UPM updates water processes at Jämsänkoski and Kaipola mills in Finland

ESPOO, Finland, Jan. 25, 2010 (Press Release) - New systems are for aerating, mixing and cooling of equalization basins at both of the factories, called Jokilaakson tehtaat (factories of the river valley). They were delivered by a young, innovative finnish company called Waterix. Old fashioned cooling towers are stopped now at both of the factories.

At Jämsänkoski mill, five AIRIT 700®-floating high speed surface aerators together with two COOLIT 16000®-floating spray coolers were mounted in the equalization basin last summer. They cool and aerate the process water in the equalization basin so that bacteria can eat the nutrients effectively in good conditions.

The new high-speed surface aerators are also acting as strong mixers avoiding sludge to settle in the bottom of the equalization basin. What is especially new in these devices, is their large intake pipe made of plastic and good efficiency in oxygen production.

After good results from Jämsänkoski, UPM decided to order also 13 AIRIT 700®-floating high speed surface aerators to their Kaipola-mill.

These new patented systems have replaced cooling towers in both of the mills and downward blowing aerators as well as submersible, mixing aerators.

Significant energy savings achieved with these new systems were one of the motives for investing in new technology.

After treatment, the effluent from Jämsänkoski mill is conducted to Jämsä-river, which in turn discharges to lake Päijänne. From Kaipola the treated effluent is discharged directly to lake Päijänne. The whole Helsinki region, more than 1 million people, gets its drinking water from lake Päijänne.