Rewet suppression through press felt engineering

Due to the immense energy and associated financial cost of drying paper, achieving a drier web entering dryers is key objective in paper manufacture. One major research thrust has been finding way increase press solids by mitigating or eliminating rewet section. For decades, solutions this problem have remained elusive. In work, we develop novel approach that significantly reduces rupturing liquid channels between felt web. We illustrate effects altering mechanical surface properties matrix on stability these channels. laboratory-scale platen press, 40% reduction residual water 120 g/m2 southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK) pulp handsheets after pressing was observed, corresponding an from 48% 61%. reference, under identical conditions with blotters, which minimal presumed occur, resulted 64% solids. Furthermore, observed enhanced dewatering across range basis weights, applied pressures, types. addition measuring content pressed sheets, capture analyze video evidence mechanisms at play our improved technology.