OPTIFLUX reduces costs in paper industry

KROHNE?s OPTIFLUX electromagnetic flowmeter is fast becoming the industry standard among paper manufacturers.  Its ability to measure accurately the flow of virtually any substance has made it possible for these companies to standardise on flow measurement technology and reduce costs.

The OPTIFLUX is capable of operating accurately and reliably across a broad range of measurement applications, including those where substances have low conductivity or variable solid concentration.  These are all typically found in paper production.

The Adolf Jass Schwarza GmbH paper mill based in Germany, which manufactures unfinished corrugated cardboard, has recently installed over 150 OPTIFLUXs.  The instruments are used for applications which include water metering, dosing additives and measuring the flow of waste paper pulp where they provide measurement accuracy of 0.15 per cent and a repeatability of 0.06 per cent.

By standardising on using a single KROHNE converter for all flow measurement applications in its plant, Jass has reduced the time and costs of training engineering staff to maintain different instruments; it has also eliminated the need to hold stock inventory to support different types of flowmeters.

In one application in the plant the OPTIFLUX is used to dose bentonite and an anti-foaming agent in a process to de-starch raw material.  The smooth internal surface of the instruments? measuring tube allows starch and paste to flow and be measured without caking.

?We are highly satisfied with the reliability of the OPTIFLUX,? said Christoph König, project leader for electro-automation-technology.  ?The test meters installed at our Fulda plant and those in the new paper machine have convinced us fully of this.?

The OPTIFLUX?s self-diagnostic capability also reduces the need for regular maintenance work and downtime by alerting Jass? engineers to possible problems before they occur ? in particular warning them of empty or part-filled pipes.

KROHNE OPTIFLUX is a pioneering ?all-in-one? electromagnetic flowmeter.  The instrument uniquely incorporates three levels of diagnostics and sets new industry standards of metrological performance and accuracy.

Drift or deterioration in flow measurement is not uncommon in industry, often caused by changes to the consistency or throughput of measured materials or contamination or corrosion of components.  This can go undetected, resulting in sub-standard products and excessive material costs.

Traditionally, diagnostic analyses within electromagnetic flowmeters have been limited to checking the device?s microcontroller or memory.  KROHNE?s OPTIFLUX incorporates revolutionary 3x100% diagnostics.  These provide engineers with comprehensive data that makes it possible to anticipate and rectify potential problems before they affect production.  This unique feature gives companies greater control of product quality and material costs. 
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