Field measurement technology in the pulp and paper industry

A poor economic outlook and greater competition are forcing the pulp and paper industry to introduce greater efficiency and more flexibility into production processes. This also includes greater plant flexibility in order to meet the changing demands of the customer. With relatively high operating costs, this is the only way that long-term plant capacity and operation can be maintained. Plant designers and operators are looking for ways to identify and tap this potential for efficiency and cost reduction. Traditional concepts of plant design, commissioning and operation are being very closely examined with instrumentation at the field level looked at critically. The authors discuss the move to digital instrumentation, smart transmitters, and fieldbus technology with particular emphasis on PROFIBUS.<>