PAERFORM

PAERFORM - Development of an aerosol former for producing conditioned nonwovens for water-efficient paper and board manufacturing.

Aim

The project focuses on the development of a continuously operating aerosol former for the production of conditioned nonwovens from paper fibers with minimal use of water. The aim is to create an alternative to the water-intensive wet process. In phase 1, a discontinuous functional model will be developed. Based on this functional model, it will be further developed into a laboratory sheet former with the aim of carrying out extensive basic paper technology studies on nonwoven quality and the paper properties that can be produced from it. Phase 2 will see the implementation of a continuously operating aerosol former for the further development of a dry paper machine.

In contrast to the wet process, the fibers in the aerosol former are not transported in water, but in an air-water mixture (aerosol). This produces fiber webs with a significantly higher dry content (>80%) than in the conventional sheet forming process. The design and fluid mechanics expertise of Maschinenfabrik Raschau and the Institute of Fluid Mechanics at TU Dresden is being incorporated into the project to implement this sheet formation.

The concept of the aerosol former combines the good formation of the wet process with the water reduction of the airlaid process and is based on an innovative flow control that allows the fibers to move freely and lay down evenly.

TBP Future GmbH
TBP Future concentrates in particular on the properties of dry fibers and their influence on the subsequent nonwoven manufacturing process. The focus is on the process engineering conception of the aerosol former, optimization and conceptual further development of the functional samples as well as the balancing of the aerosol former and evaluation of the fields of application.

Maschinenfabrik Raschau GmbH
From a mechanical engineering point of view, Maschinenfabrik Raschau is involved in the creation of design drawings, the production of individual components, the conceptual design of the aerosol former and the development of the discontinuous fleece removal and continuous discharge mechanism for pressureless fleece discharge.

Institute of Fluid Mechanics, TU Dresden
The Institute of Fluid Mechanics supports the development of the aerosol former with its expertise in numerical simulation and experimental analysis of multiphase flows. The focus is on the adaptation of experimental methods, development and validation of numerical simulation models, analysis and optimization of the technology as well as experimental testing of fluidic target variables in the various stages of technology development.

Paper Technology working group, TU Dresden
The Paper Technology working group investigates the properties and consolidation of the nonwovens produced, analyzes their influence on the paper properties, supports the development of a laboratory sheet former and compares the results with conventional papers.

Partner

• TBP Future GmbH
• Maschinenfabrik Raschau GmbH
• TU Dresden, Institute of Fluid Mechanics

Funding reference

© BMWK