Environmental Controls
Complex, highly technological paper manufacturing is subject to constant change and requires sophisticated environmental controls related to the large volumes of chemicals and water used in the process.
- Investment of many millions of dollars in state-of-the-art air, water and solid-waste environmental controls through the years has helped establish Longview Fibre as a pulp and paper industry leader in concern for the environment.
- In complying with environmental regulations, the Company has a long-standing commitment to maintaining environmental quality and has consistently implemented pollution-control equipment before regulatory deadlines. The first electrostatic precipitators were installed on recovery furnaces at our Longview mill in the 1930's.
- An example of Longview Fibre's environmental focus is investment in an approximate $5 million fish-conservation enhancement operation at our Longview mills which assists the overall Columbia River salmon-recovery effort.
- Professionals on our Environmental Services staff manage and monitor the Pollution-Prevention Program at the Longview mill and all other company plants. This program monitoring includes testing and analysis of air, water emissions and solid-waste handling. Longview Fibre constantly works to further reduce emissions.
The kraft process is an expensive method of producing pulp, and it is only through efficient recovery and reuse of chemicals that it is economically feasible. At Longview Fibre particulate matter is cleaned from air emissions through equipping the chemical-recovery furnaces and lime kilns with electrostatic precipitators and wet scrubbers.
Other emission controls include special equipment installed to eliminate about 99% of odorous gases that evolve from kraft pulpmaking.
Up to 60 million gallons of water are purified daily through an extensive primary and secondary water-treatment system. Mill effluents pass through the secondary treatment operation which bubbles oxygen into the water. Then the oxygen-enriched water is returned to the Columbia River with virtually all oxygen-absorbing materials removed, helping assure that the river stays clean for fish and for public recreational uses. The extracted sludge is dewatered and utilized as fuel by burning in the steam plant providing energy for the mill.
The design and development efforts of a professional staff of engineers and scientists contribute significantly to Longview Fibre being a pacesetter in environmental controls and in all phases of pulp and paper making.
