Valmet (Finland) reports that its new Chip 'n' Bark Moisture Analyzer (Valmet CBA) offers pulp mills a new tool to advance productivity and efficiency. Continuously measuring wood chip moisture provides the means to accurately control cooking liquor to chip mass ratio for improved digester operation. When applied to monitor biomass moisture, better boiler efficiency is enabled by the continuous indication of heating value to optimize fuel feeding control and supplementary fuel use. 

Valmet CBA replaces time consuming oven dry laboratory measurements by utilizing microwave technology to continuously measure chip, bark, forest residue biomass, or recycled wood moisture. A sample flow is taken from the conveyer chute, pushed through the unobstructed measurement chamber, and then returned to the chute. Disturbances that affect conveyor mounted instruments have been eliminated with the innovative design and measurement concept.

"As chip and biomass moisture have such a great effect on productivity and efficiency, the continuous measurement provided by Valmet CBA can be effectively used in real time control and provide a rapid return on investment. Together with Valmet's other successful analyzers and controls, it is another tool for the complete optimization of the pulp mill and power plant," said Antti Kokkonen, product manager, Automation business line, Valmet.

The robust construction of Valmet CBA, equipped with an integral screw feed sampling unit, is designed for trouble free and straightforward installation. A combination of microwave resonance, Q-value and sample temperature is used to accurately measure moisture content from 0 to 70%, and optional heated screw tubes are available where the possibility of ice or frozen material exists. With Industrial Internet functionality, measurement data, alarms, and diagnostics are all remotely accessible. Not requiring any special certification or safety procedures, Valmet CBA is applicable to all wood species and forest biomass moisture measurements.