CAPILLARY DEWATERING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

Disclosed is a method for reducing the moisture content of a paper web in a papermaking process from in the range of 10 % to 32 % dry to the range of 33 % to 50 % dry wherein the embryonic web (14) is supported on a knuckled through drier fabric and lightly pressed between the knuckled through drier fabric and a capillary membrane (12) of a capillary dewatering roll. The capillary membrane (12) has capillary pores therethrough which have a substantially straight through, non-tortuous path with a pore aspect ratio of from about 2 to about 20. A vacuum is drawn within the capillary dewatering roll which is not greater than the negative capillary suction pressure of the capillary pores.