Impact on energy conservation of automatic control systems utilization in the US pulp and paper industry

This study is concerned with the energy and other resource benefits resulting from the computerized automation of processes in the US pulp and paper industry. The primary objectives were to characterize the state of the art of computer controls in the industry and to pinpoint the problem areas that limit their further use. The study lasted approximately 4 months. An exhaustive survey of all the possible technologies in use, or under development, was not possible. The main conclusions are that the pulping and recovery operations offer the greatest potential for reducing energy use by computer control, and that effective hierarchical control at the plant level requires the integration of these operations into one or more control loops. No control system has been found that provides reliable, fully automated control of recovery boilers for an extended period of time. The total technical potential for fuel savings was estimated at 0.2 quadrillion Btu's a year, or the equivalent of 94,000 barrels of oil per day