ANDRITZ Digitalization Helps Customers Save Energy
Energy Consumption in Pulp & Paper
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global pulp and paper energy consumption grew from 412 TWh in 2010 to 441 TWh in 2018. This increase in energy demand closely tracks worldwide production increases.
In fact, according to the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), the industry reduced its specific energy consumption (MWh/t of paper produced) by 21% since 2005 and CO2 emissions by 44% since 1990. And, in response to increased societal pressure towards sustainability (ESG), the pulp and paper sector intends to build on these achievements and reduce its specific energy usage by another 25% by 2030.
As energy prices have significantly increased due to a shortage of natural gas in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the industry’s energy conservation efforts equally impact ESG and shareholder value.
ANDRITZ Solutions
In support of our customer’s “circle to zero” journey, ANDRITZ provides a host of proven equipment, wear parts, and process technologies.
We also offer a wide range of digital technologies and automation solutions that can be deployed in pursuit of energy conservation. For instance, the ANDRITZ Automation Solution Finder helps customers identify process optimization opportunities with its wide-ranging data analysis and simulation tools and techniques.
Fiber GPS™
With the recent introduction of Metris Fiber GPS™, we’ve taken a key step in our journey towards the autonomous mill via digital online simulation and optimization.
Fiber GPS™, in essence, is a solid stock-prep simulation tool that predicts pulp sheet qualities being fed into the machine chest and the headbox (basis weight equivalent) as a function of fiber mix, refiner makes and sizes, applied refiner powers, installed plate patterns, and flows and consistencies of a mill’s entire refining plant.
On top of this Digital Twin functionality, the tool gives the customer agency by providing optimized system settings through its proprietary optimizer algorithm. The algorithm can pursue a wide range of customer goals including minimum energy consumption, least cost fiber mix, lower basis weight, or all of these at once.
In a recent proof of concept (POC) deployment at a packaging-grade manufacturer in Europe, the customer target was energy savings. The system uncovered potential energy savings of 3-8%, or 2-5,000 MWh/year.
Fiber GPS™ can be implemented in an advisory role (optimization-assisted operation) or fully developed into an inline digital controller in conjunction with the ANDRITZ refiner control APC.
How to achieve fiber lines quality excellence
ANDRITZ's digitalization efforts are helping customers in the pulp and paper industry save energy and reduce their environmental impact. As the industry continues to pursue sustainability goals, partnerships with companies like ANDRITZ that offer innovative solutions are becoming increasingly valuable.
With the introduction of tools like Fiber GPS™, ANDRITZ can help customers optimize their processes, reduce energy consumption, and achieve better quality. By working together, our partners can make meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future with quality excellence.
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Optimize your fiber mix and refiner power with Fiber GPS™ Learn how Fiber GPS™ can lead you to fiber excellence, also helping you maximize your production efficiency, reduce costs, and decrease energy consumption. |
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Simulation-Assisted Operation Our brochure provides detailed information on the features and benefits of Fiber GPS™. Download it now and take the first step toward transforming your production process. |
