Effect of operating parameters on the drying performance of multicylinder paper machine dryer section

The drying performance of multicylinder dryer section in a paper machine was investigated under various operating parameters: Inlet paper solid content (48–50%), inlet paper temperature (45–50°C), supply air temperature (100–90°C), and exhaust air humidity (75–85?g H₂O/kg dry air). The variation in environmental conditions was also considered. In this study, an improved static model was utilized to study the influence of these operating parameters on paper drying. The model was constructed using sequential modeling approach based on the drying techniques of multicylinder dryer section of a paper machine. The calculated paper solid content leaving each paper drying module and energy use is in agreement with the measured results. The simulation results showed that higher paper solid content and temperature entering the dryer section, lower supply air temperature, and higher exhaust air humidity were favorable for drying performance within the studied range of these parameters.     

Energy system diagnosis of paper-drying process,Part 2: A model-based estimation of energy-saving potentials

The pulp and paper sector is the fourth largest industrial sector in terms of energy use in the world. Of the numerous processes involved in paper-making by a paper machine, the dryer section is the process that consumes the largest amount of energy. A model-based method for estimating energy-saving potentials of the dryer section was put forward in the present study. It was done by four steps: establishing a mathematical model about energy consumption, determining the model parameters, benchmarking the drying performance to obtain the corresponding energy-saving measures, and estimating the energy-saving potentials by using the mathematical model. In a case study, a multi-cylinder dryer section was selected to illustrate the method. After a fundamental field test and observation, several operating problems that restricted the energy performance of paper drying were found. And then several reasonable energy-saving measures were suggested to the operators. Finally, applying the mathematic model, it was found that 0.32 ton of steam will be saved when producing 1 ton of paper in recommended operating conditions. With the designed capacity of 200,000 tons/year, the annual steam-savings will be 64,000 tons. Generally, the price of steam is 130–150 Chinese Yuan (about US$21–24) in China, and the annual economic benefits will be 8.32–9.60 million Chinese Yuan (about US$1.344–1.536 million).     

HOW TO INCREASE THE DRYER EFFICIENCY - LOSS PREVENTION ON A PAPER MACHINE

In order to reduce superfluous energy consumption, the dryer section of an open paper machine was investigated experimentally. The recorded data covered the energy - and mass balances of both the individual drums and the whole dryer section, the state characteristics of the dryer air and some characteristics of the product. In the constant rate period of evaporation the specific heat consumption shows the minimum between 100 1050C dryer surface temperature while the specific evaporation performance is in direct proportion to it. The extent of the increase in energy consumption and of the decrease in evaporation performance below the critical value of moisture content is also demonstrated. Additional possibilities of energy saving exist mainly in aeration and in the more efficient operation of the presses. Some of the results are the characteristics of the investigated machine. It is believed, however, that the results referring to the effect of dryer surface temperature and moisture content are of a general validity and can be applied to other systems as well.     

HOW TO INCREASE THE DRYER EFFICIENCY - LOSS PREVENTION ON A PAPER MACHINE

In order to reduce superfluous energy consumption, the dryer section of an open paper machine was investigated experimentally. The recorded data covered the energy - and mass balances of both the individual drums and the whole dryer section, the state characteristics of the dryer air and some characteristics of the product. In the constant rate period of evaporation the specific heat consumption shows the minimum between 100 1050C dryer surface temperature while the specific evaporation performance is in direct proportion to it. The extent of the increase in energy consumption and of the decrease in evaporation performance below the critical value of moisture content is also demonstrated. Additional possibilities of energy saving exist mainly in aeration and in the more efficient operation of the presses. Some of the results are the characteristics of the investigated machine. It is believed, however, that the results referring to the effect of dryer surface temperature and moisture content are of a general validity and can be applied to other systems as well.     

Energy system diagnosis of paper-drying process,Part 1: Energy performance assessment

Paper drying is a highly energy-intensive and complicated multivariate process. The dryer section plays an important role in the energy consumption of a paper machine, especially of thermal energy. A comprehensive method for assessing the energy performance of the dryer section was investigated in this study to improve energy efficiency. This method was divided into three component processes: energy and evaporation load audit, field test and observation, and energy flow analysis and energy efficiency estimation. In a case study, we found that the method could, in addition to analyzing the key factors that restrict drying efficiency, also depict the details of energy consumption clearly. At the same time, several significant energy-saving measures were suggested to improve the energy efficiency of the paper-drying process.     

石化企业能源管理系统的研发与应用

石化工业在为经济发展提供物质支撑的同时, 也消耗着大量的能源。石化企业节能降耗的潜力很大, 信息技术在节能降耗方面前景广阔。在对石化企业能源管理业务范围、介质、管理维度进行分析的基础上, 进行了系统的功能设计, 描述了工厂模型, 按照用能优化、管网优化与动力优化3方面刻画了能源优化模型。最后, 从试点企业的应用成效出发, 为石化企业推进能源管理信息化建设提供了借鉴和参考。     

Steady-State Modeling of Multi-Cylinder Dryers in a Corrugating Paper Machine

In this study, a steady-state model was developed to describe the paper drying process and to analyze pocket dryer conditions for a multi-cylinder fluting paper machine in Iran's Mazandaran Wood and Paper Industries. The machine has 35 cylinders grouped in three drying groups and the cylinders are heated from the inside by steam. The model is based on the mass and energy balance relationships written for fiber, air, and water in the drying section. In this research, the heat of sorption and its variations with paper temperature and humidity changes have been taken into account. Temperature and moisture variation of the paper web and cylinder surface temperature in the machine direction were predicted by the proposed model. Also, temperature and humidity of air in the drying pockets and hood exhaust were estimated by the proposed model. Moreover, the model can predict the evaporation rate and specific drying rate with sufficient accuracy in comparison with the TAPPI standard. Finally, the main modeling parameters were compared with the available operating data and the effectiveness of the developed model was verified through validations.     

Energy Aspects in Drying

The energy performance of a dryer and a drying process is characterized by various indices such as volumetric evaporation rate, steam consumption, unit heat consumption and energy (thermal) efficiency. Of all indices, energy efficiency is the most frequently quoted, in technical specifications. A thorough analysis of available information, including the Handbook of Industrial Drying, points to the inconsistency of terminology, definition and data interpretation. Thus, reported data on energy efficiency vary significantly and frequently contradict both drying theory and industrial practice. To establish a common platform to deal with energy issues, this article provides a concise overview of the most common definitions of energy efficiency, along with a critical review of the published data. A need for energy audit and benchmarking is pointed out. To eliminate shortcomings of the energy efficiency as a lumped parameter, and to allow analysis of energy consumption over time (batch drying) or distance (continuous drying), instantaneous and cumulative indices are proposed. Using these indices, the energy performance of selected dryers is examined, and possible modifications to dryer design and operating parameters are indicated in order to reduce the overall energy consumption.     

多效蒸发海水淡化系统可行域时变分析与全周期操作优化

能耗过高制约了多效蒸发（MED）海水淡化技术的大规模应用,稳态操作优化虽然能够有效减少MED系统的短期蒸汽消耗速率,但污垢累积导致该系统在长周期运行时蒸汽消耗量升高和装置减产。为此,首先针对带蒸汽压缩机（TVC）的MED系统（MED-TVC）提出可行域的概念,分析表明操作点在可行域中的位置决定了系统的运行效益。随后通过可行域的时变分析发现操作点超出可行域是稳态优化中系统性能逐渐衰减的原因。最后利用可行域的性质,提出了时变约束的全周期操作优化方法。该方法通过调整MED-TVC系统在运行周期内的操作条件,获得全周期最低的蒸汽消耗量,同时利用时变的可行域约束保证优化结果在全周期内均满足淡水产量要求。结果表明,时变约束的全周期操作优化在维持MED-TVC系统的设计淡水产量的同时,全周期蒸汽消耗量相比于设计值减少了19.6%,能够很好地解决MED-TVC系统的操作优化问题。     

Bagasse saving and water recovery in cogeneration system using superheated steam dryer

The cogeneration system in sugar factory uses bagasse with high moisture content as the fuel for the boiler, which results in low boiler efficiency. The system also produces superheated steam, which is extracted from the turbine, and mixed with cooling water to produce saturated steam required by the evaporation system. The potential use superheated steam to reduce bagasse moisture content is ignored in the standard practice of the sugar factory. In this article, an investigation is made into the improvement of the cogeneration system by using superheated steam dryer to reduce the moisture content of bagasse. Mathematical models are developed for the typical system without superheated steam dryer and the improved system with superheated steam dryer. They are then used to compare the performances of both systems. It is found that, under the condition that the required steam flow rate for the evaporation process and the power output are the same, the improved system requires less bagasse consumption, and has larger energy utilization factor. In addition, water that would be lost with flue gases in the typical system is recovered in the improved system.     

Waste Heat Integration of Coating Paper Machine Drying Process

The paper sheet drying process consumes about 70% of the total energy required in coated papermaking, and almost all the thermal energy used in the process can be found in the exhaust air; thus, it has significant potential to recover the heat. With the aim of saving energy, the recovered energy is usually used to heat different process streams instead of steam.

This article examines the drying process of an operating coating paper machine to demonstrate an optimization method. To study the possibility of improving energy efficiency, thermodynamic analysis was conducted. The reasons why there is so much heat lost during drying were investigated. Based on the results of the energy and exergy analysis, a new waste heat integration scheme is presented. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed scheme has been evaluated. The results of the case study show an energy efficiency improvement of 7.3% and a specific energy consumption reduction of 4.6% with profitable investments.     

热管技术在陶瓷工业中的应用

陶瓷工业是我国六大耗能工业之一，在陶瓷生产过程中，要消耗大量的热能，由于技术和设备等方面的原因，热能浪费现象十分严重，应用热管技术，可有效地利用热特别是实现余热利用，产生无污染热风，用来干燥陶瓷原料和坯体，和为窑炉的助燃风，以降低燃料消耗。也可以利用热管余热锅炉，提供生产生活用汽，以提高陶瓷工业的热效率。     

Optimization study of soybean intermittent drying in fixed-bed drying technology

Intermittent drying of materials is an alternative operation that aims at reducing energy consumption, improve the preservation of dried products or decrease effective drying time. Intermittent drying supplies the system with time-varying input air properties that are opposite to traditional operations, where air properties are constant at the dryer inlet. The major objective of this study is to establish the most satisfactory patterns of air temperature and velocity modulation at the dryer entrance to reduce energy consumption. This optimization study was based on a heterogeneous model for the drying of grains in fixed bed validated with experimental data. Intermittent and conventional operation experiments were conducted using equal energy consumption, and the influence of air temperature and velocity modulation on the drying rates related to the percentage of evaporated water were assessed. Results indicated that higher drying rates can be achieved under intermittent operation, and the validated model based on these results could reasonably predict temperature and moisture content profiles. Simulations pointed out that the best modulation patterns of air properties is a function of a variety of system conditions such as initial temperature and moisture content of both soybean and drying air. However, a tendency to reduce energy consumption was observed when the system operation is initially at high temperature and constantly at low velocity.     

Superheated Steam Drying: An Overview of Pilot and Industrial Dryers with a Focus on Energy Efficiency

According to the principle of sustainability, modern industry should preserve nonrenewable energy sources and develop more efficient processes, especially in terms of energy consumption. The depletion of fossil energy reserves, the environmental impact of greenhouse gases, and the possible threats of environmental taxes are the main reasons to develop new processes in general, and new drying processes in particular, for the existing industries. Using superheated steam as a drying medium instead of hot air can improve the energy efficiency by reusing the energy from exhausted steam and prevent gas emission into the atmosphere by condensation. The present review is focused on both lab-scale pilots—including impingement jet, fluid bed, kiln, fixed bed, and flash drying—described in the literature and existing industrial facilities, with a specific analysis focused on energy efficiency. The usefulness of superheated steam drying pilots for experimental research and for the design of industrial dryers is analyzed. The impact on quality specifications of the dried product for different operating conditions is also presented. Documentation on industrial superheated steam dryers is very rare. Nevertheless, this work presents and analyses the key data available for superheated steam drying of beet, alfalfa, industrial pulp, and paint sludge. Energy recovery and process integration, with a focus on specific technological challenges for industrial dryer implementation, are also presented. This document will result in a discussion of some new ideas for possible R&D in superheated steam drying.     

聚丙烯装置节能降耗与改进措施

针对海蒙特本体聚合工艺特点，对70kt/a聚丙烯装置能耗，物耗现状进行了分析，在节能方面，通过停运部分机泵，调整料仓风机输送和掺混时间，充分利用装置蒸汽冷凝液作为热源代替部分蒸汽，并通过正交试验确定大小闪蒸线和干燥器的蒸汽最佳用量，使装置能耗由6．615GJ/t下降到6．339GJ/t，在降耗方面，通过回收尾气，增设氮气洗涤塔缓冲罐和备用丙烯过滤器等一系列技术改造，使丙烯单耗由1．036t/t下降到1．020t/t。     

Cost-Saving Opportunities in the Energy Management of Papermaking Processes

Energy consumption optimization belongs to the main agendas in sustainable industries. Here, cost-saving opportunities in the pulp and paper industry as one of the largest industrial energy consumers worldwide are in the focus. Energy-saving measures are proposed employing a large-scale mathematical model of a paper machine based on mass and energy balances supported by real-time experiments in paper machine operation. The presented measures are based on the optimization of paper stock pumping and a drying section operation. The total energy-saving effect of the four proposed measures accounted for a reduction in specific heat and electricity consumption by more than 2 %. The proposed procedures require no or low investment costs with the overall simple rate of return of less than one year.     

THE DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL DRYER FOR SULTANA RAISINS

A mathematical model of a tunnel dryer for sultana grapes is presented and applied for the determination of size and optimal operating conditions of the dryer. The optimum condition is given by the minimization of heat consumption, expressed as the ratio of thermal load to production, with some constraints regarding the production rate of the dryer and the maximum permissible air temperature. The optimization variables are temperature and humidity of the drying air, and product loading thickness on the trays. The optimum condition requires the operation of the dryer on the maximum permissible air humidity, which corresponds to a high degree of recirculation of exhaust air. This can be accomplished using automatic control of fresh air and humid air inlet and exhaust dampers along the length of the dryer, during the entire drying cycle.     

THE DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL DRYER FOR SULTANA RAISINS

A mathematical model of a tunnel dryer for sultana grapes is presented and applied for the determination of size and optimal operating conditions of the dryer. The optimum condition is given by the minimization of heat consumption, expressed as the ratio of thermal load to production, with some constraints regarding the production rate of the dryer and the maximum permissible air temperature. The optimization variables are temperature and humidity of the drying air, and product loading thickness on the trays. The optimum condition requires the operation of the dryer on the maximum permissible air humidity, which corresponds to a high degree of recirculation of exhaust air. This can be accomplished using automatic control of fresh air and humid air inlet and exhaust dampers along the length of the dryer, during the entire drying cycle.