Search

Novel Technology Invites Producers to unFOLD Sustainability

“For both start-ups and bigger companies, sustainable materials is a growing area. FOLD could be their solution." — Jaakko Kuusisaari, VTT

World’s Most Northerly Paper Mill Makes Sustainable Choices

A retrofit solution with new energy-efficient circuit breakers was a perfect match when a decades-old switchgear needed new life.

Recovery boiler back-end heat recovery, TAPPI Journal March 2023

ABSTRACT: Sustainability and efficient use of resources are becoming increasingly important aspects in the operation of all industries. Recently, some biomass-fired boilers have been equipped with increasingly complex condensing back-end heat recovery solutions, sometimes also using heat pumps to upgrade the low-grade heat. In kraft recovery boilers, however, scrubbers are still mainly for gas cleaning, with only simple heat recovery solutions. In this paper, we use process simulation software to study the potential to improve the power generation and energy efficiency by applying condensing back-end heat recovery on a recovery boiler. Different configurations are considered, including heat pumps. Potential streams to serve as heat sinks are considered and evaluated. Lowering the recovery boiler flue gas temperature to approximately 65°C significantly decreases the flue gas losses. The heat can be recovered as hot water, which is used to partially replace low-pressure (LP) steam, making more steam available for the condensing steam turbine portion for increased power generation. The results indicate that in a simple condensing plant, some 1%•4% additional electricity could be generated. In a Nordic mill that provides district heating, even more additional electricity generation, up to 6%, could be achieved. Provided the availability of sufficient low-temperature heat sinks to use the recovered heat, as well as sufficient condensing turbine swallowing capacity to utilize the LP steam, the use of scrubbing and possibly upgrading the heat using heat pumps appears potentially useful.

Mondi's Paper-Based CompressWrap Sets New Standards for Ekornes' Mattresses

Unilever and Saica Group Announce an Ongoing Collaboration to Reduce Plastic Use in Promotional Packaging

Valmet Launches Novel 3D Fiber Technology for High-Capacity Molded Fiber Production

Valmet expands its offering to the growing molded fiber market with the launch of Valmet 3D Fiber technology. The solution enables high-capacity, fast production of high-quality, three-dimensional fiber-based packaging, offering packaging producers a competitive end-to-end solution to meet the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to plastic.

Valmet to Increase Resource Efficiency Through Digitalization at Klingele Weener Mill in Germany

Valmet Launches IQ Virtual Sensor, Enabling Real Time Strength Optimization and Unlocking Significant Fiber and Starch Saving

Valmet introduces Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor, a software-based solution that gives paper and board producers real-time visibility of critical end-product strength properties that have traditionally been measured only in the laboratory. By providing continuous quality predictions, the solution enables mills to maintain consistent quality, reduce fiber and starch costs, decrease energy consumption, and increase overall production efficiency.

Valmet Launches IQ Virtual Sensor

Valmet introduces Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor, a software-based solution that gives paper and board producers real-time visibility of critical end-product strength properties that have traditionally been measured only in the laboratory. By providing continuous quality predictions, the solution enables mills to maintain consistent quality, reduce fiber and starch costs, decrease energy consumption, and increase overall production efficiency.

Transitioning from micro to nano: unlocking the potential of cellulose nanomaterials Webinar

This comprehensive presentation explores advanced cellulose nanomaterial production through real-time monitoring and machine learning optimization. Marc Delgado-Aguilar demonstrates how tempo-mediated oxidation and enzymatic pretreatments can be monitored using NIR spectroscopy and chemometric modeling, enabling better process control. The research reveals optimal processing conditions for high-pressure homogenization, showing 1.5% consistency delivers maximum fibrillation yield while minimizing energy consumption. Advanced AI models including artificial neural networks and random forest algorithms successfully predict key properties like aspect ratio and yield of fibrillation from easily measurable process parameters. These breakthrough approaches address critical industry challenges in scaling cellulose nanofiber production, offering practical solutions for reducing processing costs, improving quality control, and accelerating time-to-market for sustainable nanomaterials applications across multiple industries.