A comparative cost analysis for pulp chip processing using the Peterson Pacific 5000 (DDC)

Abstract

Within recent years there has been increasing interest in the process of pulp fibre chips with the use of flail chipping units throughout Eastern Canada. A number of machine configurations exist for pulp chipping which involve the removal of bark and limbs from stems prior to chipping. A particular roadside pulp chip processing unit that has had some success is the Peterson Pacific (DDC 5000) Delimber/Debarker/Chipper. Kimberly Clark Forest Products Ltd. in Nova Scotia has seven hired pulp chipping contractors of which five use the DDC 5000 unit to process pulp chips at roadside of the cutblock. The main objective of the chipping contractor is to deliver high quality pulp chips to the company mill for further pulping into kraft products at highly competitive production levels. The main goal of the company is to achieve maximum production of high quality chips by the contractors at the lowest costs possible. Costing results in this report indicate that the company's current method of pulp chip production with the DDC 5000 flail unit is not the most economical. A more feasible approach of hauling roundwood to the mill and processing it with a stationary DDC 5000 will yield higher gains in terms of a combination of pulp chips and hogfuel produced. With the aid of a costing program (SYSCOST), the estimated savings associated with an alternative millyard system were determined to be $2.89/gmt for pulp chips and $12.96/gmt for hogfuel produced. Based on an operating year of 200 days, the total average gains for the company in one year of production would be $1.3 million for pulp chips and $425,000 for hogfuel. With gains this high it is advisable that the company further look into the concept of a mill yard system of pulp chip production.