Energy Efficiency Frontier • Lean and Green Refining, 2011 PaperCon Conference

Please Note: This document will be available in PDF format in the "My Electronic Documents" link on the home page once your order has been completed. Please make sure you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader. Click on the Acrobat Reader icon to check for the latest version, it’s FREE. To print a hardcopy of a PDF file correctly you must have a postscript printer. If you are not sure if your printer is a postscript printer please refer to your owner’s manual.

Purchase of electronic (downloadable) documents made at www.tappi.org by credit cards, followed by instant download CANNOT be cancelled. We do not offer refunds on electronic download documents.

Refining is one of the most energy intensive processes in the manufacture of paper and paperboard. While refining combines a blend of science, art, and operating experience, nearly all papermakers acknowledge that we over-refine our paper machine stock fiber. Series and parallel equipment line-ups are commonplace, and different hydraulic paths are necessary to accommodate the plethora blends of virgin, recycle, and broke pulp. Tremendous opportunity exists in the reduction of both no-load and refining load electricity consumption through equipment driven by low-to-medium voltage motors generally over 150 kW (200 hp) each. Most paper mills’ connected refining power alone falls between 1,500 to 15,000 kW. In conjunction with reducing refining energy intensity, opportunities exist to:

• Improve sheet first quality and target sheet properties by optimizing stock furnish blends.
• Integrate supply chain fiber cost and quality considerations into controlled refining operations.
• Reduce the time needed to change or start-up on grade.
• Reduce sheet breaks and reduce scrap.
• Realize additional energy savings through improved sheet dewatering upstream of the dryer section.