Pulp and Paper

Process integration is a powerful approach to improving the energy efficiency of large and complex industrial facilities with energy-intensive systems.

Energy Consumption Reduction

Generally, process integration studies conducted in pulp and paper plants generate savings of 15 to 35% of a plant’s total steam use, with project payback periods ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Additional energy savings of 5 to 15% can often be achieved by monitoring energy consumption, ensuring proper equipment maintenance, replacing faulty steam traps, and making certain changes to the process.

Potential savings depend on the importance given by plant staff to reducing energy consumption as well as on the complexity of the process, the types of products manufactured at the plant, and also how quickly heat transfer equipment becomes fouled.

The following success stories illustrate the results achieved through the implementation of process integration projects in Canadian pulp and paper plants:

• Smurfit-Stone, La Tuque, QC
• Tembec, Skookumchuck, BC
• Cascades: Norampac, Red Rock, ON, and Rolland, St-Jérôme, QC
• Bowater Mersey Paper, Liverpool, NS