Sappi to Use All Metso Valves in Ngodwana Dissolving Pulp Expansion Project

Sappi, South Africa, will use automated process valves supplied by Metso, Finland, in its fiberline expansion at the Ngodwana mill. In this project, called Go-Cell, the existing fiberline is being expanded to produce chemical (specialized) cellulose, also known as dissolving pulp. In total, more than 700 automated valves will be delivered during the final quarter of 2012, and the mill startup is scheduled for early 2013.

Metso will provide all of the automated on-off and control valves with intelligent Profibus positioners for the new fiberline, and for upgraded process areas in evaporation, recausticizing, and ash leaching. The delivery includes valves in stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, titanium, SMO, and ceramic material in sizes from DN25 to DN500. All valves are equipped with pneumatic cylinder actuators and intelligent positioners or limit switches. The delivery also includes Neles metal-seated ball valves, segment and triple eccentric Neldisc butterfly valves, as well as Jamesbury soft-seated ball valves.

In addition to typical process valves, Metso will also supply specially designed high-consistency valves for the fiberline as well as capping and discharge valves for six batch digesters for the cooking plant. All of these high-performance solutions will support the mill's goals of increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

The expanded fiberline will produce 210, 000 metric tpy of chemical (specialized) cellulose, which is widely used in the textile, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Sappi is the global leader in chemical (specialized) cellulose production.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/