Refining Efficiency for Future CTMP and TMP systems Co-optimizing Fundamental Wood Material Knowledge with a Soft Sensor Control Approach

Internal variables in (C)TMP-refining processes (e.g. temperature, consistency, fiber residence time, backward flowing steam and forces acting upon the chips and pulp) are defined as physical states obtained in different parts of the refining zones. In short, they differ from the traditional external variables (e.g. dilution water feed rate, load and gap distance) which are not available as distributed variables from refining zone measurements. The internal variables are the backbone of physical models and such models can be used for on-line implementation of soft sensors and advanced process control. Of special interest are the temperature and consistency profiles together with fiber residence time, which are the internal variables in focus of (in) this study. Moreover, they are directly linked to pulp and handsheet property development. To illustrate the capability to use a modeling strategy, two examples are given; one where it is shown how to reach a 40% reduction in specific energy in a CD82-refiner using a new control strategy without violating the pulp properties studied and one example where the consistency can be controlled individually in two parallel Twin refining zones. Hence, the article comprises both temperature and consistency control to reach optimal process conditions. We believe that increased fundamental understanding of the role of the spatially dependent viscosity in refining in general will be a key factor to find ways to further improve energy efficiency of refining

Refining Efficiency for Future CTMP and TMP systems Co-optimizing Fundamental Wood Material Knowledge with a Soft Sensor Control Approach

Internal variables in (C)TMP-refining processes (e.g. temperature, consistency, fiber residence time, backward flowing steam and forces acting upon the chips and pulp) are defined as physical states obtained in different parts of the refining zones. In short, they differ from the traditional external variables (e.g. dilution water feed rate, load and gap distance) which are not available as distributed variables from refining zone measurements. The internal variables are the backbone of physical models and such models can be used for on-line implementation of soft sensors and advanced process control. Of special interest are the temperature and consistency profiles together with fiber residence time, which are the internal variables in focus of (in) this study. Moreover, they are directly linked to pulp and handsheet property development. To illustrate the capability to use a modeling strategy, two examples are given; one where it is shown how to reach a 40% reduction in specific energy in a CD82-refiner using a new control strategy without violating the pulp properties studied and one example where the consistency can be controlled individually in two parallel Twin refining zones. Hence, the article comprises both temperature and consistency control to reach optimal process conditions. We believe that increased fundamental understanding of the role of the spatially dependent viscosity in refining in general will be a key factor to find ways to further improve energy efficiency of refining

Using the refining zone temperature profile for quality control

To achieve good quality control in TMP refining, relevant information about the process is needed. In this paper, the refining zone temperature profile has been studied to investigate if this information can be used to stabilize the pulp quality. The studied system is a commercial RTS primary refiner at Hallsta Paper mill. The response of the temperature profile was examined and compared with the pulp quality disturbances after both the first and second stage. The disturbances in the radial position of the temperature peak were found to be strongly correlated with the disturbances in freeness and mean fiber length. Based on these results, a new control strategy was designed to keep the peak position constant by changing the inlet pressure. This new control strategy decreased the freeness disturbances compared to the mill\u27s normal strategy, and analysis suggests that the disturbances could be further reduced by including also the maximum temperature in the control concept. The potential of improvement in terms of reduced standard deviation of CSF was estimated to 11% or more. The comparison indicates that temperature parameters are better than the commonly used specific energy when it comes to predicting and reducing these quality disturbances

Improved hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical pulps using carbon dioxide in combination with sodium and magnesium based alkali sources

The pH-profile in the hydrogen peroxide bleaching stage of a Norway spruce thermomechanical pulp was levelled out by using carbon dioxide in combination with sodium or magnesium based alkali sources. Addition of carbon dioxide when magnesium hydroxide was used as the alkali source increased the pulp brightness with up to 1.5 brightness units when the bleaching was performed at 70 \ub0C. When the temperature was increased from 70\ub0C to 90 \ub0C the brightness was increased with about two brightness units, addition of carbon dioxide increased it further. The residual hydrogen peroxide and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels were not affected as a consequence of the carbon dioxide addition. In the experiments where sodium hydroxide was used as the alkali source, addition of carbon dioxide lowered the pH that resulted in a decreased COD level, a slightly lower brightness level and, to some extent, an increased residual hydrogen peroxide level

Using the refining zone temperature profile for quality control

To achieve good quality control in TMP refining, relevant information about the process is needed. In this paper, the refining zone temperature profile has been studied to investigate if this information can be used to stabilize the pulp quality. The studied system is a commercial RTS primary refiner at Hallsta Paper mill. The response of the temperature profile was examined and compared with the pulp quality disturbances after both the first and second stage. The disturbances in the radial position of the temperature peak were found to be strongly correlated with the disturbances in freeness and mean fiber length. Based on these results, a new control strategy was designed to keep the peak position constant by changing the inlet pressure. This new control strategy decreased the freeness disturbances compared to the mill\u27s normal strategy, and analysis suggests that the disturbances could be further reduced by including also the maximum temperature in the control concept. The potential of improvement in terms of reduced standard deviation of CSF was estimated to 11% or more. The comparison indicates that temperature parameters are better than the commonly used specific energy when it comes to predicting and reducing these quality disturbances

Improved hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical pulps using carbon dioxide in combination with sodium and magnesium based alkali sources

The pH-profile in the hydrogen peroxide bleaching stage of a Norway spruce thermomechanical pulp was levelled out by using carbon dioxide in combination with sodium or magnesium based alkali sources. Addition of carbon dioxide when magnesium hydroxide was used as the alkali source increased the pulp brightness with up to 1.5 brightness units when the bleaching was performed at 70 \ub0C. When the temperature was increased from 70\ub0C to 90 \ub0C the brightness was increased with about two brightness units, addition of carbon dioxide increased it further. The residual hydrogen peroxide and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels were not affected as a consequence of the carbon dioxide addition. In the experiments where sodium hydroxide was used as the alkali source, addition of carbon dioxide lowered the pH that resulted in a decreased COD level, a slightly lower brightness level and, to some extent, an increased residual hydrogen peroxide level

Can we increase the proportion of electrical energy into fibre development in existing HC-refiners?

Currently some 5 % of the electrical energy input in high consistency refining can be attributed to fibre development work. The rest is related to thermo- dynatnical steam generation. Can this unfavourable relation between fibre development and heat generation eventually be improved? A pre-requisite to consistent improvement is a stable process, controlled to targets deduced from profound process evaluations. This statement is elaborated based on two case studies and extensive refiner modelling. It is indicated that a well designed process including its basic process control can with proper refiner control reach energy reductions in excess of 20 %. Proper selections of process targets aligned with choice of segments can further increase the energy reduction in existing lines. These drastic energy reductions will demand concurrent observations and process modelling based on spatial measurements in the refining zone rather than slow, inadequate feedback control from pulp property measurements downstream. This will furthermore stress the need for more advanced control schemes if the full potential is to be captured. Additionally this approach will be a key element in the development of novel process approaches with even larger potential of energy reduction

Can we increase the proportion of electrical energy into fibre development in existing HC-refiners?

Currently some 5 % of the electrical energy input in high consistency refining can be attributed to fibre development work. The rest is related to thermo- dynatnical steam generation. Can this unfavourable relation between fibre development and heat generation eventually be improved? A pre-requisite to consistent improvement is a stable process, controlled to targets deduced from profound process evaluations. This statement is elaborated based on two case studies and extensive refiner modelling. It is indicated that a well designed process including its basic process control can with proper refiner control reach energy reductions in excess of 20 %. Proper selections of process targets aligned with choice of segments can further increase the energy reduction in existing lines. These drastic energy reductions will demand concurrent observations and process modelling based on spatial measurements in the refining zone rather than slow, inadequate feedback control from pulp property measurements downstream. This will furthermore stress the need for more advanced control schemes if the full potential is to be captured. Additionally this approach will be a key element in the development of novel process approaches with even larger potential of energy reduction

10-year stroke prevention after successful carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenosis (ACST-1); a multicentre randomised trial

BACKGROUND: If carotid artery narrowing remains asymptomatic (ie, has caused no recent stroke or other neurological symptoms), successful carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces stroke incidence for some years. We assessed the long-term effects of successful CEA. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2003, 3120 asymptomatic patients from 126 centres in 30 countries were allocated equally, by blinded minimised randomisation, to immediate CEA (median delay 1 month, IQR 0·3-2·5) or to indefinite deferral of any carotid procedure, and were followed up until death or for a median among survivors of 9 years (IQR 6-11). The primary outcomes were perioperative mortality and morbidity (death or stroke within 30 days) and non-perioperative stroke. Kaplan-Meier percentages and logrank p values are from intention-to-treat analyses. This study is registered, number ISRCTN26156392. FINDINGS: 1560 patients were allocated immediate CEA versus 1560 allocated deferral of any carotid procedure. The proportions operated on while still asymptomatic were 89·7% versus 4·8% at 1 year (and 92·1%vs 16·5% at 5 years). Perioperative risk of stroke or death within 30 days was 3·0% (95% CI 2·4-3·9; 26 non-disabling strokes plus 34 disabling or fatal perioperative events in 1979 CEAs). Excluding perioperative events and non-stroke mortality, stroke risks (immediate vs deferred CEA) were 4·1% versus 10·0% at 5 years (gain 5·9%, 95% CI 4·0-7·8) and 10·8% versus 16·9% at 10 years (gain 6·1%, 2·7-9·4); ratio of stroke incidence rates 0·54, 95% CI 0·43-0·68, p<0·0001. 62 versus 104 had a disabling or fatal stroke, and 37 versus 84 others had a non-disabling stroke. Combining perioperative events and strokes, net risks were 6·9% versus 10·9% at 5 years (gain 4·1%, 2·0-6·2) and 13·4% versus 17·9% at 10 years (gain 4·6%, 1·2-7·9). Medication was similar in both groups; throughout the study, most were on antithrombotic and antihypertensive therapy. Net benefits were significant both for those on lipid-lowering therapy and for those not, and both for men and for women up to 75 years of age at entry (although not for older patients). INTERPRETATION: Successful CEA for asymptomatic patients younger than 75 years of age reduces 10-year stroke risks. Half this reduction is in disabling or fatal strokes. Net benefit in future patients will depend on their risks from unoperated carotid lesions (which will be reduced by medication), on future surgical risks (which might differ from those in trials), and on whether life expectancy exceeds 10 years. FUNDING: UK Medical Research Council, BUPA Foundation, Stroke Association