Case Study: Pixelle Specialty Solutions improves smelt spout safety and productivity with Valmet Smelt Spout Robot

Pixelle Specialty Solutions doubles smelt spout cleaning cycle with Valmet

Pixelle Specialty Solutions, a specialty paper mill, faced significant challenges in safely and efficiently cleaning the smelt spouts on its recovery boiler in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. The manual process was dangerous, required extensive personal protective equipment, and took operators away from other critical tasks. Overhead obstructions and insufficient support beams also complicated any potential automation. Valmet was engaged to address these issues.

Valmet implemented a customized solution, installing its Smelt Spout Cleaning Robot on a free-standing support system to avoid major boiler modifications. This was the first installation of its kind in North America. The results included a major decrease in safety risks and a significant increase in operator productivity, allowing staff to focus on other important operations. Valmet's solution also led to measurable process improvements, including an 18.6% improvement in smelt standard deviation.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions