Direct Contact Inc. (DCI) was born out the need for a heat recovery system able to handle the fibers in a Pulp Mill’s ‘whitewater’ stream. Indirect heat exchangers were fouling-prone and ‘whitewater’ would definitely blind most packings. Meanwhile, the mill was very interested in saving and using the heat being vented out their stacks. An exhaustive search for an industrial supplier of such equipment resulted in the realization that it just wasn’t available.

Bill Carson, Founder and President of Direct Contact Inc., applied his Chemical Engineering skills and his pulp process knowledge to develop the first recovery system. The idea and equipment was presented and sold to the pulp mill managers, who quickly appreciated the large potential savings such a system could deliver. Designed to capture waste heat off the refiner and deliver it directly to the ‘whitewater’ stream, the system worked wonderfully, saving both energy and water to such a degree that it paid for itself and the installation in less than a year!

Direct Contact Inc. was established in Renton, WA (in 1992) and the principals of the company have systematically assembled a team of professionals to support the expansion of this innovative idea. The company has now successfully installed similar systems (patent pending) throughout the region which are currently recovering heat (and water) in several different applications, including:

• Natural gas boiler exhaust
• Hog fuel boiler exhaust
• Gypsum wallboard calciner vent
• Miscellaneous vents off groundwood refiner

Other applications, identified as excellent candidates for cost-effective approach are:

• Food processing
• Beverage processing
• As well as various chemical processes

Energy savings, water recovery and reduced CO2 emissions (offset) combine to make this a technology worth considering whenever resources are limited.

Direct Contact Inc.’s capabilities extend beyond the simple supply of equipment. They include both process and site evaluation, preliminary engineering, final design, fabrication and construction management. When desired, Direct Contact Inc. is prepared to offer a full Turnkey Package, enabling our clients to concentrate on their other priorities.