[en] Research on sago starch modification has been carried out to the form of starch nanoparticles. Starch nanoparticles is very potential to be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, bioplastics and paper industries, as surface sizing, biodegradable coatings or adhesives. The technology of nanoparticle production has been quite developed, but there are some disadvantages, such as small yield, long processing time, expensive production equipment, and limited availability. The purpose of this study is to modify the efficient and applicable method to produce starch nanoparticles in the scale of mini plant. Method modification specified is a combination treatment of hydrolysis - high shear homogenization. This method has succeeded to obtain starch nanoparticles with 70% yield, and 36% crystallinity. The particle size obtained ranges from 118.6 nm. The optimal production process is obtained in 24 hours hydrolysis treatment and 3 hours of homogenization. The production cost of starch nanoparticles is 1.430,000 / kg. (paper)

[en] Recycling of paper mill sludge by means of composting is becoming an acceptable practice for converting organic residues into useful soil amendments, while eliminating negative environmental impacts. The main chemical structures of paper mill sludge composted materials produced by industrial-scale and pilot-scale in-vessel processes were investigated in order to better understand the chemical changes occurring during composting. Chemical and spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the composition of the paper mill sludge composted materials. The spectroscopic data revealed that the major components identified in the paper mill sludge were lipids, sterols, lignins, nitrogen-compounds, and carbohydrates. In the pilot-scale process, organic matter loss was approximately 50% higher than in the industrial-scale process. By the end of composting, the concentrations of nitrogen-compounds remained relatively unchanged in the pilot-scale process, whereas in the industrial-scale process, nitrogen-compounds continually decreased indicating that the biochemical transformations of organic matter were not completed. Thus, composting of paper mill sludge can be successfully achieved if key operating parameters are optimized to reduce losses of nitrogen. (author)

[en] Using the two criteria of potential CO₂ reduction and cost of CO₂ reduction, technical energy measures in Swedish pulp and paper mills are investigated. Principal CO₂-reducing measures analysed are: decreased specific energy utilisation, fuel switch, and CO₂ capture and sequestration. Among the investigated measures, conventional technologies for electricity conservation and improved electrical conversion efficiency in existing systems for cogeneration of heat and power are identified as the most cost-effective alternatives that also have large CO₂ reduction potentials. For commercially available technologies, the results indicate an accumulated reduction potential of up to 8 MtCO₂/y (14% of the Swedish net emissions). If emerging technologies for black liquor gasification (BLG) with pre-combustion CO₂ capture and sequestration are considered, the CO₂ reduction potential increases by up to 6 MtCO₂/y (10% of the Swedish net emissions). Commercialised BLG, CO₂ capture and reliable CO₂ sequestration technologies are identified as important potential contributors to Swedish compliance with Kyoto Protocol targets, especially in a scenario of nuclear power closure. (author)

[en] The structure of the lignocellulosic materials and the chemical composition of their main constitutive polymers, cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin are described. The most promising transformation processes according to the type of biomass considered: hardwood, softwood an herbaceous and the perspectives of biotechnological processes for bio pulping, bio bleaching and effluents decolorisation in the paper pulp industry are also discussed. (Author) 7 refs

[en] Highlights: • The paper examined the energy efficiency performance of Indian paper industry. • Both radial (BCC) and the non-radial (SBM) measures of energy efficiency, were applied. • BCC measure reported an energy saving potential of 16%. • SBM measure reported an energy saving potential of 24%, higher than BCC measure. • Scale efficiency implied the relatively higher contribution of pure energy inefficiency. This study aims at to make a heuristic analysis of energy efficiency performance of Indian paper industry in a non-parametric production theoretic approach. Using the data for 2004–05 to 2013–14, radial and non-radial variants of DEA were employed to estimate energy saving potential and identify the relative position of paper industry across the states. Preliminary analysis in terms of energy intensity scores showed declining trends of energy intensity over the period of analysis for most of the states except states like Assam, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Punjab where it does not decline much. Assuming a variable returns to scale (VRS) technology under the conditions of inherent heterogeneity and market imperfection, the slack-based measure (SBM) reported a much higher energy saving potential than reported by other measures in the study. Further by taking scale efficiency into account, the study documented the higher contribution of pure energy inefficiency in explaining the total energy inefficiency within the paper industry relative to scale inefficiency. Finally, the study recommends the propagation of energy efficiency program through a market-based and regulatory mechanism along with consolidation and technological advancement of individual units, in order to tap vast energy saving potential and thereby ensure the growth and environmental sustainability.

[en] An energy study was performed at Pulpa Cuba Paper Mill, located in Sancti Spiritus, where an energy management system was applied according to NC: ISO 50001, in order to assess the energy system by applying energy management systems for energy and water reduction in the paper mill, in which the current steam generation, distribution and consumption system is diagnosed. The proposal of a modified energy scheme with 1 MW Backpressure Steam Turbine Generator and rehabilitation of the original boiler or installing a lower capacity boiler contributes to save financial resources by the concept of water, fuel and electricity. The implementation of four projects will save 3,095,574 CUC / y and an average payback period of about 1 year is expected. (author)

[en] Lignin has great potential for the production of valuable aromatic compounds and has attracted considerable attention. The development of high value applications for Kraft lignin would boost the profitability of pulp and paper operations. A potential solution is the pyrolytic conversion of lignin to valuable liquids and solids. However, Kraft lignin is a thermally sensitive powder which tends to agglomerate under pyrolysis conditions. A mechanically fluidized reactor (MFR) can be used to monitor both the generation of vapours and gas during pyrolysis and how cohesive a feedstock becomes when pyrolyzed. The MFR was, therefore, used to evaluate alternative solutions to improve Kraft lignin behaviour by mixing it with non-problematic feedstocks or by modifying its bed material. Finally, Kraft lignin behaviour and products were compared to those of hydrolysis lignins from different origins. (author)

[en] Microbial deposits (slime or biofilm) formation is one of the most important problems in the paper industry. Slime formation cause a reduction of the final product quality (spots, holes, odors), as well as in the production and equipment life, due to a greater number of web breaks, down time for cleaning and maintenance of the machinery, corrosion, etc. Microbiologically-induced corrosion cause and important economic losses due to the reduction of the equipment life. In microbially-induced corrosion studies is basic the rapid and precise determination of the evolution of slime growth on metallic surfaces. Thus, the goal of the present work have been the development of a methodology that leads to characterize the population of aerobic bacteria that compose the slimes of a board mill by means of multi parametric flow cytometry, using two different angles of light scattering and the total protein content as parameters as first step of the studies of microbiologically-induced corrosion. (Author) 13 refs

[en] The main advantage of excimer lasers when processing materials, its the emission of a radiation with wavelength in the ultraviolet region. This characteristics allows an extremely accurate and very well defined shape of material removal as well as total absence of heat affected zone and alterations in the material structure. In excimer laser paper and parchment cleaning, the mud is removed by breaking the physical-chemical bonding between this last one and the material to be cleaned not affecting neither its structure nor the chromatic pigment existing in some samples. (Author) 3 refs

[en] Present investigation was carried out to assay the effects of industrial effluents on different varieties of soybean. For that purpose Textile effluent and Paper and Board effluent were chosen. Concentrations used for both the effluents were 0, 10, 20, 40 and 60%. On the other hand 5 varieties of Glycine max viz., PSC-82, NARC-2, NARC-5, NARC-7 and William-82 were used. Physicochemical characteristics of these effluents revealed that both of them contained high amounts of sulphates, nitrates, calcium, various heavy metals etc., while DO was very low, which confirms their highly polluted conditions. Maximum improvement in seedling length was found in 60% of textile effluent (NARC-2, NARC-7 and Williams-82), and in paper and board effluent (NARC-2, NARC-5 and NARC-7). For others varieties, lower concentrations enhanced the growth. Number of leaves was unaffected and remained same in all concentrations of the two effluents. Overall seedling lengths of PSC-62, NARC-2 and NARC-5 were comparatively longer in paper and board effluent as compared to textile effluent but it was other way round for the varieties NARC-7 and Williams-82, while there was no set pattern for the weight parameters. (author)