Gaining greater productivity and paper quality is a systematic and continuous process. This statement is especially true for the Wet End of the paper machine. Many strategic additives are introduced to influence machine runnability and paper quality. At the same time there are only few areas of the paper machine with less automatic control. This paper will present two case studies of waste paper-based newsprint machines at the Papierfabrik Palm, Eltmann mill that led to better control in the Wet End. Three years ago, charge control on the 280,000 tpy PM 3 was the first target. A paper was presented at a TAPPI Conference in 2003 explaining; step by step, how charge control can be implemented detailing the benefits to a process. After fixative control was established at PM 3, technicians set up a retention, dewatering-aid and gas-content control systems. The process from choosing the right measurement technique, implementation in the process and finally the closed loop control for the different chemicals is explained in detail. An assessment of realization times, chemical savings and cost-benefit analysis are made. Technicians applied the complete solution to PM 1, the other wastepaper-based machine at the mill, after the total system on PM 3 operated to their satisfaction. Reduced operation costs and enhanced product quality on both paper machines now strengthen Palm Eltmann's ability to be successful in a very competitive market.
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