Energy Efficient Upgrades in the Paper Industry

February 15, 2024By Lee Fairhurst

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With energy being such a hot topic, it is understandably a key factor in paper-making where energy use is more significant than other sectors. Additionally, the drive for decarbonisation puts added pressures in this area. Working closely with numerous leading manufacturers, we have been approached on many occasions to modify and upgrade process lines for improved energy efficiency whilst still delivering superior web handling and high-performance drying.

Most recently we were tasked to replace a gas IR (infrared) section of a dryer with a forced air system for a global siliconised paper manufacturer (baking paper).

The customer reasoning was driven by many benefits of forced air drying over a gas IR system.

Forced air heating is directed accurately while gas IR heats a wider area leading to lost heat into the surrounding atmosphere.
Due to the high temperatures associated with gas IR there is a risk of ignition to nearby flammable dust or vapours, a risk not present with forced air.
Forced air systems are over 60% more energy efficient than gas IR systems and only require a short shutdown period when converting.

Spooner’s expertise and proven track record has successfully lowered operational and installation costs, making forced air drying efficient and affordable, compared to alternative forms of industrial drying.

It’s our features that make our drying capability market leading and future ready now.

We continually listen to our customers and develop our features to ensure they provide the best results – this includes:

Dual fuel options from new or can be retro-fitted at a later date.
Air flotation nozzle systems that can deliver over 30% heat transfer increase compared to conventional air flotation systems.
Dryer orientation – orientated horizontally, vertically or on an incline without loss of performance.
Parallel retraction system provides easy access to the web pass.
Uniform air distribution enabling long, continuous flotation tunnels without inducing lateral web movement.
Equipment retrofit and upgrades to improve product quality, energy and production optimisation.
Heat recovery systems can be installed to new or existing equipment, saving on energy usage and reducing cost.

If you want to find out more about our Industrial Paper Ovens & Dryers, Industrial Air Turns, Industrial Web Coolers or Spooner Heat Recovery Systems, get in touch with Lee Fairhurst (lfairhurst@spooner.co.uk) or call +44 (0) 1943 609 505.

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