L.P. Samoa Pulp Mill

LP produces "market pulp" at this mill using both Redwood and Douglas Fir chips from area sawmills. The market pulp looks like thick paper but has a higher water content. It is re-pulped at various mills to make paper products. This is the only Total Chlorine Free pulp mill in the United States.
We all gathered in front of the chip pile for a group picture. Each teacher was given a bag in order to take a handful of chips home.
These are the dryers.
This is a giant sheet of market pulp (unbleached) just coming off of the roller. 
The market pulp is then cut into sheets (like plywood) and compressed, ready to ship to various destinations. Much goes to Japan and other Asian markets. 
Teachers learn that making pulp and paper is really just one big chemistry and engineering project. Steam and electricity are also produced at this plant in a process known as "co-generation". Millions of dollars have been spent to protect air and water quality.
It's a sedentary life in front of the control panels until something goes wrong. These technicians are able to monitor every function in the mill using sophisticated computer programs.

 

 

 

 

Yes, it looks like smoke coming out of the mill but it's only harmless steam. The smell isn't always the best because sulfur is used in the giant digester (big pressure cooker) to break those chips down and to separate the cellulose (wood fiber) from the lignin (nature's adhesives) that holds the fibers together. The lignin can be burned to produce energy.

 

  

 

 

Teachers gathered in the conference room after the tour to have their questions answered.