Module 6 part 1
Pressing & vacuum systems
Lecture II
Theory and variables
1
Fundamentals: Phases of the nip process
• Three pressure curves
are developed
– Nip curve
– pressure applied by the press
nip
– Fibre structure pressure
curve
– result of the rigidity of the fibre
network.
– Water flow within fibres
contributes to structural
pressure
– Hydraulic curve
– results from water flow only in
interfibre voids
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9, pg 347 2
Pressing theory
• Fibre structural changes occur
– Flattening and improved bonding
– Viscous drag of water flow compresses fibre network
– A z-direction density gradient develops
– A degree of fibre & particle re-distribution may occur
during pressing
• Roll and felt surfaces may alter web surface
topography
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9
3
Rewetting
• Rewetting
– The negative hydraulic pressure in phase 4 leads to a
water flow back into the web
– Water redistribution from felts back to the web differs
for different press configurations and felt construction
• Three types of rewetting (Norman’s
classification)
– Internal: water flows directly from felt to paper within
the nip
– External: water flows directly from felt to paper
outside the nip
– Separation rewetting: water adheres to the paper
surface as web and felt separate
4
Pressing Theory– Nilsson and Larsson
Theory
• Pt = Ph + Ps = (Pc + Pf ) + Ps
Where:
Pt = Pt = total pressure in the nip
Ph = hydraulic pressure
Ps = structural pressure
Pc = mechanical compression pressure
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9
Pf = pressure to remove water from fibre wall
5
Pressing Theory - Darcy’s Law
• Darcy's Law is a general empirical relationship for Newtonian fluid
flow through a porous media. The volumetric flow rate is a function
of the flow area, fluid pressure and a proportionality constant.
• For flow through a fibrous mat:
V=
Where: V = flow velocity
∆𝑃 is the pressure difference across the mat
A = area
𝑊 = basis weight of the fibre mat
η = dynamic viscosity
𝑅𝑤 = specific filtration resistance
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9 pg 351 6
Wet pressing theory(according to WahlstrÖm)
• Nip type categories
– Pressure controlled nips
• The fiber structural component counteracting the compression force
dominates. Increasing compression pressure will increase water
removal
• Typical of light weight paper, low drainage resistance webs.
• Problems – vibration, poor consistency, sheet marking
– Flow controlled nips
• Characterized by high hydraulic pressure where flow resistance is
the limiting factor.
• Too high compression results in sheet crushing and hydraulic
flow marks, due to transverse water flows.
• Increased pressing time will increase water removal
• Typical of heavy weight papers, high moisture contents and high
drainage resistance webs
– In practice most nips are ‘in between’ these theoretical cases
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 9 7
Behaviour of different types of nips
.
• Fig 7 shows the behaviour of a flow controlled nip, where dewatering does
not respond to increased nip pressure, but is dependant on the nip impulse
• Fig 8 shows the behaviour of a pressure controlled nip, where dewatering
responds to increasing nip pressure.
8
Paulapuro 2007 chapt98 pgs 357
Wet pressing variables
Process Variables Equipment Parameters
• Press impulse • Types of nip
• Temperature • Roll parameters
• Ingoing moisture • Sheet release
content • Press section
• Sheet properties configuration
• Felt parameters
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9
9
Press impulse
• Combination of nip pressure
and nip residence time
• The press impulse is the
area underneath the nip
pressure-time curve.
• Vol. of water removed
depends on the press
impulse
• Impulse Influenced by:
• Line load (kN/m)
• Roll diameter and
softness
• Speed through the press
• See formula in diag. Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9 pg 357 10
Web temperature
• Web temperature influences:
– Water viscosity: flow behaviour
– Water surface tension: reduced capillary forces
– Fibre softness:
• Softer fibres are more compressible; lower structural pressure.
• Softer fibres have less springback; reduced rewetting.
• A 10⁰C temperature increase increases the solids after
pressing by 0.13% to 1.9%, depending on conditions.
• Higher web temperatures achieved by:
– Heated rolls
– Infra-red heating
– Steam boxes
11
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9
In-going moisture content
• Higher in-going moisture will result in:
– Higher outgoing moisture (10-50% “carry-through”)
– Higher hydraulic pressures – sheet crushing
• The location of the water is important:
– Interfibre water is easily removed
– Intrafibre water is difficult to remove:
• Water in the lumen, or
• Water in the fibre wall (“bound” or “free”)
• Depends on drying history
– “Hornified” fibres contain less water, easier to remove.
12
Sheet properties
Sheet property Determined by Pressing effects
Permeability Type of fibre, Hydraulic pressure,
fibrillation, fines, CSF, rewetting
refining
Compressibility Fibre stiffness & Structural pressure
elasticity, temperature
Springback Elastic properties, Rewetting
temperature, speed of
compression
Capillary structure Sheet components Rewetting
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 9
13
