A simpler approach to challenging pulp stock flow measurement
Making paper is complicated enough. Measuring pulp stock doesn’t have to add to the paperwork.
Thick consistency, suspended solids, wood chips, chemicals and other debris can make pulp stock a challenging flow application. For one large paper mill, those conditions were creating maintenance issues with existing meters, while several critical lines had no flow measurement at all.
And with no planned outage for up to two years, installing traditional inline meters wasn’t a practical option.
The Challenge
Accurate pulp stock flow measurement helps maintain process control and identify potential clogs, but the process itself can be tough on traditional instrumentation.
Existing differential pressure meters at the mill required significant maintenance as thick pulp stock and suspended solids clogged impulse lines and wore down components.
The mill needed a better way to measure flow, preferably one that didn’t require cutting into the pipe, shutting down the process or adding another maintenance headache.
Clamp On. Measure. Keep Moving.
Panametrics recommended a PT900 portable clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter to test the application.
The meter and transducers were mounted externally on a 16-inch carbon steel line in less than 30 minutes. No cutting. No tapping. No process shutdown.
The mill was able to establish flow measurement on a line carrying approximately 3,000 to 5,000 GPM, with measured flow aligning with expected rates based on the mill’s pump curves.
Most importantly, they were able to prove the technology without interrupting production.
From Portable Test to Permanent Measurement
With the application proven, the mill identified seven lines for permanent clamp-on flow measurement using Panametrics AT600 meters.
Because the transducers mount completely outside the pipe, the AT600 provides continuous flow measurement without introducing anything into the pulp stock itself.
That means:
- No process penetration
- No moving parts
- No shutdown required for installation
- No obstruction in the flow path
- Reduced maintenance
- Reliable measurement in a challenging application
Less Hassle. Better Flow.
For difficult pulp and paper applications, sometimes the best measurement solution is the one that never touches the process.
TechStar can help evaluate challenging flow applications with portable clamp-on flow testing and surveys, giving you the opportunity to prove the technology on your actual process before moving to a permanent installation.
Less downtime. Less maintenance. Less paperwork.
Have a difficult flow application? Let’s test it.
