Pulp Fractionation Model for Paper Quality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is challenging to accurately assess and control the paper-technical properties of paper, paperboard, or board products due to variations in paper pulp quality, which requires significant time and resources to achieve desired qualities.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize fractionation of fibre-water suspensions to model and control paper-technical properties by determining properties of pulp samples and end products, generating a predictive model to adjust manufacturing processes in real-time, ensuring consistent quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If paper pulp quality is kept stable to ensure consistent end product quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time and resources increases due to the difficulty of maintaining stability and the need for extensive searching for suitable pulp properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend product quality consistencyVSAvoidtime and resources for searching pulp properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining properties of the liquid fibre pulp sample before manufacturing the end product. A model is generated in advance that connects pulp properties to end product properties, enabling prediction and control before the actual manufacturing process occurs. This eliminates the need for time-consuming trial-and-error searching during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the generated model to control properties of the liquid fibre pulp based on desired end product properties. The system continuously monitors pulp properties and adjusts them according to the model's predictions, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains consistency while reducing resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If traditional methods are used to assess paper pulp quality, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately determine pulp quality's impact on end product properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulp quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of fractionation and modeling system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by fractionating the liquid fibre pulp sample into different particle size fractions. This allows separate determination of properties for each fraction, providing detailed insights into how specific fibre size distributions affect end product properties. The complex assessment is broken down into manageable fractional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computational model as an intermediary between pulp property measurements and end product quality assessment. The model processes the fractionated pulp data and predicts end product properties, bridging the gap between complex measurements and practical quality assessment without requiring direct complex testing of final products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If extensive searching and testing is performed to find suitable paper pulp properties, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend product quality controlVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary determination of pulp properties and generates the predictive model before manufacturing begins. This advance preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming searching and testing during production, allowing rapid adjustment to achieve desired quality without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses real-time feedback control based on the pre-generated model to maintain pulp properties within optimal ranges. This continuous monitoring and adjustment ensures manufacturing precision is maintained while preventing the need for extensive re-testing and rework that would reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables real-time control of end product properties, reducing resource wastage and improving efficiency in producing paper products of desired quality by accurately modeling and adjusting pulp properties throughout the manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

the particles of which are arranged according to the particle size in a fractionator into different fractions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFractionation: Fractionation

Implementation Method 2

arranged according to the particle size in a fractionator into different fractions, from which at least one property is determined with at least two particle sizes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic flow resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP2417497B1Modelling of a property of paper, paperboard or board
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 VALMET AUTOMATION OY
  • EP2417497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2417497B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2417497B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Properties of an end product (206), such as paper, paperboard or board, are important for the user of the end product (206). To be able to manufacture an end product (206) of desired quality, it is important to know what kind of paper pulp used for manufacturing the end product (206) results in a particular kind of property of the end product. Embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for generating a model, which model connects at least one property of the end product (206) with at least one property of the paper pulp. On the basis of the model, also the manufacturing process can be controlled.