For its No. 6 paper machine, Fraser Paper Co., Madawaska, Maine, has started up low vacuum drainage elements and a control system from AES Engineered Systems.

For the No. 1 paper machine at its Richmond, Va., mill, Sonoco Products has contracted with the Lawton Co. for the supply of new gearing.

Simpson Paper, Tacoma, Wash., has purchased V.I.D. forming systems technology from AES Engineered Systems. This equipment has been installed on its No. 14 linerboard machine.

Domtar Papers, Ottawa, Ont., has contracted with the Lawton Co. for the supply of new spare nylon rings for the gearing on its paper machine.

Willamette Industries, Hawesville, Ky., has ordered a new MasterJet headbox from Voith Sulzer for its No. 1 paper machine. The No. 1 paper machine produces corrugated medium in a basis weight range of 98 g/m² to 160 g/m² with a design speed of 760 m/min and wire width of 4,470 mm. Startup is scheduled for April 2001.

Austell Boxboard, Austell, Ga., has contracted with the Lawton Co. for an evaluation of the power train on its No. 1 paper machine. Lawton will review and analyze current and projected horsepower requirements, line shaft components, and critical speeds. Austell Boxboard has also contracted with the Lawton Co. for the design and manufacture of new pulleys to upgrade the speed potential on the No. 1 paper machine at Austell.

Rayonier, Jesup, Ga., has ordered a new d.c. drive system upgrade from Avtron Manufacturing for its Unit C pulp machine. The engineered turnkey system includes new d.c. drives, HMI, and fiber optic Ethernet communications, including connectivity with the millwide information system.

Abitibi-Consolidated, Kenora, Ont., has contracted with the Lawton Co. to supply refilled nylon rings on the existing gearing of the No. 9 paper machine.

SAPPI, Skowhegan, Maine, has started up six Thermo-Jet dryer fabric cleaning showers from AES Engineered Systems for its No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 paper machines.

At its Chihuahua, Mexico, mill, Papelera de Chihuahua has contracted with the Lawton Co. for the supply of new gearing.

Boise Cascade Wins Environmental, Energy Awards

Innovative projects at two Boise Cascade Corp. pulp and paper mills have garnered 1999 Environmental and Energy Achievement Awards from the American Forest & Paper Assn. (AF&PA). AF&PA presented Boise Cascade’s mill in International Falls, Minn., an award in the Energy Management and Innovation category for the mill’s industry-leading Methane de-NOX project. AF&PA also presented Boise Cascade’s mill in Jackson, Ala., an award in the Air Quality Management category for its anaerobic treatment of pulping condensates.

The International Falls project marks the first time the Methane de-NOX technology, developed by the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT), has been used on a stationary-grate, bark-fired boiler. The process triples the amount of biosolids that can be used as fuel, cuts natural gas use by at least 25%, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by about 40%, and saves the mill at least $500,000 a year in energy and waste disposal costs. “With some fine-tuning, we expect to reap even greater benefits in the future,” said Jay Lofgren, senior engineer at the mill.

The Methane de-NOX process was installed in partnership with IGT, the Gas Research Institute, the Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Detroit Stoker Co., The U.S. Dept. of Energy, and others, who shared in the costs and technology.

Using technology that is first of its kind in the industry, Boise Cascade’s pulp and paper mill in Jackson has installed an anaerobic reactor to treat pulping condensates in order to reduce emissions of methanol. Anaerobic bacteria convert the methanol to methane. “In contrast with other potential solutions, the anaerobic technology offers numerous benefits,” said Trey Wilson, environmental manager in Jackson. For example, operating costs are lower, and the process does not require additional energy sources or pollution control equipment. Instead of producing a waste stream, as other methods would have, the anaerobic reactor supplies methane gas, which displaces the use of fossil fuels in mill boilers.