Efficiencies and Risk Mitigation for the Pulp & Paper Industry

Columbia Analytical work in close conjunction with our pulp and paper industry partners to identify ways to maximize cost efficiencies, decrease overall analytical costs when possible, pinpoint potential product problems and mitigate environmental liability. The following are descriptions of some of our efforts in these areas.

• Perform informal “reasonableness” reviews with consultants and our Pulp and Paper clients to identify potential sources of specific contaminants that may be detected at a site. Many times if the presence of a contaminate does not seem reasonable we are able to analytically identify the real culprit behind the suspect identification. Some examples are:
  • We were able to prove that the tests used at a former wood waste disposal site showing the presence of diesel fuel, were in actuality showing the presence of naturally occurring organic compounds derived from wood waste. Use of different analytical methodology saved our client the costs of an expensive and unnecessary remediation effort.
  • During a recent Method 8081 analysis of an effluent sample for pesticide residues we suspected that the positive response was due to the presence of chlorinated compounds other than pesticides. We confirmed our suspicion through the use of GC/MS/MS techniques and were able to prove that pesticides were not present. This averted any potential regulatory concern.
  • In a remediation project we were able to develop a concise and accurate method (for lignin degradation products) to clearly distinguish between the impact from strip mine spoils and landfill wood waste in groundwater, both present at the site. The data was used to predict the mobility of the landfilled waste components. As a result it became possible to differentiate the potential influence of landfilling activities from strip mining spoils activity
  • Developed a method to detect pentachloroanisole, which potentially interferes with the analysis of pentachlorophen
• Review regulatory permits: A recent review of testing procedures being requested compared to regulatory agency requirements lead to a 20% cost savings for our client by specifying a less expensive, but no less sensitive, method. Columbia Analytical worked directly with the regulatory agency on our client’s behalf
• Provide process and product analytical support. We recently identified and measured contamination of process chemicals (e.g. anthraquinone impurities and dibenzofuran contamination of petroleum products) for a client.

Columbia Analytical is committed to meeting the needs of the pulp and paper industry.