Considerations for a Cost Effective Dryer Section Rebuild, 2007 TAPPI Papermakers and PIMA International Leadership Conference

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This paper sheds some light on the considerations and justifications for a cost effective dryer section rebuild, along with "real life" examples of successful upgrade projects. To ensure that the project results meet expectations, it is critical to clearly identify

1. The reasons for the rebuild (increased drying capacity, energy savings, improved runnability, etc.)
2. The starting point or the "baseline" (current dryer performance, bottlenecks, condition of equipment, etc.)
3. The expected outcome (identifiable and measurable goals)
4. An analysis of the return on investment

Guidelines are shown on how to determine the most effective rebuild scope for a given machine. While the main focus is on the steam and condensate system (examples are presented on the effect of components such as siphons, joints, dryer bars, thermocompressors, separators, etc.), other areas of the dryer section are also reviewed briefly (such as runnability components, pocket ventilation, hoods, heat recovery, etc.).

Special attention is given to modern control systems, and their role in monitoring and managing the drying process.