Interview with Mr.C.Soundara Rajan, Energy Manager, Sripathi Paper & Boards
Sripathi Paper & Boards Pvt. Ltd was started in the year 2002 producing Kraft paper with a 30 Tons Per Day capacity. Within a short span of time, the capacity at our Unit at Sivakasi, Tamilnadu was increased to 50 Tons Per Day in 2007. During the same year the company also ventured into production of Duplex Board with a 140 Tons Per Day Machines.
Paper Desk : How much water is typically used in your paper mill’s production process, and how do you measure and monitor water usage across different stages of production?
C.Soundara Rajan : Specific Water Consumption (m3/ton of Paper) of our PM1 (Kraft) is 2.40, PM2 (Duplex) is 1.80, PM3 (Newsprint) is 2.43, PM4 (Duplex) is 1.78, PM5 (Newsprint, W&P) is about 6.5.
Measurement: Flow meters are installed at various source points and recorded the data on daily basis.
WTP: Installing flow meters at inlet, outlet and regeneration / flushing points to monitor and controlling can be done.
ETP: Installing flow meters at Inlet and outlet to track the usage pattern w.r.t production.
PD : What technologies and strategies has your mill implemented to reduce water consumption effectively?
CS : a) Dissolve Air Flotation(DAF) technology is implemented
b) Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Strategies is implemented
c) Recycling and Reuse to process
PD : How does your mill approach water recycling, and what percentage of water is generally reused within your production process?
CS :
- Process effluent is being recycled by appropriate treatment and consumed in process pulping application.
- 98% of the water is reused with the help of water clarification by DAF method and rest of the 2% is disposed as sludge.
PD : What types of final water treatment processes does your mill use, and how do you ensure compliance with environmental standards?
CS : Since we are in ZLD concept there wont be any effluent discharge
PD : How does your team maintain water quality throughout the production process, and what challenges do you face in doing so?
CS : Clarifier, DAF with chemical additives. Reduction of TDS is the challenge.
PD : What are the primary sources of water pollution in your mill’s papermaking process, and what measures are in place to mitigate these effects?
CS : TDS, TSS, BOD & COD-ZLD is mitigated for above.
PD : How do fluctuations in water availability, such as during droughts, impact your production process, and what contingency plans does your mill have in place?
CS : We have 5 days freshwater storage capacity to run the machines.
PD : How does your mill handle wastewater, and what methods do you use to minimize its impact on local ecosystems?
CS : Process return water is through closed channels and pipelines to avoid impact to ecosystems.
PD : What role does regulation play in water management at your mill, and how do you adapt to changing regulations on water usage and discharge?
CS : Monthly visit by TNPCB for fresh water & Recycled process water quality to ensure the regulations.
PD : Could you share any recent innovations your mill has implemented in water management, and how have they affected sustainability and operational costs?
CS : a) Rainwater harvesting to pond and utilized for process
b) Planned treated sewage water for process
c) Less water consuming aerators for wash basins.
