Energy saving in paper drying through steam compression

The manufacture of paper and board is one of the most energy intensive processes in the UK and the most energy consuming part of the process is drying of the paper after forming and after treatment of the paper surface. In the paper dryer a series of steam heated cylinders heat the paper to evaporate the moisture. An analysis has been made of two paper machines to see what contribution steam compression could make to further reduce their energy consumption. The heat and mass balance of one of these machines is described and the possibilities for steam compression discussed. A process integration study is then used to see the effect of these on the machine heat balance