A comparative cost analysis for pulp chip processing using the Peterson Pacific 5000 (DDC)
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Date
1997
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University of New Brunswick
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.