A Project to Correct Mill Power Factor: The Selection and Deployment of a Second Capacitor Bank

Selecting the proper size capacitor bank for power factor correction at a pulp mill, with an existing capacitor bank in service, requires many hours of computer modeling and system simulations. This article discusses the calculations involved in specifying the capacitor bank and evaluates the system response to transient switching events involving the two capacitor banks. Finally, it provides a comparison of the results of the calculations with field measurements recorded during the commissioning of the new capacitor bank.