Abstract:

A considerable amount of waste biomass is generated in the pulp and paper industry which, in the case of landfilling poses a serious burden to the environment. The waste can be utilized as raw material in the production of various products and fuels including combustion with recovery of energy. The physical and chemical properties of various streams of biomass waste in the production of fibrous pulp and paper were examined. It was documented that most of the dry waste display quality parameters close to those of lignite or even coal. A high content of water, which is to be removed to attain a high calorific value, is a drawback of the unprocessed waste. This disadvantage can be excluded by elaboration of energy recovery systems as an alternative to traditional incineration. Such systems used in the utilization of other waste streams are presently being adapted to the waste of the pulp and paper industry. Apart from the physical-chemical identification of the waste, a review was made of commercialized and potential methods to recover energy or substance.