacological dose decreased norepinephrine (forebrain), dopamine (hindbrain), and serotonin (forebrain) levels. The environmentally relevant dose of β-sitosterol decreased norepinephrine and dopamine in the forebrain and hindbrain, respectively. Our results suggest that sources of environmental phytoestrogens, such as runoff or effluent from agricultural fields, wood pulp mills, and sewage treatment plants, have the potential to modulate neurotransmitter activity in free-living fishes in a way that could interfere with normal behavioral processes.

A Scandinavian chemical wood pulp mill. Part 1. Energy audit aiming at efficiency measures

A Swedish wood-pulp mill is surveyed in terms of energy supply and use in order to determine the energy-saving potential. Conservation measures are of increasing interest to Swedish industry, as energy prices have continued to rise in recent years. The electricity price particularly increased after the deregulation of the Scandinavian electricity market in 1996. The deregulation expanded to all of the EU in July 2004, which may increase the Swedish electricity price further until it reaches the generally higher European price level. Furthermore, oil prices have increased and the emissions trading scheme for CO 2 adds to the incentive to reduce oil consumption. The energy system at the surveyed pulp mill is described in terms of electricity and process heat production and use. The total energy-saving potential is estimated and some saving points are identified. The heat that today is wasted at the mill has been surveyed in order to find potential for heat integration or heat export. The result shows that the mill probably could become self-sufficient in electricity. Particularly important in that endeavour is updating old pumps.

A Scandinavian chemical wood-pulp mill. Part 2. International and model mills comparison

The energy use at a Swedish chemical wood-pulp mill is compared internationally and for two model mills that aim to use the most efficient available technology. The international comparison is performed between Canadian and Scandinavian pulp-mills on a general level, and on a closer level among eleven Swedish and Finnish non-integrated sulfate pulp-mills, the type of mill considered in the case study. The two model mills that are used for comparison are one Swedish and one Canadian. The Scandinavian pulp-mills are somewhat more energy efficient than the Canadian mills. Still, the variation in energy use is remarkably large among the Scandinavian mills, which indicates that the energy-saving potential is great. If all Swedish freestanding sulfate pulp-mills became as energy efficient as the most efficient Scandinavian mill, electricity savings corresponding to nearly 1% of the national electricity use would be obtained. In the model mills comparison it was found that large amounts of heat could be saved, particularly in the evaporation plant.

A tandem mass spectrometric study of selected characteristic flavonoids

A study of 14 flavonoids, monohydroxy- to pentahydroxy-substituted, has been carried out using electrospray ionization coupled with high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The flavonoids are of increasing interest due to their biological activity and, in particular, those isoflavones that are phytoestrogens. This study is presented in two parts. First, the product ion mass spectra of [M−H]− of the 14 flavonoids and of [M+H]+ of naringenin and galangin are discussed broadly in terms of five common fragmentation processes. Second, the identification of genistein in wood pulp, in untreated waste water, and in treated (or final) effluent from a wood pulp mill is described.

Nokia Game: Brand Experience Campaign in Europe

Nokia, the Finnish-originated telecommunications company, is one of the organisations that pairs a long, traditional history to a highly innovative present. Nokia's history dates back to 1865 when a mining engineer established a wood-pulp mill in southern Finland and began manufacturing paper. Since then, Nokia has evolved dramatically, first growing into a conglomerate consisting of industries ranging from paper to chemicals, rubber, and electronics, then streamlining into a dynamic telecommunications company, which brought the company global success in a relatively short period of time during the 90s. The history of the company reflects its ability to recognize and exploit new opportunities, emerging from continuous market and technological changes. Making the right decisions at the right time indeed proves to breed success. Located in 50 countries with over 60,000 employees, Nokia sells mobile phones in 130 countries, phones which are manufactured in ten countries on three continents. This all proves to be very profitable business. In February 2000, the company reported the strongest annual (1999) operating results in its history, with net sales increasing by 48 per cent (to EUR 19.722m) and operating profit growing by 57 per cent (to EUR 3.908m). Commenting on the results, Jorma Ollila, Nokia's Chairman and CEO, said, ‘Our sound competitive position, comprehensive product portfolio and innovative solutions, strong brand, and highly efficient global operations have driven our profitability growth. We will continue to focus on these areas to enhance our leadership in creating the Mobile Information Society.’

A Comparative Study of Chemithermomechanical and Kraft Wood Pulp Extracts

Abstract Wood pulp mill effluents continue to attract much attention due to environmental consequences. However, in comparison, very little work has been published on wood pulp extracts. In this study chemithermo-mechanical pulps (CTMP) as well as Kraft (sulphate) pulps were Soxhlet-extracted with three solvents of different polarity. Per cent extractives into the three solvents per air dried wood pulp were used as one of the bases for comparison. Analysis by gas chromatography (GC) using both a flame ionization detector (FID) and a mass selective detector (MSD) was performed. Significantly greater quantities of volatile extract were found with CTMP pulps than with Kraft pulps.

Environmental factors in the etiology of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed to result from the interaction of aging and environment in susceptible individuals. Defective metabolism of debrisoquine, inherited as an autosomal recessive, has been associated with this susceptibility. In 35 PD patients and 19 age-matched controls, no significant differences in debrisoquine metabolism were found, although a trend to impaired metabolism was noted in patients with disease onset less than or equal to 40. Foci of PD patients were associated with rural living and well water drinking, or rural living coupled with market gardening or wood pulp mills. In a questionnaire survey, patients with PD onset less than or equal to age 47 were significantly more likely to have lived in rural areas and to have drunk well water than those with onset greater than or equal to age 54 (p less than or equal to 0.01). Because of population mobility in North America, a case-control study designed to test environmental, occupational, dietary and other proposed risk factors for PD was conducted in China, where the population is more stationary and the environment more stable. No significant differences in incidences of head trauma, smoking or childhood measles were found between patients and controls.

パルプ工場におけるプロセス開発の原動力，エネルギーの問題

Review of the impact that the increasing cost of energy has had on the pulp mill process is given, and various data are available.Energy balance of logical or hypothetical kraft pulp mills is discussed in comparison of old and modernized types. As to the process development for medium consistency pulping, the ideal ultimate solution would be that the digester pressure moves the pulp at blow consistency to storage through washingh, screening and bleaching. Many other process developments in pulp industry are described.It is startling how different results can emerge from the interaction between process selection and the cost of fuel and power in the hypothetical mills, which can be seen guided by internal pricing of enegy.We do already have the knowledge to build a wood pulp mill which is entirely independent of both fossile fuel and external power, and has a substantial excess of both heat and power. The process can be developed so, that the heat demand is reduced to about 50%, and the power demand to about 65% of the present in regard to the present average mill.

The canadian research reactors and their uses

The heart of the programme at Chalk River is the high-flux, heavy-water-moderated NRX reactor. The primary aim justifying this and the even more costly NRU reactor is to explore the possibilities of deriving low-cost electricity from nuclear energy. This aim is not, however, pursued narrowly and the reactors are used to foster basic research in nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, radiation physics, chemistry and biology. Since separated fissile material has high intrinsic value in atomic energy research, emphasis has been and still is given to the production of plutonium and uranium-233 as well as to certain radioisotopes, tritium and cobalt among others. Nuclear power will become important within Canada only if it is cheaper than power from the present-day alternatives. The more costly of these are coal in Ontario, coal and oil in the Maritime Provinces, and oil in remote industrial installations such as mines and wood-pulp mills. Coal in Ontario at $8/ton and contributing 3 mills/kWh to the cost of electricity, sets the major target. Results obtained in the NRX reactor indicate that once the large development costs have been worked off nuclear power costs will be definitely lower than this target. Canada is relatively rich in uranium and must immediately consider the particular requirements of foreign as well as domestic consumers. Consequently the research remains broad, and very full programmes lie ahead, not only for the NRX reactor, but also for ZEEP which is mostly used for measurements on fuel arrangements, and a proposed PTR (Swimming-Pool Test Reactor) which will take over the function of ZEEP for measuring reactivity effects of materials, particularly after irradiation. The most powerful and versatile research reactor is, however, the NRU, a heavy-water-cooled and moderated, high-flux reactor, which should be in operation in 1956.

Prince Rupert, British Columbia

I RINCE RUPERT is a frontier port on the north Pacific coast. Located at the western end of the Canadian pioneer fringe and hemmed in on the north by the Alaskan Panhandle and the unproductive highlands of northern British Columbia, it is the potential outlet for the northwestern margin of the advancing American agricultural frontier (Figure 1). Prince Rupert is young, younger than the Alaskan ports that were founded during the gold rush at the turn of the century. Yet, in, the short time since the city was incorporated (1910), its dominant functions and cultural landscape forms have undergone marked changes. Prince Rupert was designed and built to function as a potential world port, the Pacific terminus of the new National Transcontinental-Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Soon (1920) the railway became bankrupt and was taken over by the Canadian National Government and operated on a smaller scale. The young city, thus deprived of its chief financial support, and further handicapped by slow development of its hinterland, never became an important commercial center. Prince Rupert has continued to function chiefly as a fish shipping port and center of local trade and government. At present an attempt is being made to secure bonds for the construction of a wood pulp mill within the city. The establishment of this new industry would change again the economic life of the community. Changes in the function of Prince Rupert have caused changes in the cultural landscape. Areas planned for one use have been diverted to another or remain unoccupied. Erection of the pulp mill would cause further readjustment. The purposes of this study are to state, and, so far as possible to explain, the origin, location, metamorphosis, and probable further development of Prince Rupert. Emphasis will be placed upon dominant activities, or functions, and their objective expressions in the morphology of the cultural landscape.