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SetPoint: Reach Out and Touch Someone, Paper360º July/August 2020

SetPoint: Reach Out and Touch Someone, Paper360º July/August 2020

Paper Machine Water Efficiency, Paper360º July/August 2020

Paper Machine Water Efficiency, Paper360º July/August 2020

Industrial LED Lighting Improves Pulp & Paper Mill Safety, Paper360º July/August 2020

Industrial LED Lighting Improves Pulp & Paper Mill Safety, Paper360º July/August 2020

Case study: Paper mill power plant optimization—balancing steam venting with mill demand, TAPPI Journal June 2020

ABSTRACT: Most Power departments are tasked with generating steam to support mill wide operations, generate electricity, and reduce operating costs. To accomplish these tasks, power boilers generate high pressure steam that is reduced to intermediate and low pressures for process utilization in the mill by means of steam turbine generator extraction or pressure reducing valves. The most economical method to reduce steam pressure is the use of steam turbine generators, as electricity is generated from the steam when it is reduced in pressure. Electricity that is produced by these generators provides a substantial financial benefit and helps offset overall operational costs. To achieve tangible financial gains, the mill must evaluate the overall cost of steam production and the price of electricity.The current work provides a case study of power plant optimization that evaluated electricity production and steam production costs balanced with mill steam demand. Process and cost optimization led to a significant reduc-tion in low pressure steam venting, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and reduced operating cost.

Fate of phosphorus in the recovery cycle of the kraft pulping process, TAPPI Journal March 2020

ABSTRACT: The accumulation of nonprocess elements in the recovery cycle is a common problem for kraft pulp mills trying to reduce their water closure or to utilize biofuels in their lime kiln. Nonprocess elements such as magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), and phosphorus (P) enter the recovery cycle via wood, make-up chemicals, lime rock, biofuels, and process water. The main purge point for these elements is green liquor dregs and lime mud. If not purged, these elements can cause operational problems for the mill. Phosphorus reacts with calcium oxide (CaO) in the lime during slaking; as a result, part of the lime is unavailable for slaking reactions. The first part of this project, through laboratory work, identified rhenanite (NaCa(PO4)) as the form of P in the lime cycle and showed the negative effect of P on the availability of the lime. The second part of this project involved field studies and performing a mass balance for P at a Canadian kraft pulp mill.

Preventive Maintenance Cards, Anyone?, Paper360º March/April 2020

Preventive Maintenance Cards, Anyone?, Paper360º March/April 2020

Effects of a PFI refiner’s operational parameters on the swellability of recycled fiber, TAPPI Journal May 2020

ABSTRACT: This paper presents data on the effects of operational parameters (number of revolutions, linear pressure, and gap) of the PFI refiner on the swellability of recycled fiber, which was characterized by water retention value (WRV). The results showed that the increase of recycled fiber’s WRV was proportional to the number of revolutions and the linear pressure, but inversely proportional to the gap. The mathematical relation between these parameters and the fiber WRV could be described by an empirical model for gaps greater than 0.1 mm. Scanning electron microscopic images of fiber morphology showed that the basic framework of fibers could be maintained with the gap greater than 0.1 mm, but was destroyed with smaller gaps. This model provides a technical reference for quantitative control of refining treatment and an effective method for improving recycled fiber quality.

2020 TAPPI/PIMA Awards:, Paper360º May/June 2020

2020 TAPPI/PIMA Awards:, Paper360º May/June 2020

How do mud balls form in lime kilns?, TAPPI Journal April 2023

ABSTRACT: Mud ball formation in lime kilns has been a persistent problem in many kraft mills, particularly for older kilns that are equipped with chains. A systematic laboratory study was conducted to examine how mud balls are formed and the key factors that affect ball formation. The results confirm the general mill experience that high moisture and high sodium contents in lime mud are the main contributing factors to ball formation. The high moisture content allows lime mud to agglomerate and grow to form balls, while the high sodium content helps make the balls hard and retain their shape. A ball formation mechanism is proposed to explain how mud balls form and grow near the kiln feed end.

In case you missed it in TAPPI’s electronic newsletter, Tissue360º Fall/Winter 2023