Mathematical Models for Improved Wet Pressing Technology
D. Bezanovic
Project description:
In paper production, water is removed from the paper web in two
sections. The first one is a press-section, in which water is squeezed
out of the paper web and into the felt by applying a pressure pulse, as
the paper together with the felt passes through a press nip. Excessive
water is removed in the dryer-section, by an expensive and energy
consuming process. Therefore, even a small improvement in efficiency of
the press-section leads to a significant saving of the energy
consumption and, moreover, the total drying time. This motivates a
better understanding of the press-section. Consequently, during the
past forty years a lot of research, both experimental and theoretical
has performed in order to understand this process. This research led to
the development of extended nip presses, new felts with higher
permeabilities, multi-layered felts, application of heat flux.
Still, big challenges remain in order to thoroughly understand the
pressing process. Additional knowledge need to be acquired for the
influence of the air, mechanical behavior of the paper web, magnitude
and the direction of flow, etc.