en.Wedoany.com Reported - Scientists at Perm National Research Polytechnic University have developed the first automated water diagnostic system for the paper industry. Unlike existing solutions, this system operates in real time, preventing paper quality degradation, helping enterprises reduce losses, and thereby curbing consumer price increases.
The paper industry is a major water consumer, and enterprises often reuse water in closed cycles to conserve resources. However, even after purification, wastewater retains tiny organic impurities such as wood fibers and reagents after multiple uses, gradually creating conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. The number of microorganisms directly affects the water's chemical composition, leading to water acidification and reduced paper strength. Currently, enterprises assess water quality through periodic laboratory analyses, but the results are delayed and cannot track changes in real time, preventing timely adjustments to purification modes. Losses from waste and resource waste can amount to millions of rubles. These losses are factored into prices and ultimately borne by consumers. Russia produces over 10 million tons of paper products annually, and even a small amount of waste has a significant impact.
The main factors affecting microbial reproduction in water include temperature, medium acidity, and organic pollutant content, but existing methods measure these separately. The researchers developed a mathematical model that consolidates various indicators (temperature, acidity, pollution level) into a single value, indicating the degree to which water quality deviates from normal. To validate the model, experimental data from real enterprises were used, comparing calculations with actual changes, and the results matched production records. Additionally, the scientists designed a control system for paper production, installing sensors in workshops to continuously measure temperature, acidity, and electrical conductivity. All data is transmitted to a small industrial computer, which uses the model to calculate the overall water status indicator in real time and issues a signal when signs of deterioration appear.
Olga Bilous, a senior lecturer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation at Perm National Research Polytechnic University, stated that the system operates several times faster than laboratory analysis, detecting problems at the stage when conditions for bacterial reproduction form, rather than after paper loses strength. The system is fully automated and monitors parameters without human intervention. By identifying issues in a timely manner, this solution helps reduce the volume of degraded water, decrease the amount of waste paper and cardboard, and lower chemical reagent consumption. Depending on the enterprise scale, the system can save hundreds of thousands to millions of rubles annually, directly reducing product costs.
