Dunafin’s journey towards enhanced refining and fiber analysis with Valmet Conical Refiner Pro and MAP Q Analyzer

From left; Gábor Böde, Technical specialist, Balázs László Hanák, Head of Manufacturing and Dragan Kranjc, Operations Director from Dunafin.

Identifying the need for a reliable solution

The main driver behind Dunafin’s decision to upgrade its system was the need for a durable refining solution. "We were looking for reliable and compact solutions for our demands," Dragan Kranjc, Operations Director from Dunafin explains. Specifically, the company wanted to achieve optimal beating, all without excessive energy consumption.

In addition to improving refining efficiency, the company recognized the need for a sophisticated tool to measure beating degree and provide in-depth fiber analysis. "We knew from our sister mills that the Valmet MAP Q Analyzer was highly recommended, especially due to its fiber imaging technique detailed fiber property assessments."

Enhancing energy efficiency and product quality

The Valmet Conical Refiner Pro was chosen to meet the critical needs of Dunafin’s upgrade project. As the mill sought to reduce maintenance costs and optimize the refining process, the new refiner delivered on multiple fronts. "With the Valmet Conical Refiner Pro, we were not only able to reduce specific energy consumption (SEC) by 10% while maintaining the same fiber properties, but we also saw immediate improvements in key figures for some paper grades," Kranjc adds.

Beyond energy savings, the flexibility of the refiner with different segments allowed Dunafin to adjust refining parameters as needed, making it a versatile solution for Dunafin’s production portfolio.

With the Valmet Conical Refiner Pro, we were able to reduce specific energy consumption (SEC) by 10%.

Unlocking deeper insights into fiber properties

In parallel with the refinery upgrade, Dunafin decided to replace the Kajaani KSF Schopper-Riegler analyzer, which had served them well for more than 20 years, with a Valmet MAP Q analyzer. 

The changing of the guard with the new analyzer has had a significant impact on the fiber measurement capabilities of the mill. Previously, fiber properties had to be checked manually in the laboratory, which caused delays and required manual sampling. The new MAP Q analyzer automates this process and allows fiber measurements directly from the production lines.

"We wanted real-time data on fiber properties and freeness, and MAP Q Analyzer allowed us to extend our analysis beyond just beating degree measurements. We now have more than 50 individual results from a single measurement per sample line, which can be sent directly to our DCS system," Kranjc elaborates. The addition of the analyzer’s a new fiber imaging technique has proven invaluable for optimizing refining and the paper production process. "The camera images of the fibers are a game-changer, allowing us to see things we never knew we should measure."

MAP Q Analyzer allowed us to extend our analysis beyond just beating degree measurements.

Driving innovation through process optimization

Since implementing the new technology to replace third party´s previous system, Dunafin has seen improvements in product quality, energy efficiency, and operational control. With both the Valmet Conical Refiner Pro and MAP Q Analyzer integrated into their process, Dunafin is better equipped to optimize the production process. “This upgrade not only solved the immediate challenges but has also opened up new opportunities for optimization and further development.”

By working closely with Valmet, Dunafin has successfully modernized its refining and fiber analysis capabilities, achieving both the operational efficiency and the product quality that are essential for staying competitive in today’s paper industry. 

Text: Miia Kaisanlahti