Chip Quality Testing Benefits at Gulf States Paper, 1993 Pulping Conference Proceedings

This paper presents a discussion of the development of the chip quality testing program at GSPC, and the three types of testing involved in the program, namely size distribution, bark content determination, and moisture testing. Two major uses of data from this program are shown in addition to other benefits. Size and bark analyses have been used for three years as quality control testing for incoming purchased chips.

As a result, the average bark content of incoming chips from all suppliers has decreased methodically over that period. Operation problems of off-site chip production facilities are routinely detected as a result of random spot checks on incoming truck and rail car shipments. Purchases from suppliers are even terminated if unsatisfactory results continue to occur on a regular basis and no improvement is shown. Secondly, size distribution testing has allowed the mill to track the operation of the chip thickness screening (CTS) systems. After installation of the CTS systems, this testing allowed the mill to see the decrease in oversized and overthick chips in our furnish to the digesters.