These analyses are useful for troubleshooting existing equipment, evaluating a proposed reconfiguration and evaluating proposed installations. Rather than doing a “study” with recommendations, we prefer to provide the customer with the option of several alternative solutions and let him make the right decision for his facility based on their production needs, operating costs, and desired return on investment.

For one customer we analyzed four methods for obtaining a required evaporator capacity increase, one of which required the purchase of no new equipment. Since our focus is not on the equipment supply, we don’t hesitate to fairly present the “no new equipment” option.

Completing front-end process engineering is the key to developing a successful capital project. We have the capability to evaluate and design evaporator bodies, heat exchangers, stripping columns and condensers. Our analysis can compare actual operation with proposed future conditions.

Here are a few examples where a system analysis provides added value to the customer:

• Increasing black liquor solids or black liquor flow to the evaporator: Does the evaporator have the capacity to handle the increased production?
• Firing higher percent solids to the recovery boiler: Can the evaporator and concentrator handle the higher product solids?
• Reconfiguring the evaporator to produce higher temperature water: In the past, we have reconfigured evaporators to produce 165°F water while achieving a sizeable increase in evaporator capacity.
• Reducing energy consumption in the evaporator: What projects provide the highest return? Sometimes a minor change in liquor path will yield a higher return than purchasing and installing an external liquor heater.
• Incremental evaporator capacity increases: What modifications are required to meet your production requirements?
• Review equipment supplier bids: Is the supplier selling you more equipment than you need? Is their process design sound? We work for you, not the equipment supplier.