Reduced water and energy usage at Papierfabrik Palm following successful start-up of Voith BlueLine stock preparation unit

“We wanted the new stock preparation unit to deliver high-quality furnish plus greater sustainability through energy savings and the efficient use of resources,” says Dr. Andreas Haas, Chief of Engineering at Palm. “We are realizing these goals thanks to Voith’s technical expertise, customized solution and professional implementation.”

Cutting-edge technology based on comprehensive expertise
The efficient use of resources is made possible by a combination of tried and tested sub-systems, proven machines and modern automation. As a result, the seamlessly coordinated BlueLine process dispenses with the need for the intermediate vats, additional tanks and agitators that often interrupt operation in conventional systems. This simplification saves on pumps, piping and valves, and consequently, the energy for their operation. Energy savings of up to 20 percent are therefore possible compared with conventional systems.

“The start-up of the stock preparation line at Palm in Aalen is further evidence of Voith’s commitment to constantly exploit new opportunities to save energy and use resources efficiently,” says Dr. Michael Trefz, President Projects at Voith. “We will continue to deploy all our knowledge and innovative strength to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals.”

As well as greater energy efficiency, the new system also saves significant volumes of water. To achieve this, Voith’s complete AquaLine Flex water management system, including wet end process, was installed. In combination with a special disc filter configuration, the process also ensures that only very clean filtrate gets into the wastewater treatment system. As a result, the water management system does not need a primary clarifier.

Higher fiber yield, energy-saving pulping
Palm also achieves more efficiency due to increased fiber yield in the screening process. Thanks to its optimized machine housing, the IntegraScreen ensures consistent flow and pressure conditions around the screen basket, which results in high contaminant separation efficiencies. In addition, equally efficient and energy-saving pulping is achieved through the IntensaPulper. The special vat geometry and asymmetric arrangement of the rotor creates an internal flow pattern in the IntensaPulper that converts flow energy into pulping performance. This allows energy savings of more than 20 percent. Moreover, the HiClean HCL5-I cleaner offers a high intake stock consistency that is also reflected in low energy consumption.

“The BlueLine OCC stock preparation unit at Palm clearly shows that sustainability, efficiency and high yield can go hand in hand. The vision of a sustainable future for paper manufacturing is becoming a tangible reality,” says Roland Rauch, Project Manager at Voith.