The effect of optimizing the operating parameters of the washers on the washers’ efficiency and the overall economy of a mill, 2023 PEERS Conference

The operation of the brown stock washing of a pulp mill’s fiber line has a significant impact on the mill’s energy economy, material efficiency and environmental emissions. With efficient and optimized washing, which is monitored by real-time concentration measurements, water consumption can be reduced, resulting in saved energy in the evaporation.

Optimizing the operation parameters of the washers affects the efficiency of the washer’s operation and thus also the washing results. Even with a smaller amount of washing liquid, a sufficient carryover level of the pulp can be achieved for the following processes, if the washer works more efficiently. On the other hand, the dilution factor directly affects the load going to evaporation. Recently, the price of electricity in Europe has fluctuated strongly, and the energy economy of pulp mills has been viewed even more closely.

In this work, an on-line efficiency calculation based on total dissolved solids measurements was built for washers after cooking. The optimum driving mode for the washers was studied by experimenting with different feed and washing consistencies and monitoring the washer’s operation with real-time TDS measurements.

The effects of air/gas on the washing performance were also studied.

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