Do You Know How to Clean The Dryer Fabric?

Dryer Fabric Cleaning

Cleaning the paper making dryer fabric is a key step in maintaining the production efficiency and paper quality of the paper machine. It is necessary to choose the appropriate method based on the dryer fabric material, dirt type, and production conditions.

The selection of cleaning methods should be based on the type of dirt and production conditions. Dryer fabric impurities are mainly divided into four categories: paper scraps (short fibers and fine materials), resin and tar (from pulp), water-soluble adhesives (unique to high-grade paper), and alkaline solvents or heat setting coatings (used for coating paper).

Different impurities require different treatments: paper scraps are easily washed away by water, resin and tar need to be dissolved by alkaline cleaning agents, and water-soluble adhesives and coatings may require organic solvents. Production conditions such as vehicle speed also affect the selection - low-speed machines can be shut down for cleaning, while high-speed machines should be cleaned online to reduce downtime. Common methods include:

High pressure water cleaning: using a high-temperature and high-pressure cleaning machine or a handheld high-pressure water gun, with a pressure usually between 100-200 bar, can effectively flush away paper scraps and loose impurities; The nozzle angle needs to be adjusted during online cleaning. Vertical flushing is required at low speeds, and tilting should be less than 90 ° at high speeds to avoid excessive impact force.

Chemical cleaning: For stubborn dirt, soak in a 10% alkaline solution (such as sodium hydroxide) for 30 minutes to dissolve the grease and resin, then neutralize the residue with a 5% -10% oxalic acid solution, and finally rinse thoroughly with water, taking care to avoid oxalic acid corrosion of metal parts.

Steam blowing and combined cleaning: Steam can soften tar impurities and is often combined with high-pressure water or compressed air (such as air-water mixing nozzles) to improve cleaning efficiency, but the cost is relatively high; Organic solvents are suitable for specific rubber compounds, but environmental protection and safety should be taken into account.

Online anti fouling technology: such as anti fouling coating (dryer fabric surface passivation), which forms a protective layer on the surface of the dryer fabric by spraying chemicals to reduce dirt adhesion, suitable for high-speed production, but requires cooperation with scraper and regular cleaning. ‌

The operation steps and safety precautions are crucial. Before cleaning, it is necessary to evaluate the degree of dirt: mild dirt can be washed with low-pressure water online, and severe fouling requires shutdown for chemical cleaning. During operation, high-pressure water flushing should control the pressure to avoid damaging the dryer fabric. After chemical cleaning, a large amount of water must be used to flush residual chemicals to prevent corrosion; Online cleaning equipment (such as negative pressure recovery devices) can avoid secondary pollution, but regular maintenance is required. In terms of safety, operators should wear protective equipment, and chemical agents should be diluted according to regulations to avoid direct contact with skin or eyes; Ensure that the equipment is powered off during cleaning to prevent accidental damage from high-pressure water. ‌

Maintenance recommendations to extend the lifespan of the dryer fabric. Regularly check the breathability of the dryer fabric and perform preventive cleaning before dirt accumulates to reduce downtime; Chemical cleaning should not be used frequently to avoid affecting the service life of the dryer fabric.

Physical methods such as high-pressure water flushing should be preferred; When choosing cleaning equipment, consider online cleaning capabilities, environmental friendliness, and cost. For example, high-temperature and high-pressure cleaning machines have a high cost-effectiveness, while combined cleaning equipment has better results but requires greater investment.