14 October 2015, 14:48
New-Indy Containerboard, LLC will start to predict and control sheet strength with Valmet's fiber analyzer solution. The Valmet Pulp Analyzer, also known as Valmet MAP, and a Valmet Pulp to Paper Optimizer advanced process control solution will be installed at New-Indy Containerboard's 1,000 tons per day containerboard machine in Ontario, California, USA. The project will be implemented during the fourth quarter of 2015.
This will be the first 100% recycled furnish containerboard machine in the world to employ the prediction of important linerboard and corrugating medium sheet strength tests through online fiber analysis. It's also the 200th online fiber analyzer delivered by Valmet globally.
The order is included in Valmet's third quarter 2015 orders received. The value of the order is not disclosed.
Better prediction with modelling
Kris Anderson, Production Manager at New-Indy, explains the multiple benefits the mill staff foresees: "With strength prediction and model-based controls we expect that we will get more speed from the board machine and run lower basis weights, hence fiber savings on some grades. That is where the return of investment is. We will get a better model of our sheet strength properties and that will improve our quality variability in terms of STFI, Concora and Mullen tests. This modeling capability was a key factor in our decision to buy from Valmet."
Kevin VanPembrook, Valmet's North American Product Manager, says: "This order not only represents the 200th Valmet MAP sold since it was launched in 2005, but it is the first of our newly re-designed Pulp to Paper Optimizer Solution for low-consistency refining at the paper machine. This solution gives additional benefits for our customers, because it continuously predicts their final paper or board strength, and offers a multi-variable control platform to optimize it.
Technical details about the delivery
Valmet Pulp Analyzer's fiber imaging module is equipped with technology that enables the analysis of fiber fibrillation created during refining as well as many other fiber properties important for predicting board sheet strength tests. The fiber furnish samples are taken by Valmet SD 103 process sampling devices at multiple points in cycles of a few minutes. In addition, the analyzer is equipped with the CSF freeness module.
Valmet's Pulp to Paper Optimizer Solution is a multi-variable advanced process control that manages low-consistency refining conditions to consistently achieve final paper or board functional specifications.