Process Control / Paper Industry

Florida Infrared Thermographers can survey your paper mill quickly and efficiently, and produce photo-quality infrared and visual reports on your paper machine and other components in the papermaking process. This will allow you to plan repairs based on your production schedules.

Principles of Infrared Imaging

The principles of infrared imaging are based on the fact that all objects emit infrared radiation.  This level of radiation increases directly as temperature increases.  Infrared imaging equipment provides "live" presentation of temperature patterns being emitted by an object.  These patterns are displayed as standard video images in either black & white, or color.  The darker colors represent "cooler" temperatures; while the lighter colors would be "hotter".

SHEET MOISTURE/TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP

The advent of portable infrared imaging equipment has proven useful in determining the cause of cross-direction and machine direction moisture variations on paper machines. These variations in sheet moisture at the reel, usually found occurring at the wet end, directly correlate with temperature differences. The application of this phenomenon to the paper making process is based on the fundamental temperature/moisture relationship in the sheet. Paper with a lower moisture content is relatively warmer than paper with a higher moisture content.. Therefore, the darker thermographic images are "cooler" and represent areas of higher moisture content. Conversely, the brighter the image, the drier the sheet. We have found in using the equipment that the sheet temperature profile correlates very well with the moisture profile scans at the reel. No matter where they originate, the wet areas in the sheet remain cooler than the drier areas.

SUMMARY

While infrared thermography does not replace good paper making know-how, it does provide information that can help pinpoint complicated or persistent moisture imbalance problems.

Thermographic analysis enables the mill to identify the source of irregularities without shutting down the machine or otherwise affecting production; thus making problem-solving both efficient and economical.

Typical problem areas where infrared thermography has proven to be an invaluable troubleshooting tool:

1. WET/DRY STREAKS (CD and MD)

2. BARRING PROBLEMS

3. SLICE IRREGULARITIES

4. PLUGGED FELTS, SHOWERS, AND DRILLED ROLLS

5. DEFECTIVE ROLL COVERS

6. INCORRECT ROLL CAMBERS

7. UNEVEN STEAMBOX DISTRIBUTION

8. PLUGGED UHLE AND SUCTION BOXES

9. UNEVEN FELT CONSTRUCTION

10. STEAM CONDENSATE PROBLEMS

11. PRESS ROLL AND CALENDER STACK VIBRATION

12. GENERAL MACHINE MAINTENANCE i.e. STEAM LEAKS, OVER HEATED BEARINGS, AND ELECTRICAL HOT SPOTS.