Development and demonstration of the use of modular thermo-mechanical pulpmill simulation models to develop energy reduction strategies

The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) has received a project grant from the US DOE to develop and demonstrate the use of realtime process simulation modeling as a means of process analysis and optimization. The Project, to be conducted under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), will target a Thermo-Mechanical Pulping (TMP) operation as the site for the commercial implementation of the technology. IPST and a sub-contractor, SACDA Inc. (SACDA), will cooperate in a two-to-three year effort to produce an on-line simulation program having both steady-state and dynamic modeling capabilities. The Project will take advantage of a current IPST and SACDA joint development effort to merge the IPST's MAPPS (Modular Analysis of Pulp and Paper Systems) program with SACD's MASSBAL program. Using the combined proprietary programs, realtime'' steady-state and dynamic TMP models will be developed and installed as part of a millwide'' information/analysis system. By utilizing the Performance Attribute (PAT) Modeling concept developed at IPST, the models will have the capability of optimizing energy usage and other process operating variables as a function of pulp quality. The primary goal of the Project is to demonstrate that on-line simulation models can provide assistance to operators and managers in day-to-day operations. By embedding simulation analysis techniques such as data reconciliation and what if,'' optimization, and look ahead'' scenarios within the program executive, timely process data and information, not otherwise available, will be provided to the operator. Such data and information can be used by the operator for process analysis, optimization and planning and/or to provide setpoints for open or closed loop advanced control strategies