Applicator Diffuser Spacing for Paper Web Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of steam blower boxes for applying process air to fibrous webs leads to contamination and complex maintenance due to fiber and filler particles in the air, increasing energy costs and ecological concerns in paper production.
Innovation Solution
An applicator with a diffuser spaced more than 0.5 cm from the outlet opening, allowing for easier maintenance and reduced contamination, combined with a deflector to prevent particles from reaching the diffuser, and a movable outer wall for enhanced cleaning access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a steam blower box is used to apply process air to the fibrous web, then the web temperature can be increased to improve dewatering, but the equipment becomes quickly contaminated by fiber and filler particles requiring complex maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into functional segments: the housing that remains stationary and the diffuser that can be easily removed. This segmentation allows the diffuser to be quickly extracted for cleaning without disassembling the entire applicator, directly addressing the maintenance complexity issue while maintaining the temperature increase function.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is designed as a removable component that can be extracted from the applicator housing. This extraction capability allows contaminated diffusers to be removed and cleaned separately, eliminating the need for complex maintenance of the entire applicator system while preserving the web heating function.
2Manufacturing precision
If the diffuser is placed close to the outlet opening for efficient air application, then the pressure conditions are optimized, but deposits on the diffuser negatively affect web run
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is positioned at an optimized distance from the outlet opening to establish proper pressure conditions before air contact with the web. This preliminary positioning ensures that air flow and pressure are correctly conditioned, while the removable design allows periodic cleaning to maintain web run stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is designed with dynamic removability, allowing it to be positioned optimally for pressure control during operation and easily removed for cleaning when deposits accumulate. This dynamic capability resolves the conflict between maintaining precise pressure conditions and preventing web run disruptions.
3Loss of time
If the applicator is designed with easy maintenance access, then downtime can be reduced, but the structural complexity of the applicator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is segmented into a stationary housing and a removable diffuser component. This simple segmentation enables the diffuser to be quickly extracted for maintenance without complex disassembly procedures, reducing downtime while avoiding excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary component between the air inlet and the web. By making this intermediate component removable, easy maintenance access is achieved without requiring complex structural changes to the entire applicator housing or mounting system.
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 enables reliable application of contaminated process air without disrupting the fibrous web's run, simplifies maintenance, and reduces downtime by allowing for easy diffuser replacement and cleaning, thereby minimizing energy consumption and maintenance efforts.
Implementation Method 1
A diffuser built into the flow path in this way serves on the one hand to equalize the flow and to ensure the desired pressure conditions of the process air when it comes into contact with the fibrous web
Implementation Method 2
The aim of such a treatment can be to increase the web temperature and thereby increase the viscosity of the water present in the web
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2a~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an applicator, a machine, and a method for applying process air to a running fiber web, in particular a paper or tissue web, comprising an outer wall with at least one air inlet and at least one outlet opening. The applicator additionally comprises a diffuser which is arranged in the flow path between the at least one air inlet and the at least one outlet opening and which is arranged at a distance of more than 0.5 cm, in particular more than 2 cm, from the outlet opening.