Adjustable Guide Plate and Turbine for Papermaking Energy Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy recovery systems in papermaking processes are not adaptable to various papermaking apparatus geometries, stock compositions, and flow conditions, leading to suboptimal energy recovery efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An energy recovery apparatus with an adjustable guide plate and turbine position, coupled with a modular system, allows for precise alignment and adjustment to maximize energy recovery by optimizing momentum transfer from the ejected water stream to the turbine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed energy recovery apparatus is installed, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different papermaking apparatus geometries, stock compositions, and flow conditions, leading to suboptimal energy recovery efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different papermaking conditionsVSAvoidapparatus structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate is made adjustable relative to the turbine, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different papermaking conditions. The guide plate can be repositioned to optimize alignment with the stock flow direction for various headbox positions, geometries, and fabric velocities, while the turbine itself remains a fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy recovery apparatus is divided into separable modules: a turbine module and a guide plate module. This segmentation allows independent adjustment and optimization of each component. The guide plate module can be adjusted without affecting the turbine module, enabling adaptability to different conditions while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the guide plate is fixed in position, then the apparatus is simpler to manufacture and install, but alignment with the papermaking equipment cannot be optimized, reducing energy recovery efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing it to be precisely aligned with the stock flow direction for different headbox geometries and positions. The adjustability enables high alignment precision without requiring custom manufacturing for each specific papermaking configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide plate's position and orientation parameters can be changed to match different papermaking apparatus geometries. This allows the same guide plate design to be used across various configurations by adjusting its angular and positional parameters rather than manufacturing different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the turbine position is fixed, then the apparatus structure is simpler, but it cannot be adjusted for different fabric velocities and headbox geometries, leading to suboptimal momentum transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different fabric velocitiesVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine position is made adjustable to accommodate different fabric velocities and headbox geometries. The turbine can be repositioned to optimize its alignment with the stock flow direction for various operating conditions, maximizing momentum transfer efficiency across different papermaking configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The turbine is separated into its own module that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This modular approach allows the turbine to be optimized for different conditions without complicating the overall apparatus structure, as the adjustment mechanisms are contained within the turbine module itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of repair

If the energy recovery apparatus is integrated as a single unit, then the structure is more compact, but maintenance and adjustments require shutdown of the papermaking machine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidpapermaking machine uptime
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy recovery apparatus is divided into separable modules that can be independently removed and maintained. The guide plate module and turbine module can be detached without shutting down the papermaking machine, allowing maintenance personnel to service these components while the papermaking operation continues uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design acts as an intermediary between the papermaking process and maintenance requirements. By separating the energy recovery components from the main papermaking line, the system enables maintenance activities on the guide plate and turbine without interfering with the continuous papermaking operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances energy recovery efficiency by allowing for precise alignment and adjustment of the guide plate and turbine, reducing net energy consumption in the papermaking process and facilitating maintenance while maintaining optimal performance across different papermaking conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Alignment may increase the efficiency of momentum transfer from the ejected water stream to the turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMomentum transfer: Conservation of Momentum

Implementation Method 2

a curved guide plate shaped to direct water ejected through the forming wire into the turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentEP3164540B1Adjustable device for recovering energy from stock momentum
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 VALMET AB
  • EP3164540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164540B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3164540B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods provide for the recovery of energy during the fabrication of paper, tissue, board, and the like. Water ejected from a forming wire (132) driven by a forming roll (110) may be directed by a guide plate (150) into a turbine (140). The guide plate may be adjustable, providing for alignment of a terminal edge of the guide plate with an entry point of the turbine. An angle of the guide plate may be adjustable, enabling a smooth transition of flow from the forming roll to the turbine. A position of the turbine may be adjustable. A guide plate and/or a turbine may be mounted modularly (e.g., with a guide plate as part of a guide plate module and/or a turbine as part of a turbine module).