Paper industry productivity — The real-time control of fibre weight

In the paper industry productivity, as measured in terms of the utilization of raw materials, energy and machine capacity, is critically dependent upon fibre weight control.

Recent developments in both micro and mini-computer technologies make the implementation of computationally complex algorithms for the real-time control of the paper-making process a feasible proposition. Two control algorithms, one of which allows for real-time optimal control, are described, and the results obtained from a simulation study of both are reported.