Pulp Drying Pilot Plant
At Valmet’s Fiber Technology Center in Inkeroinen, Finland, pulp drying development moves far beyond theory. The Pulp Drying Pilot Plant is a global benchmark for testing, improving, and developing pulp drying processes in real production like conditions. With a complete wet end, in-house laboratory, and Valmet experts on site, concepts are validated and turned into measurable results.
Developing grades and processes
The pilot plant supports the development of new pulp grades, optimization of existing processes, and simulation of rebuilds and conversions before moving to full-scale investments.
“We can run tests with different pulp grades, such as market pulp, dissolving pulp, and fluff,” says Timo Kari, Technology Engineer for Pulp Drying at Valmet. “It is also typical to study how different raw materials, softwood, hardwood, or carefully selected mixes, affect end-product properties, like tensile strength.”
Timo Kari, Technology Engineer for Pulp Drying, testing new concepts at the Pulp Drying Pilot Plant.
“For the process improvements, we can for example measure different flows and pressure losses related to headbox functionality, or test variable nip loads and study dryness development in a controlled manner,” he adds.
A flexible pilot machine
The heart of the pulp drying plant is a flexible pilot machine, that allows multiple configurations and testing possibilities across the headbox, forming section, and press section.
The forming section includes all the concepts: fourdrinier, top former, and gap former. A movable headbox allows different wire table lengths. The press section is equally versatile with mill scale press roll diameters and multiple press configurations including two shoe presses, a long nip press, a combi press, and a lump breaker.
The pilot machine is 45 meters long and one meter wide and reflects a real-world wet end line in every detail.
Confidence before commitment
The Pulp Drying Pilot Plant offers customers a safe testing environment without disturbing their own production or risking product losses.
The in-house laboratory and expert support provide fast and reliable results, giving customers immediate feedback and clear data throughout the development work.
“Here, customers can make decisions based on proven results instead of assumptions. Compared to lab-made pulp sheets, the pilot plant provides real-life product quality. It is easy to compare raw materials, and produce and analyse end products. These efforts have been the basis for many innovations and patented solutions,” Kari summarizes.
Whether the goal is higher quality, improved efficiency, or better runnability, we can develop the optimal solution together to move your performance forward.
Pulp Drying Pilot Plant
- Max capacity > 600 tons/meter
- Speed >400 m/min
- Basis weight range 600 – 1,500 g/m2
- Total length of machine 45 meters
- Wire and felt width 1,000 mm
- Mill scale press roll diameters
- Automatic tail threading through all open draws
It is easy to compare raw materials, and produce and analyse end products.