REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Statement of the Problem – Rock Contamination in Pulping Process

Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. (DMI), operates a Kraft pulpmill in Peace River, northern Alberta, Canada. Recently the mill has switched to in-bush chipping, which utilizes portable wood chippers operating in the forest and Super B-train trucks to haul the chips to the pulpmill. One of the unforeseen consequences has been a dramatic increase in the amount of small stones contaminating the pulping process and causing considerable equipment wear.

At certain times of the year, small stones become embedded in mud, snow and ice, which are stuck to the undersides of the chip trucks. When the chip trucks are emptied on end-tipping truck dumpers, vibrators are used to shake the trucks to ensure the trucks empty completely. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of mud, snow and ice containing small stones is also shaken off and end-up in the chip flow to the paved, outside chip storage piles. Wood chips are reclaimed from the piles, screened in a chip thickness screening system and conveyed to the pulpmill.

DMI has a study underway with Sandwell Engineering Services Limited (SESL) to determine the extent of the problem and to find ways of eliminating the stones from the chip furnish.

DMI believes that the rock contamination problem is not unique to them and in an effort not to `reinvent the wheel’, is interested in opening dialogue with other companies who have experienced a similar problem and who are willing to share their experiences, including companies who have found a solution to the problem, or companies who are seeking a solution to the problem. Of equal importance, is determining the things that have been tried and have not been successful.

If, as is suspected, the rock contamination problem is universal, it is conceivable that a `working group’ could be established to investigate the problem on an industry wide basis.

Should you be interested in sharing your experiences and providing information regarding rock removal systems, please contact the following:

DAISHOWA-MARUBENI INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Postal Bag 4000, Pulpmill Site

Peace River, AB, T8S 1V7

Canada

Attention: Eivind Hestdalen

Tel: 780-624-7097

Fax:780-624-7343

Email: EHestdalen@PRPDDMI.com

SANDWELL ENGINEERING SERVICES LIMITED

Suite 600 – 885 Dunsmuir Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 1N5

Canada

Attention: Paul Janz

Tel:604-638-4628

Fax: 604-688-5913

Email:pjanze@sandwell.com ■