Utvärdering av möjligheten till energioptimering för pumpning av vitlut för kontinuerlig kokning av sulfatmassa vid Smurfit Kappa Piteå

• Main Author: Lundmark, Daniel
• Format: Bachelor Thesis
• Language: Swedish
• Published: Umeå universitet, Institutionen för tillämpad fysik och elektronik 2022
• Subjects: Energy Engineering; Energiteknik; Pressure Point; Piteå
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-192047

The goal of this thesis is to investigate the optimization possibilities of a white liquor pump in a pulp mill. Through the implementation of a new process solution, the potential energy and financial saving opportunities are analyzed. The process solution is based on different proposals from suppliers that are presented in the report and the financial savings and potential power savings opportunities are presented. These saving opportunities are based on the power difference between today’s white liquor pump and the proposed pump. The potential energy savings opportunities are in the region of 200 000 kWh per year. With an energy cost 0.8 SEK per kWh this represents a financial savings opportunity of approximately 160 000 sek each year. The outflow pressure varies depending on the level in the white liquor cistern, and the outlet pressure from the white liquor cistern determines the suction side of the white liquor pump. The theoretical power needed to pump the white liquor to different positions along the white liquor line varies depending on the pipe length between the positions. In the white liquor, there are mesa particles and these particles can build encrust inside the pipes, which can cause significant pressure drops. Turning the impeller from 399 mm to 370 mm is the most optimal process solution. With a 370 mm impeller is it possible to use a single pump with a spare pump configuration, instead of the current parallel pump configuration. Today’s parallel pump configuration is less energy effective than having a single pump solution with a spare pump. To achieve the lowest theoretical effect this process can have with the same production flow, the pressure side of the white liquor pumps must be one bar above the lowest pressure point the booster pump can handle on its suction side before cavitation occurs. This thesis is an investigation on how to build the most optimal process solution as possible, meanwhile it follows the sustainability plan that Smurfit Kappa has in its corporate strategy.