Oji Papéis Invests in Energy/Water Saving Lube System for Suction Roll Sealing Strips
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 Oji Papéis Especiais, Brazil, has ordered from Voith (Germany) a new lubrication system for suction roll sealing strips – HydroSeal. The HydroSeal system prevents sheet rewetting and drastically reduces water consumption.
Operating in Piracicaba, in the state of São Paulo, Oji's specialty paper mill produces nearly 120,000 metric tpy of thermal paper, carbonless copy paper, and coated paper. The new HydroSeal is expected to become operational in mid-September. Once it is installed, the HydroSeal will allow a considerable decrease in water consumption, as well as a performance improvement in the transfer suction roll operating between the second and third press of the Oji PM 2.
HydroSeal replaces current conventional seals and lubricating showers installed in suction rolls in favor of a more efficient seal system that distributes the lubricant film more evenly over the entire width of the sealing strip, Voith explains. The system thus enables a significant decrease in the amount of water consumed while also minimizing sheet rewetting, which in turn improves the CD moisture profile. This system will allow paper manufacturers to disable conventional shower systems regardless of the suction roll type or manufacturer.
The sealing strip system with integrated water supply enables significant savings, and in some cases may also provide for drive power savings. Trials carried out in Germany demonstrate that by using HydroSeal, papermakers can achieve yearly savings of some EUR 100,000, since water and energy consumption can be reduced by up to 87% and 9% respectively.
As shown in the photo, with the HydroSeal, lubricating water is distributed continuously over the entire width of the sealing strip and thus allows its surface to continuously be covered with a homogeneous film of lubricating water. The efficient feed substantially reduces the amount of lubricating water required. Moreover, this new design prevents remoistening of the paper web and also improves the CD moisture profile.
Since its recent release, nine HydroSeal systems have been sold worldwide, including the one to Oji Papéis Especiais.
With a yearly production capacity of 120,000 metric tons of paper, Oji is a Brazilian and Latin-American leader in the specialty paper segment (thermal and carbonless copy paper), as well as a pioneer in online machine coated paper production. The Oji Paper Group was founded in Japan in 1873, and currently employs more than 26,000 people.
More information about sealing strips with integrated lubrication is available online.
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