Vertical Bed System (VBS) - Georgia Pacific (GP) Paper Mill , Crossett, Arkansas, USA - Case Study

THE PROBLEM:

The Georgia Pacific (GP) Paper Mill in Crossett, Arkansas has been a staple to the community since 1962, when GP purchased the Crossett Lumber Company and began making tissue products. Today, the facility employs over 1,250 people in the town. One of the byproducts of paper production is hydrogen sulfide, and in recent years, as EPA regulations tightened and more research became available on the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), complaints and questions began to surface regarding the malodorous and corrosive air quality. Leaders at Georgia Pacific deemed it necessary to reduce H2S levels and have made strides in doing so in recent years. Additionally, GP reviewed the air quality inside the plant control rooms to determine if the hydrogen sulfide could cause mission critical hardware failure, as well as unpleasant odors and conditions for staff. The analysis found that both staff and equipment would benefit from a reduction in H2S levels, so the hunt began for a solution.