Analysis of alternative secondary heat uses to improve energy efficiency – Case: mechanical pulp and paper mill

This paper discusses different possibilities to reduce primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions by increasing the energy efficiency of an integrated process plant. Firstly, possible opportunities for heat saving inside a mill were analyzed. After that, optional uses for the recovered amount of heat were identified. The effects of change were then evaluated. The primary evaluation criteria were the mill’s primary energy consumption and the CO2 emissions of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. The optional heat uses considered were: sludge drying, bark drying and a combination of the two.