Innovative Gas-Fired Technology for Paper Drying, 2004 Paper Summit, Spring Technical & International Environmental Conference, (including Papermakers; Process Control, Electrical & Information; Product & Product Quality)

Paper drying is the most energy-intensive and temperature-critical aspect of papermaking. It is estimated that about 67% of the total energy required in papermaking is used to dry paper. The conventional drying method uses a series of metal steam-heated cylinders those are required to meet ASME codes for pressure vessels, which limits the steam pressure to about 160 psig. Consequently, the shell temperature and the drying capacity are also limited. Gas Technology Institute together with Boise Paper Solutions, Groupe Laparrier and Verreault (GL&V) USA Inc., Flynn Burner Corporation – and with funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. natural gas industry – is developing a high efficiency gas-fired paper dryer based on combination of ribbon flame and efficient heat transfer enhancement technique. The Gas-Fired Paper Dryer is a high-efficient alternative to traditional steamheated drying drums that operate typically at surface temperatures in the 300ºF range and it is expected to exceed the performance of existing paper drying systems.

The new approach was evaluated at the laboratory conditions following a pilot-scale testing at WMU Paper Plant. Drum surface temperature of about 500ºF was reached with linerboard (126 lb/3000) production, which resulted in 4-5 times drying rate increase. Successful development and commercialization of the Gas-Fired Paper Dryer will provide large energy savings to the industry as well as increase a production rate from dryer-limited and/or spacelimited paper machines by an estimated 10 to 20%, resulting in significant capital costs savings for both retrofits and new capacity.