Slave Lake Pulp operates a 290,000 metric tonnes per year bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp (BCTMP) mill located in northern Alberta. The mill feeds primarily aspen through Sunds CD refiners and subsequent bleaching stages to produce market pulp for the global BCTMP market. The mill operates a single baling line, which contains a PAM-1500 bale press. The bale press, a critical piece of production equipment for mill operation, was reaching the end of its life and replacement with a new Valmet (PR-15) Bale Press was essential.
Allnorth was selected as the engineering consultant to support Slave Lake Pulp and provided project management, detailed engineering, and construction management services for the Bale Press Replacement Project. Detailed engineering included civil, structural, mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and hazard and operability studies (HAZOP).
The project involved upgrading an old bale press line with new technology and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), as well as bringing older process lines and mechanical piping up to code, which presented several technical challenges.
A critical step in ensuring a successful project outcome, was Allnorth’s comprehensive gap analysis which identified the primary technology gaps. Allnorth has the experience and understands the importance of evaluating civil, mechanical, PLC, and electrical requirements to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of the new equipment.
Allnorth’s use of 3D scanning technology ensured a smooth engineering path and successful installation. By leveraging this technology, our team was able to accurately measure, and take-off all required construction elements. This enabled them to identify appropriate construction methods and materials, ensuring that the project met all technical requirements and was completed with the highest level of accuracy.
As a result of careful planning, engineering, and project management of this complex project, the bale press line was upgraded with new technology and brought up to code, improving the efficiency and productivity of the overall system.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Project management
- Gap analysis
- 3D scanning
- Vendor selection
- Detailed engineering
- Testing of equipment, software and piping modifications
- Construction management
LOCATION
North of Edmonton, AB
From left to right: 3D scan, before, bale press removed, sub-frame, new frame (“after” featured in banner at top of page)
