Engineering assessment of system closure options for an older integrated newsprint mill

We evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of eliminating the cont aminated effluent discharge from an older integrated newsprint mill. Closur e options were developed to reduce the effluent flow to 10, 5 and 2 m(3)/t. We applied the best technology available in the early 1990s and adopted se veral innovative approaches. Effluent processing was by evaporation and com bustion to allow water recycling. The system closure approach had a higher capital cost and a lower operating cost than biological treatment and disch arge. However, the operating cost savings were not large enough to offset t he higher capital cost.