INTERNAL

Consistency Tutorial
Valmet Blade Consistency Measurement (Valmet SP)
Measurement principle

Shear force measurement

 The most physical fiber consistency
measurement principle

Shear force F
 There is a direct relation between
consistency and the shear force acting on
the sensing element
 The curve in the graph is a typical shear
force curve Force
 The shape of the curve is similar for all
pulp types and sensing elements, only
offset and slope differ
 Every sensing element has an operating Velocity Consistency %Cs
Shear force as a function of consistency
window, defined by consistency and flow
velocity

2 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Sensing element selection

Sensing element guide (for detailed information, please consult Valmet)

Application ranges of sensing elements (% Consistency)
Pulp code Pulp type
UL LL LS GL RL WS HL JL
SWU Soft wood (long fiber) un-bleached 0.7-3 1.5-6 (1.7-7) (1.5-6) 4-16 1.5-6
SWB Soft wood (long fiber) bleached 0.7-3 1.5-6 (1.7-7) (1.5-6) 4-16 1.5-6
HWU Hard wood (short fiber) un-bleached 1-3 (1.8-5) 1.8-7.5 1.7-6.5 5-16 1.8-6
HWB Hard wood (short fiber) bleached 1-3 (1.8-5) 1.8-7.5 1.7-6.5 5-16 1.8-6
GW Ground wood 1-4 1.8-7.5 1.7-6.5 5-16
Refiner mech.- Thermo mech. pulp low
RMPL, TMPL 0.7-3 1.5-6.5 1.7-6.5 5-16
freeness, CSF <200 ml
Refiner mech.- Thermo mech. pulp high
RMPH, TMPH 0.7-3 1.5-5.5 3-6 (1.5-6) 4-16
freeness, CSF >200 ml
CTMP Chemical thermo mechanical pulp 0.7-3 1.5-5.5 3-6 (1.5-5.5) 4-16
ROCCU Recycled old corrugated container, un-screened 2-8
RCFU Recycled fiber, un-screened 2-8
ROCCS Recycled old corrugated container, screened 1-3 1.7-8 1.5-7 4-16
RCFS Recycled fiber, screened 1-5 1.8-8 1.5-8 5-16

3 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

 Operating window
Valmet SP has a large sensing
element portfolio that covers all
valid consistency measurement
 Operating window guide, use Measurement Advisor applications.
– Operating window is defined by consistency range, flow velocity, sensing element, and pulp type

% % %
8 8 8
4
7 7 7
3
66 66 66

5 5 Sensing element: RL 5
Sensing element: RL
Cs Cs Pulp types: HWU, HWB Cs
4 Sensing element: RL 4 4 Pulp types: ROCCS 1+2+3
RMP & TMP at CFS<200ml RCFS 1+3+4
Pulp types: SWU, SWB
3 3 3 1 CTMP 1+2

2 2 2 2
1 1 1

0 m/s 0 m/s 0 m/s

0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5
Flow velocity Flow velocity Flow velocity

For correct sensing element selection use Measurement Advisor, Valmet SP installation tool

4 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Installation – Process conditions

Mandatory
 Plug flow is a MUST for blade shear force measurement
 Plug flow conditions are created after a certain straight pipe
section, calming length, depending on:
– Pipe diameter
– Consistency level
– Flow velocity
– Vertical or horizontal pipe position
– Multiple bends Warning, not allowed
– At horizontal pipe, sensor position top or side
 At turbulent flow, blade shear force measurement is not possible
– Flow TR could be a solutions to reduce calming length

For safe calculation of plug flow condition use Valmet Measurement Advisor, Valmet SP
installation tool

5 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Installation positions

 Vertical after pump, A

– Preferred position close to pump
D
– Distance measured after pipe cone B2
– 90° in relation to pump shaft, on pump ”throw” side
 Horizontal side, B1 C
– 1.5 times longer distance than horizontal top L2 B1
position
 Horizontal top, B2 A
– If distance too short for B1
L1
– Make sure there is no risk of air pockets
 Horizontal after double bends, C
– May be considered if no other option available.
Double bends can cause whirling flow.
Could be solved with Flow TR.
 Vertical after pipe bend, D
– Installed after pipe bend at the outer curve
 L1 → Straight pipe before sensor
For correct L1 and L2 calculation use Valmet Measurement Advisor, Valmet SP
 L2 → Straight pipe after sensor installation tool

6 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Installation – Flow TR
Installation, Flow TR

 Flow TR pipes
– Pipe Ø 100 – 700 mm
– Can be supplied with Valmet Consistency Sampler (Valmet Nove)
process coupling
 Flow TR plates
– For process pipe Ø 100 – 700 mm
– Installation in existing process pipe
 Only for selected sensing element types
– RL, LL, GL, UL
 Rule of thumb: Distance before sensor could be
reduced with up to 50% with the help of Flow TR
– Always find as much distance before sensor as possible
– Consult Valmet for additional help

7 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Installation – Process pipe installation parts
Installation, Process pipe installation parts

 Process couplings and deflectors for optimal

sensor protection
– The most common incident that could lead to a sensor damage is
a hit-in line
– Caused by debris, de-watered pulp, etc.
– Valmet’s process couplings in combination with deflector plates
will reduce the damage risk considerably
– For standard coupling always use two deflector plates, one
upstream and one downstream in relation to sensor position
– WS and HL SB couplings have extra protection, only one extra
deflector plate needed

Standard Clamp for FRP pipe

deflectors sensor installation coupling Unscreened pulp Standard Blow line
coupling coupling coupling

8 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Installation – Process coupling

Welding guide, for standard coupling:

1. Place the guide on the pipe at selected position
 4 pins hold it in parallel position with the pipe
 Mark the position for process coupling and deflector plates
– Turn the guide 180° for the 2nd deflector plate
2. Cut holes for process coupling and deflector plates
3. Profile the process coupling (pre-profiled couplings available)
4. Insert the process coupling in the guide
 The guide holds the process coupling in correct distance (22mm)
and parallel to pipe wall
 Slots for band available to fix guide to pipe (see the green arrow)
5. Tack weld the parts to the pipe
6. Remove the welding guide
7. Finalize the welding
Note! Always install two deflectors for optimal protection of sensor:
one upstream of the sensor and one downstream of the sensor

Watch the video: Easy and fast installation of Valmet Blade Consistency Measurement

9 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Installation – Recommendation

 Important detail:
– Blade must be parallel to process pipe, max. +/- 1°
deviation allowed.
– Place a ruler in the aligning slot (see the photo below).
Compare ruler and pipe wall, adjust sensor so they are Max. +/- 1°
in parallel.

10 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Valmet SP consistency measurement L2
Installation example 2 1
1
 Correct installation:
1. Both sensors 90° angle in relation to the pump shaft
Both sensors installed on the correct side of the process pipe.
On the pipe side where the pump “throws” out the pulp.
L1
2. Both sensor installations with deflector plates before and after the sensors
3. Valmet Nove sampler on the right, partly visible on the photo, installed on the
correct side of the process pipe
4. Valmet Nove sampler on the left installed on the wrong side of the pipe.
Due to small pipe size, it probably works as expected anyway.
4 3

Always keep the correct L1 and L2 calculated with the help of Valmet Measurement Advisor,
Valmet SP installation tool

11 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial

Example of incorrect installation

 Wrong installation: DO NOT INSTALL LIKE THIS

• Any “disturbance” in the plug flow condition will destroy that
condition and create more or less turbulence.
• Turbulence can be created by a pipe bend, a pipe cone, injection
of water/chemicals, after a pump, etc.
• The turbulent section inside the process pipe moves with flow
velocity.
• It takes a certain straight pipe length to create a plug flow
condition again.
• The pipe length required depends on flow velocity, pipe size,
consistency level, fiber type, pipe position, etc.
• The installation on the photo was due to a rebuild.
So, normally a re-calculation of the condition should have been
performed at the time of the rebuild.

For safe calculation of plug flow condition use Valmet Measurement Advisor,
Valmet SP installation tool

12 © Valmet | Consistency tutorial