Pinola Analyze

PINOLA Analyze – fast, practical process analytics for tall oil and soap

PINOLA Analyze is a compact laboratory system that gives quick and reliable data for the recovery process in kraft pulp mills. A heated lab centrifuge, together with specially designed glass tubes and dedicated software, mimics real process conditions and turns simple visual readings into mass-based results that are directly useful for process control. The methods are easy enough to be performed by mill process staff, without the need for specialised laboratory chemists.

Tall oil in soap – method PTM01

With method PTM01, PINOLA Analyze can determine the tall oil content in acidulated soap, either from laboratory acidulation or by sampling directly from the process. The heated centrifuge makes it possible to run the analysis at process-like temperatures (around 95 °C), so that the relationship between volume fractions in the tube and the mass fraction of tall oil in the soap is maintained. Unlike traditional extraction methods, PTM01 does not require hazardous solvents and is significantly less time-consuming.

In addition to tall oil content, the specially designed tubes also allow evaluation of sludge content in the acidulated soap, providing valuable input for fine-tuning a PINOLA TOPP tall oil plant.

Soap in black liquor – method PTM02

PINOLA Analyze offers a patented method (PTM02) for analysing sulphate soap content in black liquor, with results available within about 15 minutes. Knowing the soap content before the liquor reaches the evaporators and recovery boiler helps avoid operational disturbances, fouling and unnecessary maintenance. By providing near real-time data on soap levels, PINOLA Analyze allows production and recovery personnel to react quickly and optimise both soap skimming and boiler operation.

PINOLA Software

The evaluation of PTM01 and PTM02 results is handled by the PINOLA Software. The operator simply grades the layer interfaces in the centrifuge tubes and enters these readings into the software. The program then converts the readings into mass fractions, making it easy to compare results with other analytical methods and to use the data directly in process follow-up and optimisation.

Technical specification – PINOLA ANALYZE MK 5C

  • Type: Bench-top heated lab centrifuge, model PINOLA ANALYZE MK 5C

  • Power supply: 230 V 50/60 Hz AC or 115 V 50/60 Hz AC, approx. 700 W

  • Speed:

    • Maximum motor speed: 6 000 rpm

    • Maximum rotor speed: 4 000 rpm

    • Operating speed with glass tubes: up to 3 000 rpm

    • Relative centrifugal force: up to 1 500 × g

    • Speed setting: 500–4 000 rpm, in 100 rpm steps

  • Temperature control:

    • Heating element: 500 W

    • Setpoint: ambient to +100 °C

    • Accuracy: ±1 °C

    • Heater active only when centrifuge is running

  • Timer:

    • 1–99 minutes, in 1-minute steps

    • Continuous and pulse modes

  • Capacity and rotor:

    • 4-place swing-out rotor

    • Up to 4 × 80 ml tubes or 16 × 10 ml tubes

  • Dimensions and weight (centrifuge):

    • Approx. 370–380 mm (W) × 450–470 mm (D) × 260–270 mm (H)

    • Approx. 28–29 kg

    • Optional transport case with wheels for on-site analysis

  • Safety and compliance:

    • Overheating protection and imbalance cut-off

    • Lid locked during operation and start prevented with open lid

    • Brushless motor

    • Built to European safety standards, CE marked