Explosions Due to Hydrogen and Hydrogen Sulfide Build-up
As paper mills have begun to close up their water systems and move toward zero effluent discharge, they are finding that closing a mill’s water system can lead to changes in a mill’s water chemistry. These can include a build-up of nutrients which can increase the amount of microbes in a mill’s system. In the absence of oxygen that might be found in tanks, chests, and pipes, anaerobic bacteria can thrive.
When certain types of anaerobic bacteria break down the organic material found in a mill, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen gases can be formed and released. One group of anaerobic bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria or SRB, produce hydrogen sulfide gas as a byproduct of their metabolic process. Other anaerobic bacteria, including clostridia, produce hydrogen gas as a byproduct of their metabolic processes.
Both these gases, if present in sufficient amounts, can be a safety concern — particularly for explosions — in a paper mill. Monitoring for these gases can help detect harmful levels of the gases before incident occurs.
RPTA issued Technical Bulletin 16, Hydrogen and Hydrogen Sulfide Gases, which provides guidance on monitoring for these gases.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board issued a Bulletin that provides guidance on hot work in such areas.
LATEST NEWS
Industry Benchmarking Survey
Sampling and sample preparation are complete for the 2025 Profile Study. Samples from 51 paper machines, collected during the first quarter, were blind-coded before shipping to test labs. Report will be issued in early September. All past Survey reports can be accessed at this member-only page.
2025 Production-Technical Seminar
On May 5 and 6, 2025, we held our annual production-technical seminar. For the first time, our seminar content was embedded into TAPPICon, instead of being co-located with it. RPTA members attending provided positive feedback regarding the new format.
In addition to technical presentations, RPTA members had the opportunity to network with other members at our RPTA Lunch, Roundtable Breakfast, and Networking Room.
RPTA members can access the RPTA presentations at this member-only site.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summer Webinar
On July 16th, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm Eastern time, join us to hear from a diverse and experienced panel who will share their career paths, insights, lessons learned, and inspiration. This event is exclusive for employees of RPTA member companies and was recommended by the RPTA Young Professionals Task Team.
Based on input from our membership, the RPTA Operating Board selected these technical topics for Educational Events over the next year: Refiners; Waste Reduction; Coating Formulation and Application; Environmental; and Stickies Mitigation. Stay tuned for dates, times and locations.