Opportunities for the integration of absorption heat pumps in the pulp and paper process

Implementation of absorption heat pumps (AHPs) in a Kraft pulping process was studied using a new methodology for the optimal integration of those devices in a process. Two generic opportunities were identified for an energy and water optimized mill: (i) integration of a double lift chiller in the bleaching chemical making plant to produce chilled and hot water simultaneously, using MP steam as the driving energy and, (ii) installation of a single stage heat pump to concentrate the black liquor and produce useful hot water by upgrading heat from the bleaching effluent and using MP steam as driving energy. The principles of AHPs operation and their efficient integration into a process are described. The simple payback time (SPB) and net present value (NPV) were used to evaluate the interest of such implementations. Considering 63 $/MWh for the steam price, SPB of 2.7 and 1.7 years have been estimated for the two cases.