Continuous (Kamyr) digesters are susceptible to corrosion and degradation that left unchecked or improperly repaired and inspected can lead to catastrophic failure. The scene above is due to a digester failure in 2020. Luckily no one was seriously injured or killed.

I had the pleasure of presenting to the International Paper, Technology Group last week. The subject was typical continuous digester inspection practices. It covered what we look for, how we find it, and what is done about it when discovered. Thanks to IP for allowing me to give my thoughts on this important subject to a group of professionals that are in positions to make changes.