CONTROLLING ODOUR ISSUES IN

PACKAGING INDUSTRIES
 Contents

What is Odour?

Odour in Paper Making System

Major factors and causes of the Odour

Ways to control

References
 What is Odour?

• The property of a substance that activates the sense of smell

to have an unpleasant sensations.
• Odour, Smell, Scent all refer to sensations perceived through
the nose by nerves system.
Out of five, NOSE is our only
sense organ which is having
the capability to identify the
odour to recognize whether it
is Pleasant or bad.

Nose can only identify the GOOD or

BAD Odour.
 Odour in Paper Making System

Due to increased environmental concerns paper industry is forced to use more of

recirculated water which tends to compel the paper makers to keep the water
circuits as close as possible. In mills with closed water system or in mills using
recycled pulp, microbiological activities are mostly the main source for odour.

Oxidation of wood extractives is the most important odour source in furnishes

containing mechanical pulp or sulphite pulp.

“In recent past Indian paper industry has emerged as a prominent exporter of
packaging paper. But Odour is becoming a major concern for customers as well
as paper makers because it develops during the period of transit”
 Causes of Odour
We can differentiate the causes of odour problem in two groups:
1. Chemicals
2. Microbiological Growth
Chemical Odour:
• Odour Arising from Mill Additives & Coating Binders.
• The Oxidation of Wood Extractives.
• Printing Inks, when interact with the paper.
• Degraded Paper Waste coming for recycling.

Microbiological Growth:
• Anaerobic Metabolic process in the Paper Making & ETP cause the Odour Issues.
• Due to increasing closure of water circuits & increased recovery of wastepaper.
• Sufficient supply of nutrients.
• Sufficient dwell time.
• Favourable pH & temperature ranges which suits the MB Activities.
• Oxygen Free environment.
 Causes of Odour
Images of different environment for Bacterial Growth

A. Aerobic Bacteria gather at the top of the tube to absorb maximal amount of Oxygen.
B. Anaerobic Bacteria gather at bottom to avoid Oxygen.
C. Facultative Anaerobes gather mostly at the top, since aerobic respiration is most beneficial; but as lack of
Oxygen does not hurt them, they can be found all along the test tube.
D. Aerotolerant Anaerobes are not affected by oxygen, & they evenly spread along the test tube.
E. Microaerophiles gather at upper part of test tube, not at top. Need Oxygen but at low concentration.
Live Paper Process Bacteria
 Investigating the Bacteria
There are various lab testing methods available to identify the bacterial growth in
paper making systems:

TBC (Total Bacteria Count) –Total Aerobic Counts

SRB (Sulphate Reducing Bacteria) –Anaerobic Bacteria

ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) –Oxidizing or Reductive

DO (Dissolved Oxygen) –Oxygen in the system

VFA (Volatile Fatty Acid) –System VFA

VFA is found to be most prominent factor affecting an odour issue in recycled paper packaging grades.
 Responsible Process Variables
Process Possible effects Odor Response

Alkaline stages remove extractives

Bleaching Chelating agents remove metal ions Overall Odour Reduction
Oxidative chemicals initiate rancidity

AKD Sizing AKD sizing increases pH. Increased odor

BioCide Decreased Microbiological Activities Decreased Odor

Washing Fines & extractives are removed Decreased Odor

Recycled Paper Spores & bacteria are fed to the system Increased odor

Coating Latexes Contaminated by Volatile monomers Increased odor

What is VFA (Volatile Fatty Acids)?
 Volatile Fatty Acids
Under anaerobic conditions many microorganisms will produce volatile fatty acids
(VFA), which are smelly substances. Acetic acid (vinegar odour), butyric acid (rancid
butter odour), propionic acid (Swiss cheese odour) and valeric acid are the
predominant VFAs.
VFAs are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail of less than six carbon atoms. The most
common types of VFAs found in recycled packaging operations would be acetic,
propionic and butyric.
Many different types of bacteria can produce VFAs; these include both
facultative and strict anaerobic bacteria.
Facultative anaerobic bacteria can survive with or without oxygen while strict
anaerobes thrive in no or low oxygen conditions.
Clostridium is the one of the biggest
example of Bacteria present in our
Packaging Industry.
 Other Issues owing to Microbiology
in paper industry-In general
Reduced paper quality & strength
Deposit
from foil Odor problems/ Obnoxious odors
pan
Rejected paper, Customer complaints

Machine downtime (reduced runnability due to corrosion, spray nozzle blockage etc. )

Viscosity deterioration of coating batches

Sheet Brightness , shade issues

defects
Screening / filtering issues

Corrosion (MIC)

Decreased profitability

Corrosion: Bacterial metabolism in biofilms may release aggressive metabolites such as organic (acetic,
succinic, isobutyric, etc.) or inorganic acids (sulphuric). The patchy nature of biofilms may generate regions
with different oxygen content on the underlying steel surface and may promote corrosion (MIC).
 Bio-corrosion

Microbiologically induced
corrosion

Direct In Direct
Bio film formation Corrosive metabolic byproducts

Metal depositors Sulfate reducing

Slime forming bacteria bacteria (SRB)
Gallionella, Sphaerotius,
Crenothrix, Leptothrix Typically, aerobic Acid Formers All SRBs are anaerobic
All produce an exo-polymer De-sulfovibrio most common
Clostridium (anaerobic) genus
All aerobic; oxidize either iron Contains water, polysaccharides
or manganese to oxides & protein Thio bacillus (aerobic) SRBs do not attack metal
Traps inorganic salts, fibers, directly
fines, fillers & debris Typically produce localized
pitting corrosion

Monitoring: Postmortem examination (after the occurrence) , In situ monitoring (Difficult) and Side stream monitoring
like Suspension of coupons in raw or process water and Bio fouling sampling device.
 What made microbial control more challenging in the recent times
(Key Changes in Operational / Industry Practices)

Large chests constructed with long dwell times

Water system closure Reduced biocide programs due to cost

constraints
• Noxious chemical cycle up
• Nutrients cycle up
• Stagnant chests Boil-out Interval changes

Neutral to alkaline conditions

Increased Filler levels
Increased use of recycled pulps

High Speed Machines

Areas Prone to have Microbial Problems in a Paper Industry
(Check-points In general)

Fresh Water Machine Surfaces

(Filamentous bacteria, (Headbox, Approach
algae, protozoa, worms) piping, Frame)

Broke Towers (Heavily

White Water System
contaminated)

Recycled Fibers Back water

Paper Mill Additives

 Ways to control
Control on Bacterial Growth is one of the best way to minimize the Odour/ VFA.

Ways to Sanitize the system (Boilout of the system)

Control? Increase the level of DO in the system
Keep the system towards oxidative.
Avoid stagnant water or stock in the system.
Keep the system free from Microbiological Growth.
Keep the system recirculating always.
Avoid anaerobic activities in the system.
 Ways to control Microbiology

An excellent solution to Other Oxidizing Non-Oxidizing Biocides

control the Odour and Biocides
VFA – “ClO2”
 Properties of an Ideal Biocide
Performance

Be applicable over a wide range of operating conditions, such as

pH and temperature Not interfere with other paper mill additives

Have a broad spectrum of activity toward microbes

Be efficient and fast-acting

Be environmentally friendly and nontoxic (no organic solvents,

heavy metals, dioxins or furans) and safe for the operator

Be low cost and easy to handle

Good composition & Free of organic solvents

Ideal No smell liquid & easy to handle

High LD50 (i.e., low toxicity with respect to handling)

Biocide High LC50 (i.e., low toxicity with respect to effect on aquatic life)

Optimized Toxicity & Non-irritant

No influence on biological wastewater treatment plants & Easily

degradable
 Common Biocides in a Paper Industry

Oxidants NOBs Preservative (NOBs)

Quaternary ammonium 4,5-Chloro-2-methy-4-

Halogenated alkylhaydantoin
compounds isothiazolin-3-one
Tetra-kis (hydroxymethyl)
Hydrogen Peroxide Glutaradehyde
phosphonium sulfate (THPS)

Chlorine Compounds Glutaraldehyde Bronopol

Methylene bis-thiocyanate
ClO2
(MBT)

Bronopol

5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-
isothiazolin-3-one

DBNPA

INDION RANGE - 1493/5700/9059/1496/INDCHLOR D3.0-7.5/9054/9041*/G3706/9045/9043/G3707/9047*/9042/9087/7602* etc.

*Blend
 Biocide Addition
Wet End Parts (Points for Chemicals addition-In general)

• Broke Towers
• Clear Filtrate
• Wire Water
• Mixing Tank, Fresh water tank/warm/clear water tank
(for Showers)
• Head Box
• Paper Mill Additives and Coating Zone
• Mineral Slurries and Pulp Preservation System
Biocide addition points (In general)
Biocide addition points (Craft/Packaging Paper)
 Chlorine Di-oxide Generation-Conventional Approach
INDION CHLOGEN- Methodology
ClO2 Features

Less Corrosive, Easy to handle, easy to

produce & feed (with or without using in situ 2 NaClO2 + Cl2 → 2 ClO2 + 2 NaCl
generator) and no pH dependency for
performance
2 NaClO2 + 2 HCl + NaOCl → 2 ClO2 + 3 NaCl + H2O
Strong Oxidizer, It oxidizes iron (Fe2+ to Fe3+),
manganese (Mn2+ to Mn4+) & sulfides and 5 NaClO2 + 4 HCl → 4ClO2+ 5 NaCl
can enhance clarification process.

Excellent bio-dispersant properties & its Generation Methodologies and Challenges

biocidal effectiveness is not affected by pH.
Features Cl2 water Hypo+acid Acid

Easy generation Yes Yes No

It is most effective in removing odor and taste
(usually caused by high organic loading, Towards complete Yes Yes No
phenols, humic acid, or sulphide). Doesn’t get
hydrolysed conversion

Halogenated by-products - THM & other by-

Excess chlorine in product Very high Low Nil
products formation is prevented if the
generation system does not allow for the
release of free chlorine. Efficiency of ClO2 generation >90% >90% <90%
INDCHLOR D 3.0/7.5
INDCHLOR D-3.0/7.5 is a unique & advanced product, which deliver ClO2 without using any Chlorine Dioxide Generator

Key Features: Easy to handle, easy to produce & feed (*without using in situ generator)

Volume of solution (lit), to be prepared =

Recommended dose of ClO2 (ppm) * System Volume (m3) / 7.5 or 3.0
(based on the selection of product)

Typical dosage in Cooling Water*

Slug • 0.5-2.0 ppm as ClO2 on system hold-up volume as Slug Feed

Continuous • 0.2-0.3 ppm as ClO2 on continuous basis

Optimal Concentration of Prepared Solution – 3000/7500 ppm as ClO2

Frequency: Once in a day or Twice in a week (Based on system requirement)
INDCHLOR D 3.0/7.5
INDCHLOR D-3.0/7.5 is a unique & advanced product, which deliver ClO2 without using any Chlorine Dioxide Generator

Now keep it for about

Take 96% / 90% desired 240/120 Min for proper
volume of water and add 2% / then add 2%/ 5% of Reagent reaction and stabilization of
5% Reagent A and mix B and mix it gently final product to achieve ClO2
thoroughly concentration of 3000/7500
ppm in the prepared solution

Reagent A & B

Caution: Do not mix Reagent Use the solution as early as

A & B directly, always prepare possible or keep it in
the solution as instructed container for some-time with
above some opening vent

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Employ routine monitoring , Machine runnability, quality, defects etc.
• ORP – Nearly 300-450 milli volt in fresh water ; 150-350 milli volt in back water.; + ORP in W/W silo in craft paper.
• Free residual chlorine: 0.20-0.40 ppm in fresh water.
• Non oxidizing biocides normally dosed in cycle in back water tank/silo/ chest. ( 50-100 g/tons of finished product)
• Note: Products can be confirmed after the Lab trial by checking the parameters like total bacterial count/SRB count/FRC/Free
chlorine/ORP by application of our products in the lab.
 Observations
Based on certain plant trials
Product ORP (mV) FRC (ppm) TCL (ppm) TBC (cfu/ml) SRB VFA (ppm)
Blank -115 0 0 2.80E+07 1.00E+06 15861
DBNPA (50 ppm) -110 0 0 8.00E+06 1.00E+05 15197
QUAT (50 ppm) -102 0 0 1.10E+07 1.00E+06 15534
ISO (50 ppm) -112 0 0 1.20E+07 1.00E+06 15186
GLUT (50 ppm) -105 0 0 1.00E+06 1.00E+04 14862
DMH (150 ppm) + Hypo 75 1.5 0.4 3.20E+05 1.00E+03 13256
BROMIDE (250 ppm) + Hypo 32 0.8 0.2 1.00E+07 1.00E+05 15087
Ammonium Sulphate (250
ppm) + Hypo 74 1.45 0.5 4.30E+05 1.00E+03 13568
Hypo (1500 ppm) 20 0.5 0.8 2.40E+06 1.00E+05 15321
ClO2 1.0 (2.0-3.0*) - - 1.50E+05 1.00E+03 12688
Oxidizing Biocides are more effective to improve the ORP Levels means tends to change the system from Reductive to Oxidizing.
Oxidizers are more effective on TBC, SRB & VFA.

There are N Factors involved in Odour in pulp and paper especially in Kraft & Packaging Mill. With N Factors we have N
Techniques to resolve the issues, which includes mechanical & chemical solutions. We need to select the best way to resolve
the Odour Issues.

ClO2 (Conclusion): It has proven to be especially effective against facultative anaerobic microorganisms and sessile bacteria,
providing great reduction in VFAs, which results in reducing odour issue and provides excellent machine cleanliness.
However, t h i s needs proper care & said dosage may vary from mill to mill.

*initial dose
 References for ClO2
Case Study on ClO2:
The mill data from one of the case studies of a mill producing brown paper @ 400 TPD are given in below tables.

Running
at

Nikita
Paper

Ecotech

OM Sree

Aryan
Papers
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