Abstract: A technique for latency removal which can be effected without introducing a significant lag time can advance analysis of pulp for feedback control thermo-mechanical pulp applications. The process for analyzing a pulp material includes: (a) collecting a representative sample of the pulp material, (b) adjusting the consistency of the sample to yield an adjusted pulp sample, (c) employing a disintegrator to release latency from the pulp that is in the adjusted pulp sample to form a pulp composition that is substantially free of latent properties, and (d) analyzing the pulp composition to measure at least one pulp quality.

Abstract: Thermomechanical pulp is an important process for producing fibrous mass used in papermaking. A two-level control strategy that stabilizes and optimizes the refining process has been developed. The Stabilization layer consists of a multivariable model predicative range controller that regulates the refiner line operations. The Quality Optimization layer provides the pulp quality control as measured by an online pulp quality (freeness, fibre length) sensor. This control startegy leverages the natural decoupling in the process. The modular design technique is able to handle multiple refiner lines that empty into a common latency chest. A global optimizer is also used to integrate and coordinate the two layers for enhanced constraint handling.