Apparatus for dewatering a paper web and associated system and method

摘要

An apparatus for decreasing heat emission and enhancing a vacuum system in a papermaking machine is provided. Such an apparatus includes a drying device having an inlet for receiving heated air for removing moisture from a paper web and an outlet for exhausting the moisture-containing air from the drying device. A vacuum system is configured to produce a suction and receive the moisture-containing air. A web handling device is disposed upstream of the drying device and is configured to interact with the web before the web is directed to the drying device. The web handling device is further configured to receive a portion of the moisture-containing air from the drying device, wherein the portion of the moisture-containing air is directed through the web by the web handling device to facilitate dewatering of the web before the moisture-containing air is received by the vacuum system. The web handling device is also configured to provide the moisture-containing air at a supply pressure with respect to the suction produced by the vacuum system such that the web handling device operates at an above-ambient pressure. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.