ScanChip is an optical analyzing system for on-line chip quality measurement based on the actual chip dimensions. The results showing different chip size fractions and size distributions with respect to chip length, width and thickness, are presented numerically or graphically on the screen, to the printer, or directly to the pulp mill control system. The ScanChip System has now been operating since 1992 at a Swedish pulp mill, where it is installed just before the continuous kraft digester. In this application, the analyzer alerts the operator about chip quality disturbances and gives information for automated control of the chip piles. Other interesting positions for the system are fdr measuring the chip quality either after the chipper or for the purchased chips. An analyzing system of this type, providing instantaneous chip quality data to operators and to process control systems, can help define and control chip quality and pulping process parameters to give the best possible production results.
