There is a need to optimize all aspects of a mill operation, including all cost-contributing factors, to be competitive in the market place. Energy is usually the second or third largest contribution to operating costs.

The variable cost of energy includes both fuel and purchased power costs. In a mill that has several levels of steam pressure, a number of turbines and the opportunity to purchase or sell power, there is scope to optimize the system so that at all times the operating actions coincide with minimum energy costs.

SPARTA™ provides answers to questions such as:

•   Which is the best boiler – fuel combination?
•   Should the mill buy or generate power in view of natural gas obligations and real-time power pricing?
•   Which is the best steam path?

SPARTA™ has multiple uses:

•  Minimizing overall cost of purchased fuel and purchased power
•  Minimizing steam venting
•  Improving power house stability
•  Scheduling TMP refiner operation against real-time purchased power
•  Evaluating future utility contracts and equipment installation

SPARTA™ is an on-line or off-line real time optimizer with automatic input, and tabular and graphical outputs. It is best used to provide closed loop control set points to the mill DCS or PLC controllers via OPC interface.