New equipment was installed to increase the mill s production of chlorine dioxide and this bleaching chemical was used to substitute for 100 percent of chlorine use in the bleach plant. The conversion to ECF bleaching has eliminated the potential for the formation of dioxin compounds in the bleach plant effluent. The mill has also reduced chlorine and chloroform emissions. The ECF project helps the mill meet pending EPA Cluster Rule waste water regulations. Implementation of ECF has improved safety at the millsite.
Chlorine is a hazardous gas that is strongly corrosive.
Because the material is typically handled in gaseous form, there is a potential for leaks and employee exposure. Eliminating chlorine gas from the process has eliminated this hazard. Chlorine is shipped in 90-ton railcars to the mill. Elimination of chlorine as a bleaching chemical has reduced hazards associated with potential emergency releases at the facility and also reduced the potential for a hazardous material emergency from railcar traffic in the surrounding community. Local emergency planning committees have been able to modify their response plan to account this change.