Wood Handling Studies Improve Production Economics

Purpose

To achieve the optimal balance between economy and quality, debarking studies represent a crucial tool, leveraging proximity to the factory and expert knowledge.

Significant savings can be realized by identifying the most effective method for debarking wood. For instance, if a facility with a wood cost of one billion kronor can reduce wood losses by just one percent, this translates to savings of ten million kronor. Regularly handling wood from various sources or sizes not only saves money but also ensures a more consistent pulp quality through a more uniform blending of wood in the debarking drum.

A debarking study is an extensive process, beginning with the systematic selection of approximately 200 logs from different batches at the wood yard. A section of wood is cut from each log to ensure that damage from harvesting or transportation does not affect the analysis. For each sample, bark or sapwood is removed with a knife to measure bark content, dry matter content, density, and diameter.

The selected batches are then processed through the debarking drum, and samples are taken to determine the amount of wood in the bark fraction, as well as wood chip samples that pass through the chip screen to measure bark content. These tests allow for the calculation of bark content, debarking efficiency, and wood loss for each batch, guiding discussions on optimizing the drum operation or the mixture of different wood types.

The residence time in the drum is measured by color-marking approximately 100 logs and timing from input until the logs exit the drum. Since heavy and long logs tend to move more quickly and have a shorter residence time than other logs, it's crucial that the selection of color-marked logs represents the wood used in a representative manner.

Method

The study is conducted both on-site at the mill and in our specialized facilities at RISE. By combining these two environments, we can achieve a comprehensive and versatile understanding of the process or product under investigation.

By combining studies conducted both at the mill and in our specialized facilities, we achieve a comprehensive understanding of the process or product under investigation. This enables us to identify any challenges or areas for improvement and develop tailored solutions that meet our customers' specific needs and requirements.

Delivery

RISE offers a report that includes data in Excel format and relevant images and diagrams. It is carefully compiled using standard methods for the conducted analyses. The report also includes an assessment of measurement uncertainty to ensure the reliability of the presented results. All relevant parameters significant to the specific analysis are included to provide a comprehensive picture of the situation. Additionally, detailed comments and explanations are provided to offer further insight and understanding of the presented data.

Standard Report (Quotation):

RISE provides a comprehensive report where results are presented in a clear manner through concise but informative sections with clear diagrams and tables. This report structure is designed to make it easy for customers and stakeholders to quickly grasp the presented results without having to delve into extensive texts.

In-depth Report (Quotation):

If desired, there is an option for a more detailed report on quotation where RISE has the capacity to create a more detailed scientific report based on the results and background information provided by the customer. This report may include an in-depth analysis of data, extensive discussions on methodology and results, as well as a thorough assessment of relevant factors and contexts. By utilizing the latest research and expertise in the field, RISE can provide a thorough understanding of the observed results and their implications.