Energy Efficiency Contributed By Novel Paper Machine Clothing, PaperCon 2013

Please Note: This document will be available in PDF format in the "My Electronic Documents" link on the home page once your order has been completed. Please make sure you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader. Click on the Acrobat Reader icon to check for the latest version, it’s FREE. To print a hardcopy of a PDF file correctly you must have a postscript printer. If you are not sure if your printer is a postscript printer please refer to your owner’s manual.

Purchase of electronic (downloadable) documents made at www.tappi.org by credit cards, followed by instant download CANNOT be cancelled. We do not offer refunds on electronic download documents.

A paper machine is a very large consumer of energy in comparison to other industries and energy is a major cost in the operation of a paper machine. Thermal energy used to dry the sheet is the largest component of energy usage but electrical drives and vacuum pumps in the forming section are also significant contributors. Forming fabric suppliers are focused on providing the highest quality structures for optimal sheet properties and overall machine efficiency, but are also developing new designs that can lower the energy consumption on the paper machine. Two such concepts are discussed. Sheet rewetting following high vacuum dewatering negatively affects the sheet solids into the press. Maximizing fabric surface support and minimizing fabric caliper and internal void volume with a surface enhancement can achieve a 1 – 2% increase in solids. New fabric wear side polymer materials have been developed to lower the friction forces between the fabric and high vacuum box ceramic elements for lower drag loads and reduced fabric wear. Forming section drive load reductions of 10% and significant fabric life improvements have been seen.