Valmet introduces intelligent fiber furnish control for improved refiner operation

17 Jan 2022 --- Valmet is introducing the Valmet Fiber Furnish Control application package, enabling board and papermakers to stabilize refiner operation for maximized production efficiency with ensured furnish quality.

The Valmet Fiber Furnish Control application can be fully integrated into an existing Valmet DNA Automation System or Valmet IQ Quality Control System.

The solution is also available as a standalone version, including all necessary basic licenses and hardware if required. 

The control presents advanced feedback and feedforward solutions with model predictive control, which are based on the real-time measurements of several fiber properties and “freeness.”

The results are in
For 18 months, the control performance of the Valmet Fiber Furnish Control was recorded at a production site in Finland, where the solution ensured that stock production and quality targets were met from two fiber lines while providing energy savings.

In the fiber refining lines, freeness variability was reduced by 30% to almost 70% compared to the time before the control was introduced. 

Ismo Joensuu, Valmet’s manager for board and paper analyzers in the automation business line, says: “In the one and a half years since the project started, the reduction in web breaks due to the more homogenous fiber furnish resulted in several extra days of production.”

“The best thing was the positive feedback from the operators on how they were able to focus more on controlling the machine when making grade changes.”

Key fiber properties
Typically, refiner controls have been based on specific energy or freeness targets, where key fiber properties such as fiber length, fines, shives and fibrillation are followed.

Valmet Fiber Furnish Control can be connected to a Valmet Fiber Furnish Analyzer, which continuously measures these properties in adjusting the specific energy setpoint for target freeness.

“Another key element of the control is Valmet’s consistency measurements which provide reliable and accurate measurements essential for the stabilizing control functions,” adds Joensuu.

Edited

By Natalie Schwertheim