Case Study: Dryer Section Felting

This Northeastern US Coated Recycled Paperboard manufacturer chose to have R-V Industries add a top felt to the 1st section of their dryer section. The mill was looking to improve their sheet quality and reduce the amount of shrinkage that occurs in the cross machine direction. After the installation of the equipment the mill indicated that their sheet quality goals had been met, along with a more uniform cross machine moisture profile and a more than 5% savings in their steam energy costs.

Due to the success of the 1st section top felting project, the mill decided to instal an R-V Industries top felt system on their 2nd dryer section. Along with the savings in energy costs and the improvement to sheet quality, felting of the dryer sections will allow the mill to convert from a gear driven section to a direct silent, let driven section.

Equipment required for a dryer section top felting upgrade:

• Dryer felt rolls & housings
• Auxiliary carbon steel / epoxy painted framing
• Felt guide system
• Felt stretcher system
• Dryer felt

Best Practices for Preventing Cross Contamination:

• Mark carbon and stainless consumables to avoid using them on different metals
• Cover carbon table tops with stainless steel skins
• Use fork protection on fork lifts
• Plastic wrap roll surfaces when rolling stainless steel plates
• No grinding or welding carbon in stainless steel only facility