Techniques in Press Fabric Cleaning, Conditioning and Monitoring, 2001 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

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The key function of a press fabric is water transport. This requires that the press fabric must be maintained clean, with maximum open void-volume, in order to assist in maximum dewatering of the web. Dewatering also depends upon performance of other press elements such as suction rolls, grooved rolls, doctor blades, Uhle boxes, vacuum supply, nip pressures & widths. These press elements must also be kept clean, in order to properly effect dewatering and avoid damaging press fabrics.

Maintaining optimum performance of the press section involves a combination of chemical and mechanical items all working in harmony. The cleaning method, along with shower placements versus the overall press configuration, is just as important as the cleaning chemistry selected.

The ultimate goal of press fabric treatment is to maintain fabric cleanliness. Doing so prolongs fabric life, while maximizing fabric dewatering ability over the entire life of the fabric. Press dewatering affects machine runnability and sheet quality directly. The focus of this paper will be press fabric cleaning/treatment and cleaning methodologies. The paper will also discuss various analytical methods of monitoring, assessing and troubleshooting press fabric dewatering performance over a spectrum of grades and press configurations. This will provide papermakers with runnability tools for optimizing press section performance.