Energy efficiency improvement of a Kraft process through practical stack gases heat recovery

A process scheme for the optimal recovery of heat from stack gases considering energy and technical constraints has been developed and applied to an existing Kraft pulping mill. A system based on a closed loop recirculation of hot oil is used to recover the heat from stack gases and distribute it to the appropriate cold streams. The recovery of heat from stack gases is part of an overall optimization of the Kraft mill. Tools such as Pinch Analysis and exergy analysis are used to evaluate the process streams. The results indicate that 10.8 MW of heat from stack gases can be reused to heat process streams such as the deaerator water, hot water, drying filtrates, and black liquor. A simulation model of the recirculation loop has been developed to determine the specifications of the recovery system. The total heat exchanger surface area required by the system is 3460 m2, with a hot oil recirculation temperature of 137 °C. The anticipated total investment is $10.3 M, with a payback time of 1.8 years.

► We developed a process design for recovering heat from stack gases in a Kraft mill. ► The recovered heat is optimally distributed to the process cold streams. ► Heat recovery system has a total surface area of 3500 m2 without gases condensation. ► A reduction of 7 percent in total process steam demand is anticipated. ► A total investment of 10.3 M$ is needed with a payback time of less than two years