Process Optimization Controls Co-op at Kapstone Paper
I am currently working as a Process Optimization Controls Co-op at Kapstone Paper in Charleston. This essentially means I make the processes in the plant the most efficient/cheap they can be by using controls. The biggest project I am working on is with density control on our green liquor (a chemical in the paper making process). I put code into our control systems to automate valves to either dilute the chemicals or cut back. This is my 3rd rotation at the mill, so this is the highest end of projects you would do as a coop here. My other rotations consisted of daily process engineering like scheduling maintenance on broken instruments, planning outages of the machinery, and working with outside contractors to put in new instruments to better the process.
I am starting a 4th rotation at the kapstone mill in Washington state next week and will be continuing my controls optimization out there! I have loved every rotation that I've spent at kapstone and would recommend it to everyone. It is great engineering experience and you possibly get to travel as well!