TAPPI EPE Form
Rapid At-line and On-line Determination of Pulp Mill Process Variables
Dr. Brian Curtiss and Don Campbell
ABSTRACT
Near Infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy is being used increasingly as a technique to provide information necessary to optimize the pulp making process. Material properties of interest are related to measured reflectance using statistical techniques. The advantage of the technique is the speed of measurement and the ability to perform non-contact measurements. Analyzer systems have been developed for both at-line and over-the-conveyor on-line installations. The development of an NIR calibration involves five steps: 1) a set of samples with known physical or chemical properties is assembled; 2) the NIR reflectance spectra of this sample set are collected; 3) the spectra and the properties of interest are correlated using one of several multivariate techniques; 4) the reliability of each calibration is validated; and, 5) the validated calibrations are used to predict properties of interest for unknown samples. Examples presented include: at-line analysis of pulp kappa and brightness; on-line analysis of lime mud moisture and color; and, on-line analysis of wood chip moisture and blue-stain.
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