Deinking sludge utilization possibilities: technical, economic, and environmental assessments

This report introduces the ENPI project called “EMIR - Exploitation of Municipal and Industrial Residues” which was executed in a co-operation between Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSUE), Saint Petersburg State Technical University of Plant Polymers (SPbSTUPP) and industrial partners from both Leningrad Region (LR), Russia and Finland. The main targets of the research were to identify the possibilities for deinking sludge management scenarios in co-operation with partner companies, to compare the sustainability of the alternatives, and to provide recommendations for the companies in the Leningrad Region on how to best manage deinking sludge. During the literature review, 24 deinking sludge utilization possibilities were identified, the majority falling under material recovery. Furthermore, 11 potential utilizers of deinking sludge were found within the search area determined by the transportation cost. Each potential utilizer was directly contacted in order to establish cooperation for deinking sludge utilization. Finally, four companies, namely, “Finnsementti” – a cement plant in Finland (S1), “St.Gobian Weber” – a light-weight aggregate plant in Finland (S2), “LSR-Cement” – a cement plant in LR (S3), and “Rockwool” – a stone wool plant in LR (S4) were seen as the most promising partners and were included in the economic and environmental assessments. Economic assessment using cost-benefit analysis (CBA) indicated that substitution of heavy fuel oil with dry deinking sludge in S2 was the most feasible option with a benefit/cost ratio (BCR) of 3.6 when all the sludge was utilized. At the same time, the use of 15% of the total sludge amount (the amount that could potentially be treated in the scenario) resulted in a BCR of only 0.16. The use of dry deinking sludge in the production of cement (S3) is a slightly more feasible option with a BCR of 1.1. The use of sludge in stone wool production is feasible only when all the deinking sludge is used and burned in an existing incineration plant. The least economically feasible utilization possibility is the use of sludge in cement production in Finland (S1) due to the high gate fee charged. Environmental assessment was performed applying internationally recognized life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies: ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The results of a consequential LCA stated that only S1 and S2 lead to a reduction of all environmental impacts within the impact categories chosen compared to the baseline scenario where deinking sludge is landfilled. Considering S1, the largest reduction of 13% was achieved for the global warming potential (GWP), whereas for S2, the largest decrease of abiotic depletion potential (ADP) was by 1.7%, the eutrophication potential (EP) by 1.8%, and a GWP of 2.1% was documented. In S3, the most notable increase of ADP and acidification potential (AP) by 2.6 and 1.5% was indicated, while the GWP was reduced by 12%, the largest out of all the impact categories. In S4, ADP and AP increased by 2.3 and 2.1% respectively, whereas ODP was reduced by 25%. During LCA, it was noticed that substitution of fuels causes a greater reduction of environmental impact (S1 and S2) than substitution of raw materials (S3 and S4). Despite a number of economically and environmentally acceptable deinking sludge utilization methods being assessed in the research, evaluation of bottlenecks and communications with companies’ representatives uncovered the fact that the availability of the raw materials consumed, and the risks associated with technological problems resulting from the sludge utilization, limited the willingness of industrial partners to start deinking sludge utilization. The research results are of high value for decision-makers at already existing paper mills since the result provide insights regarding alternatives to the deinking sludge utilization possibilities already applied. Thus, the research results support the maximum economic and environmental value recovery from waste paper utilization.

Sähkökemiallisten mittausmenetelmien hyödyntäminen optimaalisessa kunnossapidossa

Sähkökemiallisia korroosionopeuden mittausmenetelmiä, yhdistettynä rakennema-teriaalien ohenemaseurantaan, on edelleen harvoin hyödynnetty toimilaitteiden ja rakenteiden elinkaarihallintaan liittyvässä kunnossapidossa. Tässä diplomityössä selvitetään sähkökemiallisten korroosiomittausten käyttöä optimaalisen kunnossapidon apuvälineenä. Työssä selvitetään erityisesti sähkö-kemiallisten mittausjärjestelmien soveltuvuutta voimalaitosten tulistinalueen kor-roosion sekä kylmäpään happo- ja vesikastepisteen mittaamiseen ja kriittisen kas-tepistelämpötilan määrittämiseen. Lisäksi selvitetään mittausten soveltuvuut-ta voimalaitosten polttoainehallinnan optimointiin sekä teknis-taloudellisuuteen perustuvaan prosessin säätämiseen. / Electrochemical corrosion rate measuring methods have been used years in indus-trial maintenance research. Still electrochemical corrosion rate measurement methods are rarely used in the industrial maintenance work related to the life cycle of equipment and structures. This work will study the suitability and use of electrochemical corrosion meas-urements in the optimum maintenance. The work will specifically address the suitability of electrochemical measuring systems for power plants super heater and the cold end corrosion monitoring. Study focus on acid and water dew point monitoring and the determination of the critical dew point temperature. In addi-tion, study the suitability of measurements of power plant fuel management as well as techno-economics based on the process of adjustment.

Strategisen osaamisen johtaminen, casetutkimus energia-alan yrityksestä

Strateginen osaaminen on yrityksen strategian toteutumisen kannalta olennaista osaamista. Sen tunnistamista voidaan pitää koko strategisen osaamisen johtami-sen tärkeimpänä – ja vaikeimpana - vaiheena. Vasta sen jälkeen, kun strategiset osaamisalueet on tunnistettu, voidaan niitä menestyksekkäästi johtaa. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää, mitkä tekijät vaikuttavat strategisen osaamisen tunnistamiseen ja johtamiseen. Tutkimus suoritettiin laadullisena tapaustutkimuksena energia-alan yrityksessä ja empiirinen aineisto kerättiin haastattelemalla konsernin johtoryhmän jäseniä. Tutkimustulos osoittaa, että strategisen osaamisen tunnistamisen ja johtamisen kannalta ratkaisevaa on yrityksen strategisten linjausten vieminen riittävän konk-reettiselle tasolle. Mitä turbulenssisempi toimintaympäristö on, sitä tiheämmin strategisen osaamisen kehittämisen suuntaa tulee tarkastella.

The Pricing of Customized Industrial Products

The main objective of this study was to examine the pricing of customized industrial products in international markets, and to understand what pricing decision making consists of. Another purpose of the study was to identify the main factors that affect the pricing decisions of industrial companies, as well as the different pricing strategies industrial companies may choose when pricing customized products. The research was conducted as a qualitative single case study, and a Finnish industrial company specializing in indoor environment solutions, Halton Marine Oy, was used as the case company in the study. The primary data was collected through semi-structured theme interviews with the key management personnel of the company, and the results were discussed and analyzed in the light of the existing literature. The results of this study indicate that the pricing of customized industrial products consists of several dimensions, and is influenced by a large variety of factors that are both internal and external to the firm. In addition, it was found that the choice of a pricing strategy is largely dependent on the chosen segment, the product category, and the stage in the product life cycle. The results also suggest that customizing companies should consider using the value-based pricing orientation, since customization is closely linked to customer value.

Kustannusjohtaminen toimitusketjun hallinnassa

Tämä työ tarkastelee toimitusketjussa käytettyjä kustannusjohtamismenetelmiä. Työn tavoitteena on selvittää mitkä menetelmät ovat useimmiten käytössä ja miten niiden käyttöä on tutkittu kirjallisuudessa. Työ on kirjallisuuskatsaus aiempaan tutkimukseen ja tiedonhaun perusteella pyritään luomaan mahdollisimman laaja kuva tutkituista ja käytössä olevista kustannusjohtamismenetelmistä toimitusketjussa. Työssä tarkasteltuja kustannusjohtamismenetelmiä toimitusketjuissa ovat toimintolaskenta, tavoitekustannuslaskenta, elinkaarikustannuslaskenta ja Balanced Scorecard. Työ esittelee näiden menetelmien teoriat ja tarkastelee niiden käyttötapoja toimitusketjuissa ja tutkittuja käyttökohteita työkaluille. Tutkimus kustannusjohtamismenetelmiin toimitusketjussa on hajanaista. Toimintolaskentaa ja tavoitekustannuslaskentaa on tutkittu laajasti, kun taas elinkaarikustannuslaskennan ja Balanced Scorecardin yleisiä malleja toimitusketjussa on tutkittu vähän ja menetelmien käyttö on tapauskohtaista.