Canfor - Environmental Technologist

Introduction

Pulp and Paper mills produce the basic pulp material that is the building block for a huge number of products that people use every day. Your toothbrush, tooth paste, camera film and ketchup are just a few of the items in your house that can have pulp mill products in them. Making pulp also produces waste products that need to be treated before they are released into the environment. Air and water emissions are strictly regulated. Controlling the mill's environmental impact is focus of the Environment Technologist.

Siew Sim is an Environment Technologist at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) mill at Port Mellon on the Sunshine Coast. Siew deals with the treatment and reduction of mill emissions and overall environmental awareness.

Next: The Job

The Job

There are many regulations and government permits involved in the environmental side of a pulp mill. Siew's job is to make sure the mill is not only in compliance with all the rules, but tries to keep emissions far below any limits set by the government. Finding the most efficient manner to do this is an important challenge. According to Siew, "Environmental compliance is not only important in a legal sense, it's our responsibility to the environment."

Siew deals with the water effluent side of the mill. Many of the chemicals and the water used in the pulp process are recycled within the mill, however, there is still a daily amount of waste water that has to be treated before being released into the environment.

The effluent includes leftover chemicals, wood fibres and wood extracts that would be damaging if released into the ocean untreated.

Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill uses a UNOX reactor system to treat it's waste water. This is where Siew works her microbial magic! The system uses microorganisms, such as bacteria, to break down the harmful chemicals in the mill's discharge into a benign and even useful sludge. Siew calls these helpful critters her "bugs".

The UNOX is basically a big concrete box. Untreated effluent, bugs, oxygen and nutrients go in one end and about 5 hours later the bugs have converted all the undesirable parts of the effluent into harmless components and new bugs. This mixture flows out of the UNOX reactor into a big settling pond or clarifier. This allows the bugs to settle out and some of them go back into the reactor to start the process over again. The treated water is then released into the ocean.

After the bugs have done their work, the sludge left at the bottom of the clarifier is full of carbon and nutrients from the leftover bugs. This is then sent to the dewatering plant. At this plant, the sludge is taken from a milkshake-like slurry and dried to a consistency similar to peat moss. This is then burned in the mill's power boiler to produce energy for the mill to run. Another use for the sludge is as a fertilizer. The sludge acts like a time release fertilizer, as the bugs slowly decompose they release the nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon as well as other useful nutrients that plants use. Canfor's Sechelt Seed Orchard is using the sludge as experimental fertilizer. This sludge has also been put to use as a fertilizer in rehabilitating old mining areas at a local gravel mine.

"The UNOX is like an aquarium where the environment in it must be just right for the fish to be happy - temperature, pH, food and compatible fish. "Only we have bugs instead of fish!" says Siew. An important part of her job is controlling those "aquarium factors" such as oxygen and pH, so the bugs are able to do their job. Siew is involved with all the daily operations of the treatment plant. She works with the operators to find the most efficient way to operate the plant. An essential part of her activities is using a microscope to check on the bugs. The types of bugs found, their numbers and their activity level are key signs of reactor performance.

Next: The Path

The Path

So how did Siew end up as an Environment Technologist?

Siew was always interested in science and biology. She recalls " I had a great high school science teacher who I thought knew everything about everything. He was an inspiration."

Her university experience started in economics but soon shifted to biology. Siew studied animal physiology and ecology. "Ecology was great because I like to look at the big picture" recalls Siew. Her bug tank, UNOX, is really an ecosystem in itself. She continued some of her economics studies, but concentrated on the relation between economics and the environment.

Skills important for this type of job include, problem solving, analysis, computer and communication skills. When problems do arise in the mill, the environment technologist needs to be able to keep cool and calm. Thinking logically under pressure is an important ability.

Next: That’s Cool

That’s Cool

Last year Siew was involved in an exciting underwater project. The mills liquid effluent is discharged into the ocean through an out-fall pipe that goes down to a depth of about 400 feet. To inspect the pipe they used a small submarine or Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). This sub has cameras and lights and is operated from a boat on the surface. The pipe has ports along its length to diffuse the discharge along its length. The sub cameras showed sea anemones, sea cucumbers and prawns attached to the out-fall pipe or crawling around the sea floor. " We saw what looked like a big shark! It turned out it was just a small dogfish but it looked pretty big as it swam toward the camera." recalls Siew. The out-fall pipe was in good shape, but of course for a biologist the fun part was seeing all that sea life.

Another cool project was working with the fish hatchery beside the mill. The Sunshine Coast Salmon Enhancement Society and the mill are working together to improve salmon stocks in local streams. The warm water from the mill is actually used in the hatchery to increase the rate at which the fish eggs mature. Siew helped release 250,000 baby coho salmon for imprinting onto Mohawk Creek which runs beside the mill. There is nothing an environment technologist likes better than seeing those healthy fish enjoying the clean water environment she is responsible for.

Next: The Best

The Best

The best part of Siew's job is the fact that her work is making her hometown environment better. She grew up in Gibsons, just a few kilometers down the road from the mill. " The mill has always been a part of my life, I love it here" claims Siew. After travelling the world, Siew has concluded there is no place like home. Her job has positive impact on her hometown. " I live in this place, my family and the people I love are here, so why would I do anything to harm it?" states Siew. The treatment plant uses bugs nature created, in fact they can be found in a lake or even a puddle. The mill is just enhancing the bugs natural ability to break things down by keeping them in a highly concentrated controlled environment. The work of Siew's bugs is making Howe Sound a cleaner aquatic environment.

Next: Advice

Advice

Siew's philosophy is that the environment is important to all of us. Good environmental management today protects all our futures. Siew recognizes there are many viewpoints and emotions over pollution. " Its always good to look at every avenue of information and form your own opinion, rather than accept what someone says about a hot issue," Siew advises. Environmental issues are becoming important in all our daily lives. Seeing how school and university curriculums have changed over the past few years is an indicator of how our society now recognizes and values our environment.

Next: The Person

The Person

Siew carries her interest in the environment right into her time off. She is an avid outdoor sports enthusiast enjoying many activities such as, biking, camping, diving, kayaking, boating, skiing and even surfing. Also a serious world traveler, Siew says " I try to go on a big trip every second year, to somewhere that is culturally different than home, this gives me a better appreciation of the world out there." When she is not exploring the world and its cultures or the outdoors and its athletic challenges, Siew enjoys being home with her cats. Living and working in the community she grew up in.

Next: Questions?

Questions?

For more information on being an environment technologist or on the pulp and paper process visit the following sites. You can also send us your questions via e-mail.

Return to Introduction

Teacher’s Lounge Students Games Tours Library Tree Trivia Forestry Careers Biologist Compliance Management Environmental Technologist Planning and Site Manager General Manager, Paper Marketing Research Scientist Project Leader Forestry Files Contact Us	Forestry Careers Environmental Technologist
	Introduction The Job The Path That’s Cool The Best Advice The Person Questions?	Introduction Pulp and Paper mills produce the basic pulp material that is the building block for a huge number of products that people use every day. Your toothbrush, tooth paste, camera film and ketchup are just a few of the items in your house that can have pulp mill products in them. Making pulp also produces waste products that need to be treated before they are released into the environment. Air and water emissions are strictly regulated. Controlling the mill's environmental impact is focus of the Environment Technologist. Siew Sim is an Environment Technologist at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) mill at Port Mellon on the Sunshine Coast. Siew deals with the treatment and reduction of mill emissions and overall environmental awareness. Next: The Job The Job There are many regulations and government permits involved in the environmental side of a pulp mill. Siew's job is to make sure the mill is not only in compliance with all the rules, but tries to keep emissions far below any limits set by the government. Finding the most efficient manner to do this is an important challenge. According to Siew, "Environmental compliance is not only important in a legal sense, it's our responsibility to the environment." Siew deals with the water effluent side of the mill. Many of the chemicals and the water used in the pulp process are recycled within the mill, however, there is still a daily amount of waste water that has to be treated before being released into the environment. The effluent includes leftover chemicals, wood fibres and wood extracts that would be damaging if released into the ocean untreated. Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill uses a UNOX reactor system to treat it's waste water. This is where Siew works her microbial magic! The system uses microorganisms, such as bacteria, to break down the harmful chemicals in the mill's discharge into a benign and even useful sludge. Siew calls these helpful critters her "bugs". The UNOX is basically a big concrete box. Untreated effluent, bugs, oxygen and nutrients go in one end and about 5 hours later the bugs have converted all the undesirable parts of the effluent into harmless components and new bugs. This mixture flows out of the UNOX reactor into a big settling pond or clarifier. This allows the bugs to settle out and some of them go back into the reactor to start the process over again. The treated water is then released into the ocean. After the bugs have done their work, the sludge left at the bottom of the clarifier is full of carbon and nutrients from the leftover bugs. This is then sent to the dewatering plant. At this plant, the sludge is taken from a milkshake-like slurry and dried to a consistency similar to peat moss. This is then burned in the mill's power boiler to produce energy for the mill to run. Another use for the sludge is as a fertilizer. The sludge acts like a time release fertilizer, as the bugs slowly decompose they release the nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon as well as other useful nutrients that plants use. Canfor's Sechelt Seed Orchard is using the sludge as experimental fertilizer. This sludge has also been put to use as a fertilizer in rehabilitating old mining areas at a local gravel mine. "The UNOX is like an aquarium where the environment in it must be just right for the fish to be happy - temperature, pH, food and compatible fish. "Only we have bugs instead of fish!" says Siew. An important part of her job is controlling those "aquarium factors" such as oxygen and pH, so the bugs are able to do their job. Siew is involved with all the daily operations of the treatment plant. She works with the operators to find the most efficient way to operate the plant. An essential part of her activities is using a microscope to check on the bugs. The types of bugs found, their numbers and their activity level are key signs of reactor performance. Next: The Path The Path So how did Siew end up as an Environment Technologist? Siew was always interested in science and biology. She recalls " I had a great high school science teacher who I thought knew everything about everything. He was an inspiration." Her university experience started in economics but soon shifted to biology. Siew studied animal physiology and ecology. "Ecology was great because I like to look at the big picture" recalls Siew. Her bug tank, UNOX, is really an ecosystem in itself. She continued some of her economics studies, but concentrated on the relation between economics and the environment. Skills important for this type of job include, problem solving, analysis, computer and communication skills. When problems do arise in the mill, the environment technologist needs to be able to keep cool and calm. Thinking logically under pressure is an important ability. Next: That’s Cool That’s Cool Last year Siew was involved in an exciting underwater project. The mills liquid effluent is discharged into the ocean through an out-fall pipe that goes down to a depth of about 400 feet. To inspect the pipe they used a small submarine or Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). This sub has cameras and lights and is operated from a boat on the surface. The pipe has ports along its length to diffuse the discharge along its length. The sub cameras showed sea anemones, sea cucumbers and prawns attached to the out-fall pipe or crawling around the sea floor. " We saw what looked like a big shark! It turned out it was just a small dogfish but it looked pretty big as it swam toward the camera." recalls Siew. The out-fall pipe was in good shape, but of course for a biologist the fun part was seeing all that sea life. Another cool project was working with the fish hatchery beside the mill. The Sunshine Coast Salmon Enhancement Society and the mill are working together to improve salmon stocks in local streams. The warm water from the mill is actually used in the hatchery to increase the rate at which the fish eggs mature. Siew helped release 250,000 baby coho salmon for imprinting onto Mohawk Creek which runs beside the mill. There is nothing an environment technologist likes better than seeing those healthy fish enjoying the clean water environment she is responsible for. Next: The Best The Best The best part of Siew's job is the fact that her work is making her hometown environment better. She grew up in Gibsons, just a few kilometers down the road from the mill. " The mill has always been a part of my life, I love it here" claims Siew. After travelling the world, Siew has concluded there is no place like home. Her job has positive impact on her hometown. " I live in this place, my family and the people I love are here, so why would I do anything to harm it?" states Siew. The treatment plant uses bugs nature created, in fact they can be found in a lake or even a puddle. The mill is just enhancing the bugs natural ability to break things down by keeping them in a highly concentrated controlled environment. The work of Siew's bugs is making Howe Sound a cleaner aquatic environment. Next: Advice Advice Siew's philosophy is that the environment is important to all of us. Good environmental management today protects all our futures. Siew recognizes there are many viewpoints and emotions over pollution. " Its always good to look at every avenue of information and form your own opinion, rather than accept what someone says about a hot issue," Siew advises. Environmental issues are becoming important in all our daily lives. Seeing how school and university curriculums have changed over the past few years is an indicator of how our society now recognizes and values our environment. Next: The Person The Person Siew carries her interest in the environment right into her time off. She is an avid outdoor sports enthusiast enjoying many activities such as, biking, camping, diving, kayaking, boating, skiing and even surfing. Also a serious world traveler, Siew says " I try to go on a big trip every second year, to somewhere that is culturally different than home, this gives me a better appreciation of the world out there." When she is not exploring the world and its cultures or the outdoors and its athletic challenges, Siew enjoys being home with her cats. Living and working in the community she grew up in. Next: Questions? Questions? For more information on being an environment technologist or on the pulp and paper process visit the following sites. You can also send us your questions via e-mail. BCIT Pulp and Paper (Chemical Sciences) Technology UBC Pulp and Paper Centre Canadian Pulp and Paper Association Return to Introduction