Trocknung - Reduction of energy consumption in paper drying using simulations of heat- and mass transfer

Reducing energy consumption in the paper production process has great impact on the productions cost. The high complexity of the drying section and the heat recovery system of a paper machine gives a very large number of possible operator settings for paper drying. The aim of the research projects is development of a simulation tool that identifies optimized settings of the paper machine and thus enables reductions in energy consumption. The software simulates the physical processes of heat and mass transfer in the various aggragates of the paper machine (drying cylinders, IR dryer, impingement hood, heat exchangers, ventilations etc..). It delivers simulated values for the mass and heat fluxes in the papermachine as well as a heat balance. The results from the simulation software are verified in industrial trials and the production process will be optimized accordingly. Furthermore a graphical user interface similar to the process control system in the papermill will be addad to the simulation software. The final software can then be used for further optimization work in the paper mill or for operator training, used for operator training