Sulzer-escher Wyss Limited

Reinhard Bluhm

Herbert Holik

Peter Mirsberger

Thomas Gotz

Process and device for drying paper webs, with the process being utilized for drying voluminous paper webs, destined in particular for use as toilet paper, with at least one heated press being used for drying the wet paper web, with the undesirable delamination of the paper web, when it leaves the compression gap, caused by the sudden expansion of the flash steam, being purposefully used in order to improve the volume and softness of the thus produced paper. Several devices are also set forth for implementing the process, these devices having both short and elongate compression gaps.

Process for drying paper webs

At least two substantially parallel rows of adjustable pressure elements cooperate with a heatable counter element like a counter roll and are arranged immediately consecutive but separate from each other to define at least two pressing sections of an extended pressing zone through which a water-containing fibrous web is passed conjointly with a water absorbing porous band or felt in a predeterminate travel direction. Pressures and temperatures in each one of the at least two pressing sections of the extended pressing zone are adjusted such that water is displaced from the fibrous web under the combined action of pressure and steam which is formed in the extended pressing zone in a controlled manner and without damage to the fibrous web due to explosion-like flash evaporation.

Growing community of inventors

Berg, Germany

Reinhard Bluhm