Great project that was on time and budget. The FLU-ACE project was a great investment [the company] made to have a large impact on our shortage of steam for power production during the winter months - Mill Manager
Several potential heat sources were evaluated for this application, including boiler plant flue gas, lime kiln scrubber exhaust, smelt dissolving tank scrubber exhaust, pulp dryer exhaust and recovery boiler exhaust. The pulp dryer exhaust was identified as the optimal source due to its proximity to key heat users, high temperature and humidity levels, stable flow characteristics and low fouling potential.
The FLU-ACE heat recovery system was engineered to deliver approximately 50 MMBtu per hour of energy during peak winter operation, displacing 50,000 lb per hour of steam that could then be redirected to the mill’s turbines for increased power generation. Prior to installation, this energy was released to the atmosphere in the form of hot air and water vapour from the pulp dryer exhaust.
Recovered energy is now used to:
- Heat 470,000 cubic feet per minute of outside air through nine air heating units
- Preheat process water, including boiler and bleach plant makeup
