Process design and analysis is always based on the management of mass and energy balances. BALAS simulation tool is the most effective way to obtain information on the behaviour of an existing process and get a deeper understanding of the interactions in your process. Built-in link to MS Excel enables easy transfer and customised visualisation of simulation data. Modelhierarchy, extensive unit operation, and chemical component libraries in connection with effective mathematical solvers make BALAS the solution for simulation of steadystate and tank dynamics, optimisation, and parameter estimation for pulp and paper processes. BALAS is developed and owned by VTT.
Customers
BALAS is used widely in the Finnish Pulp and Paper industry (Metsä, Stora-Enso, UPM, Kemira, Andritz). VTT has extensive experience of concept studies in papermaking processes especially in the area of water management and energy effi ciency. Over 40 papermaking processes have been modelled with BALAS. Half of them are energy effi ciency and process integration studies and half water management studies. Consulting companies performing their studies with BALAS are: Papes Oy (part of Pöyry Group), Elomatic, AIRIX, Balance Engineering.
Key benefits
BALAS has an extensive selection of unit operation modules. These unit operation modules enable the user to model the whole paper mill including mechanical pulping, heat recovery, utilities and wastewater treatment. Selections of ready-made model processes, which are listed below, are supplied with the software:
- TMP
- PGWS (News)
- PGW-70 (SC, LWC)
- DIP
- Paper machine (uncoated)
- Debarking plant
- Effluent treatment plant
- Water preparation plant
- CHP power plant
- Multi-effect evaporator
BALAS simulation models are created and maintained graphically through the user interface. The model is built up by dragging and dropping unit processes from model library palettes, drawing streams connecting units, and entering input data using dialog windows. BALAS simulator contains five calculation modes: Process behaviour with pre-defi ned model parameters can be calculated using simulation mode. Design mode is used when one needs to defi ne unit model parameters based on known output values on e.g., mill measurements. BALAS has a solver for non-linear optimisation problems. Optimisation can also be applied for parameter estimation problems where process model is fitted to measured process data. The fifth calculation model is dynamic simulation, which enable e.g. modelling dynamic behaviour of tanks and time delays caused by piping. BALAS is connected to Microsoft Excel. The Excel-link allows stream and unit information to be sheared with an Excel spreadsheet. The Excel-link can be used for preand post-processing of results, sensitivity analysis, and even as a platform for creating user interfaces for models.