INFLUENCE OF DRYER FABRIC CONTAMINATION ON DRYING PERFORMANCE: EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS AND PRACTICAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS

AUTHOR(S) / AUTOR(I): Nenad Milosavljevic, Claus Roberts, Mario Milosavljevic

 

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/CPAG26.127M

ABSTRACT / SAŽETAK:

Dryer fabrics in paper machines are essential for supporting the paper web and enabling efficient heat transfer during drying. Their performance strongly depends on air permeability, which decreases as contaminants accumulate during operation. This study compares new and used dryer fabrics of three types using controlled dynamic drying tests rig. Results show that contamination significantly reduces permeability, leading to lower specific evaporation and increasing drying time.

To connect the experimental findings with industrial practice, a case study using the ProJet fabric cleaning solution is presented. Continuous cleaning with the ProJet system helps maintain high fabric permeability, preventing contamination build-up while using minimal water, compressed air, and energy. Maintaining clean dryer fabrics improves available dryer capacity and overall machine performance across a wide range of paper grades.

KEYWORDS / KLJUČNE REČI:

Dryer fabric; Paper machine drying; Fabric permeability; Fabric contamination; Heat transfer; Drying efficiency; Energy consumption; Moisture profile; ProJet cleaning system; Paper machine performance; Industrial case study

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / PROJEKAT:

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