b'PULP REFININGFinally, the customer receives a report of the current performance of the refining line, recommendations on Removal ofhow to improve the situation accordingDelamination andprimary fibreto the targets (including alternativeswelling of fibres wall and S1 layerrefining scenarios, if applicable), and a follow-up if modifications are carried out as per the recommendation.In most cases, there is room forInternal and improvement. external fibrillationOPTIMISATION OF REFINING Shortening of finesIf the customer wants, the analysis made by FORE software can be complemented with optimisationCreation of finesof mill refining. Mill samples areStraightening of fibrescollected and analysed before and after modifications in refining conditions, for example, refining fillings. Based on these results, Mets Fibres technical customerFigure 2. Effects of refining fibre.service experts give refining recommendations. COST SAVINGSTHE TARGET OF REFININGThe purpose of the Pulp Refining AuditThe target of the refining is to obtain Mets Fibre has profound knowledgeis to get the customers process rightadditional strength to pulp fibres. of refining pulp for various paperat once. Correct refining saves energy,Refining improves the bonding ability grades, broad experience of variousminimises material cost, increasesof fibres so that they form a strong and refiners and fillings as well as in-depthmachine runnability and improvessmooth paper sheet with converting expertise on various pulp grades. end-product performance. All of theseproperties.factors lead to cost savings.In most cases, the best result isIt is important to notice that refining achieved when numerical data isAlong with the refining process, also theimpairs some pulp properties. The integrated with the comprehensivefibre ratio can be optimised. It is oftenfurther the pulp is refined, the moreCorrect know-how of Mets Fibres customerpossible to reduce the amount of morebrightness, opacity and bulk decrease.refining service experts. For example, whenexpensive softwood pulp in the furnish. Too extensive refining also consumessaves the type of refiner is known, theenergy, and in spite of long refining, experts can tell if the consistency ofWhen the refining process is optimised,the pulp furnish does not necessarilyenergy, the pulp is correct for that specifictotal energy consumption oftendevelop wanted properties.minimises refiner. decreases. The savings can be severalmaterial hundred thousand USD annually. The purpose of refining is to fibrillatecost, Mets Fibre is also able to help infibres for a good sheet strength andincreases designing a new refiner line. It hasBetter runnability of the paper orformation or to develop other pulpmachine been agreed with some customers thatpaperboard machine is also a sourceproperties such as absorbency,runnability they will not replace the refiner untilof significant cost savings. Thanks toporosity, high density, or opticaland improves the experts have checked whether itbetter strength and dewatering, theproperties specifically for a given end-product fits into their process. machine speed can be higher. paper grade.performance.14 WORLD PULP&PAPER'