Technical Bulletin No. 0079: Application of Light Transmissometry and Indicating Sodium Ion Measurement to Continuous Particulate Monitoring in the Pulping Industry (AQTB)

The attached technical bulletin summarizes the findings of laboratory and field studies of continuous particulate monitoring carried out in cooperation with member mills. The work reported in this bulletin was conducted by Kenneth Hood, Research Engineer and Rodney Schmall, former Research Engineer, under the direction of Andre L. Caron, Regional Engineer, West Coast Regional Center. The study focused initially on applications of several continuous particulate emission monitoring approaches at kraft recovery furnaces, and also reviews the current extent of use of the investigated monitoring methods at this and other particulate emission sources in the pulp and paper industry. One phase of the investigation focused on measurement of the light transmission properties of kraft recovery furnace flue gas as an indication of the particulate matter concentration present. Another portion of the investigation dealt with monitoring sodium, the dominant component of particulate in kraft furnace, smelt tank and lime kiln emissions. This monitoring principle was examined as employed in two equipment designs. The first industry efforts in this direction were undertaken at the Georgia-Pacific Toledo mill. Subsequently a design with improved sample collection and transport features was developed by James Leonard of the Weyerhaeuser Company and is now commercially available.