Modernizing recovery boilers for a sustainable future
Engineering excellence for pulp and paper mills worldwide. AFRY offers comprehensive services covering the full lifecycle: from feasibility studies to full EPCM delivery.
Maximizing efficiency and reliability with recovery boilers
Recovery boilers are a critical component of the kraft pulping process, functioning to convert black liquor into recovered chemicals and steam. Steam is used in steam turbines for power generation. This integrated operation ensures recovery of cooking chemicals and energy generation, enabling the mill to achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency in steam and power.
The operational performance of a recovery boiler directly influences steam and power balance, chemical efficiency, environmental compliance, and overall mill reliability.
Older units often encounter issues such as reduced thermal efficiency, higher corrosion risk, pressure component failures, and emissions that fail to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory limits. These challenges frequently result in higher production costs and unplanned outages.
Modernization or replacement is essential to meet stringent safety standards, improve heat transfer, optimize combustion, and comply with evolving environmental regulations.
AFRY’s expertise
With many decades of boiler engineering heritage, AFRY is a trusted partner for pulp and paper producers globally. Our services span the entire lifecycle:
- Asset integrity assessments – Evaluate condition and risks of aging boilers.
- Feasibility & conceptual studies – Identify modernization opportunities and ROI.
- Pre-engineering & detailed engineering – Process, mechanical, piping, civil, electrical, and ICT design.
- EPCM & owner’s engineering – Full project delivery, procurement, site supervision, and start-up services.
- Operational excellence & digital solutions – Predictive maintenance, advanced automation, and energy optimization.
What we deliver?
- Recovery boiler upgrades & replacements – Improve efficiency, reliability, and safety.
- Energy performance optimization – Reduce fossil fuel use and emissions; enable green power generation.
- Compliance & sustainability – Meet evolving environmental standards and decarbonization goals.
- Integrated mill modernization – Fiberline improvements, evaporation plants, and turbine upgrades.
