| Sustainable Low-Carbon Paper Production from Sugarcane Bagasse through Chemical and Energy Recovery: A Green Chemistry and Circular Economy Approach |
| کد مقاله : 1379-ICOC |
| نویسندگان |
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منصور زکیان *1، شبنم قهرمانیان2، شاهین دشتستانی نژاد3، افشین رضایی شاد4 1مدیرعامل 2مدیر مهندسی مکانیک 3مدیر تامین 4مدیرپروژه |
| چکیده مقاله |
| The pulp and paper industry is a highly resource-intensive sector with considerable environmental impacts due to extensive use of wood, energy, and chemicals, along with greenhouse gas emissions and persistent pollutants. This study assesses paper production from sugarcane bagasse in the Khoozestan Green Paper project, emphasizing sustainable process design, environmental performance, and economic feasibility within a circular economy framework. The Khoozestan Green Paper project processes about 960 tons of depithed sugarcane bagasse per day, corresponding to nearly 316,800 tons annually over 330 operating days. It is designed for a nominal paper production capacity of 320,000 BDt (Bon Dry Ton) per year, with an effective output of approximately 240,000 ADt (r Dry Ton). The process encompasses two major packages. The pulp production package includes the Digester, the Fiber Line (445 t/d of the bleached pulp)—comprising brown stock washing, screening and cleaning, oxygen delignification, and chlorine dioxide bleaching—and the Bleaching Chemical Preparation Unit, which incorporates both the O₂ Plant (500 Nm3/h) and the ClO₂ Plant (8.8 t/d of ClO2). Complementing this, the chemical recovery package recovers over 90% of chemicals, reducing AOX formation, effluent toxicity, and solid waste, which consists of the Evaporation Plant 260 t/h), the Recovery Boiler (700 tDs/d), and the Cooking Chemical Supply System, which integrates the Causticizing System (1700 m3/d with 110 g/l of active Alkali) and the Lime Kiln (170 t/d). Together, these packages ensure efficient pulp production, effective chemical utilization, and sustainable resource recovery within the circular economy framework. Life cycle assessment shows that conventional paper production emits about 0.95 t CO₂-eq per ton. Replacing wood with sugarcane bagasse and recovering energy from black liquor can reduce emissions by roughly 15%. At an annual output of 240,000 tons, this corresponds to a reduction of about 28,800–45,600 t CO₂-eq, yielding an estimated economic benefit of 1.4–6.8 million USD under carbon pricing assumptions. At the macroeconomic level, domestic production of 240,000 tons of paper can replace imports worth about 300 million USD annually, strengthening supply security and the national value chain. Moreover, utilizing sugarcane bagasse within a circular economy enables value-added products such as methanol. Diverting 10% of the feedstock could yield around 18,000 tons per year, generating 5–6 million USD in extra revenue and enhancing project sustainability. |
| کلیدواژه ها |
| Sugarcane bagasse; Sustainable paper production; Environmental chemistry; Circular economy |
| وضعیت: پذیرفته شده |