1 of 24

www.dksinghal.in

Presented on October 30-31, 2023 at-

IPPTA Zonal Seminar-II, Muzaffarnagar

​

Efficient Collection & Processing of Recovered Paper

For Achieving Improved Yield and Quality

​

Safe Storage of Paper & Waste Paper

and Its Handling for

Accident Free Operation

By:

D K Singhal

Chandpur Enterprises Ltd.

2 of 24

Fire Hazards

  • Past few incidents reported on-

05.11.2021 18.02.2022 27.04.2022

22.05.2022 02.11.2022 06.03.2023

14.05.2023 29.05.2023 (8 nos. in 24 months.)

​

  • Estimated monetary loss: >150 crores

​

  • Last paper published in IPPTA- Sept. ‘86 (37 Years back)

2

3 of 24

The Common Factor

  • What we usually hear about (almost) every fire mishap-
    • The fire fighting arrangements were inadequate.
    • Owners were careless about fire safety.

​

​

  • Most of the time, we believe this.

​

3

4 of 24

A Few Questions!

  • What is the definition of adequate?
    • National Building Code, 2016
    • Developed countries standards
    • Other
  • Most secure areas have also faced fire incidents. Were the arrangements inadequate?
  • Do you have adequate fire preventing arrangements in your own kitchen, bedroom?

​

4

5 of 24

Usual fire fighting arrangements

  • These include-
    • Policies
      • Restricting matchbox, bidi, cigarettes etc.
      • Restricting unauthorized access etc.

​

    • Fire Hydrants / Extinguishers / Systems

​

    • Trained Manpower

​

5

6 of 24

The Fire Timeline

  • Any fire accident may be divided in 4 sections-
    • Before fire takes place
    • Spark / Beginning of fire
    • Immediately after fire begins
    • Afterwards

​

6

7 of 24

The Timeline…

7

Really?

8 of 24

Arrangements

  • Arrangements MUST be there in place, ready to use at any moment of time. Because-

​

Many of the world’s largest fire accidents could have been avoided by just a cup of water if it was poured on the right time, at the right place.

​

8

9 of 24

An Example- Crossing the Road!

    • What if someone teaches you like this-

​

    • Before crossing the road, get latest traffic updates.

​

    • Before crossing the road, locate nearest doctor.
      • In case of emergency, you may quickly get medical help.

​

    • Keep a pen and paper handy while crossing the road.
      • If any vehicle hits you, note down the vehicle registration number to file FIR.

​

9

10 of 24

Our Approaches

  • Do our arrangements teach us how to cross the road safely, or just guide us for after-accident situation?

​

  • Existing rules and systems are all OK, but if something goes wrong, a loss is certain; and we must explore ways to avoid such accidents in the first place.

​

10

11 of 24

What Can Go Wrong?

Focused Radiation Static Charge

11

12 of 24

So, What Should be Done?

  • Understand Paper (& Waste Paper)

​

    • Cellulosic like wood, textile, cotton, bagasse
    • Non-exothermic like bagasse
    • Physical shape (forget 2D network definition.)
    • Hygroscopic

​

12

13 of 24

Physical Shape

13

14 of 24

Improving Storage Systems

  • Storage systems must have lesser open areas to enhance safety.
  • Care should be taken to ensure that the storage areas are densely packed.
  • Analysis of fire spreading possibility to be made.

​

  • Confusing? Let’s move to next slide.

14

15 of 24

Fire Sensitive Combustion Prone Block

15

16 of 24

Fire Sensitive Combustion Prone Block

  • Just a simple model to demonstrate!
  • Need to focus more on exposed units.
  • Further detailed research MUST be initiated.

​

16

17 of 24

Increasing Time…

17

18 of 24

Increasing Time

  • Paper moisture can be your best shield against fire.
  • Example: Hawan

​

  • But, how?

​

  • Paper is hygroscopic.

​

  • So what?

​

​

18

19 of 24

Effect of Moisture

  • Heat required to increase temperature for 1 kg-
    • Dry paper: 1 x 0.25 x (200-40) = 40 kCal

​

  • If paper contains 10% moisture, then
    • For paper: 0.9 x 0.25 x (200-40) = 36 kCal
    • For water: 0.1 x 1.00 x (200-40) = 16 kCal
    • Latent Heat of Water: 540 X 0.1 = 54 kCal
    • Total 106 kCal

19

20 of 24

Increase RH

  • Increase relative humidity in the nearby areas
  • Moisture in paper increases, automatically
  • Also cools down the ambient temperature
  • Static charge problem is reduced
  • Use of treated effluent is possible

​

  • But how?

​

20

21 of 24

Misting/Humidification

  • Reduces temperature
  • Increases humidity

21

22 of 24

Humidification

  • An effective approach for open yards
  • For closed finished paper godowns, intermittent use.
  • No harmful effect on paper quality
  • Reduces static charge related issues also
  • Easy to implement
  • Low water quantities required
  • Easy

22

23 of 24

Future Work

  • Initiate R&D on fire safety EXCLUSIVELY for paper mills.
  • Develop a charter for fire prevention in paper mills.
  • Share knowledge and information with all paper professionals.
  • Collectively aim for a “NO FIRE ACCIDENT” for paper mills.

23

24 of 24

  • In any mill, R&D institution, association or academic institution initiates in this direction, I’d say-

​

THANK YOU!

24

www.dksinghal.in