Background

During the last decade, the interest for process optimization has increased rapidly as a consequence of the increased electricity price in many countries and it is almost an understatement that the industrial representatives nowadays are eager to search for more efficient and innovative process strategies.

As a result of the increased interest Chalmers University of Technology and Beinzero started a research project together with StoraEnso, SCA, Holmen Paper and Norske Skog in Scandinavia to find new and effective ways to save energy in refining processes. Primarily, the project was focused on three intertwined challenges related to “Physical Modeling”, “Process Optimization and Control”, “Pulp and Handsheet Property Estimation“, important when approaching more energy efficient refining conditions.