Auxiliary systems for paper production

Voith´s perfectly matched auxiliary systems for paper production ensure optimum operating safety and energy efficiency.
Although the systems for vacuum and steam & condensate (S&C) are often not the focus of attention, they are of crucial relevance when it comes to the issues of sustainability and runability. Even small deviations from the ideal operating point can lead to significantly higher energy consumption and thus to rising operating costs. In addition, if systems are not optimally designed, the stability of the paper machine run, and therefore the productivity of your system, will deteriorate.
 
As full-line supplier, Voith provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and knows the requirements of the paper machine down to the smallest detail. With our many years of experience, we combine proven solutions with your individual requirements. As a paper machine manufacturer, we are free to select equipment for subsystems and advise you independently. Our experts will work with you to find the right solution for your system – not only in combination with new machines but also for rebuilds and optimizations.

Your benefits

  • Experienced partner in designing and supplying auxiliary systems
  • Neutal partner for the selection ot the most efficient system
  • Supply of well-proven equipment for high runability
  • Responsibility in one hand – all around carefree package
  • Customized search for the most efficient and economical solution for customer´s special requirements 

xVac vacuum systems

Vacuum systems are responsible for dewatering of the paper web in the former section and for sheet transfer and felt conditioning in the press section.The vacuum system consists of the suction elements at the paper machine, the vacuum control loops, vacuum piping, water separation system, vacuum generators and exhaust line with silencer. When designing an xVac vacuum system, the experienced Voith experts ensure that the vacuum requirement of the paper machine is met as well as the specific demands and objectives of each customer – such as budget, energy requirement, flexibility and robustness. Other special conditions, like availability of space and water or ambient temperature, must also be taken into account.

As an independent partner, Voith advises the customer in choosing the most suitable vacuum system for his paper machine. After the choice is made, we support you with the design, supply and installation of the system. We work together with all industry-proven suppliers of vacuum generators and find the perfect fit for every application. Based on more than 80 years of experience, we combine your specific demands with the requirements of your paper machine and the characteristics of the different vacuum generators in an optimal way. In doing so, we keep the balance between investment and operating costs of your xVac vacuum system in line with your objectives.

Your benefits with xVac vacuum systems by Voith

  • Experienced partner in designing and supplying vacuum systems
  • Independent partner for the selection of the most suitable vacuum components
  • Selection of well-proven equipment for highest runability
  • Perfect match of paper machine and overall vacuum system including all involved components
  • Responsibility in one hand with Voith as full-line supplier
  • Improvement in the sustainability of your paper production through reduced energy consumption

Water ring vacuum pumps

Water ring vacuum pumps used in Voith xVac vacuum systems for paper production are very robust and easy to handle
Water ring vacuum pumps are very robust and easy to handle. Due to their flexibility and robustness, they are perfectly suited for paper machine rebuilds, for specialty paper machines or in stock de-aeration systems.

Water ring vacuum pumps provide an operating vacuum range from 20 to 90 kPa.

Vacuum blowers

Vacuum blowers by MAN used in Voith xVac vacuum systems for paper production.
Vacuum blowers by MAN
Vacuum blowers are very energy-efficient by physical concept. With a variable speed drive, power consumption can be optimized even more by adjustment to the different paper grades produced on the paper machine. In addition, heat recovery of the exhaust air is possible.

Vacuum blowers provide an operating vacuum range from 25 to 75 kPa.
Vacuum blowers made by Runtech Systems used in Voith xVac Vacuum Systems for paper production
Vacuum blowers made by Runtech Systems

Low vacuum fans

Low vacuum fans are perfectly designed to cover the vacuum requirements of the first suction boxes in the former section. A balanced combination of low vacuum fans with vacuum blowers or water ring vacuum pumps results in higher energy efficiency and lower installation costs.

Low vacuum fans provide an operating vacuum range from 5 to 25 kPa.

Special Service: xVac vacuum audits

In a vacuum audit conducted by Voith, you benefit from our extensive expertise, long-term experience and supplier neutrality.
For optimization, trouble shooting or upgrading an existing vacuum system, Voith can perform a vacuum audit with customized and supplier-independent solutions. Depending on the depth required, this can be carried out as a remote audit based on existing data of the system or as a detailed audit with on-site examinations and measurements.

In a xVac vacuum audit conducted by Voith, you benefit from our extensive expertise, long-term experience and supplier neutrality.

xSteam steam and condensate systems

The steam and condensate system supplies the individual heating groups and the included drying cylinders with the amount of steam required for drying the paper. The distribution of steam to the heating groups is controlled by the Quality Control System (QCS) and the heating curves of the heating groups. In addition, the steam and condensate system ensures that the condensate produced is reliably discharged from the cylinders. Through this system, other units can also be supplied with steam.

Based on its long-term expertise in papermaking, Voith designs, develops and installs safe and reliable xSteam solutions, including steam and condensate systems. Our experts will support you in choosing the ideal system for your machine, taking into account your individual requirements. As a result, you can optimize your paper production and reduce operating costs.

Your benefits with xSteam steam and condensate systems by Voith

  • The best drying process for your product
  • Energy-efficient technology
  • Advanced drying concepts
  • Improved dryer control concept

Cascade system

The cascade system used in Voith xSteam steam and condensate systems is the most cost-effective heating system in terms of investment and operating costs in paper production.
The cascade system is the most cost-effective heating system in terms of investment and operating costs, because only low-pressure steam is required to operate the heating system. A characteristic feature of the cascade system is the reuse of the flash steam generated in one heating group in the next, lower-heated heating group. However, compared to other forms of heating systems, the cascade system is less flexible.

Energy-efficient cascade systems are appropriate for the production of all types of paper and are easy to maintain.

Thermocompressor system

The thermocompressor system used in Voith xSteam steam and condensate systems offer particulary flexible solutions
Thermocompressor systems offer particularly flexible solutions – for example, when producing a wide range of varieties. A characteristic feature of the thermocompressor system is that each individual heating group can be operated individually and independently of all other heating groups in the heating system.

The steam and condensate mixture from a heating group is transferred to a separator and subdivided there. The condensate produced is fed to the boiler house via a condensate collector. The resulting flash steam is adjusted by a thermocompressor to the steam pressure of the heating group, so that it is ready for paper drying again.

Thermocompressor systems are suited best for the production of board and packaging papers but can be used for all types of paper.

xSteam TopDry 

The TopDry F used in Voith xSteam steam and condensate systems is exclusively suitable for packaging paper production.
xSteam TopDry is a patented steam and condensate system exclusively suitable for packaging paper production. It provides higher flexibility at light basis weights and at high machine speeds. Flexibility increases additionally at low dry contents after the press, which leads to high paper quality.

xSteam TopDry reduces soiling and sticking due to surface drying on the first drying cylinders. This results in better runability.

xSteam Pro

xSteam Pro is an additional and patented system suitable for all types of paper
xSteam Pro is another patented system suitable for all types of paper. The characteristic feature of the system is that the energy contained in the flash steam of the lowest heated heating group is not lost via the condenser, but is returned to the paper drying process.
The xSteam Pro also enables savings in cooling water, resulting in lower operating costs. The system is highly accepted due to the substantial savings of steam and cooling water, as well as the low investment costs.
  • Steam savings up top 9,600 t/a 
  • Savings in cooling water, up top 280,000 m3/a 
  • ROI < 1.5 years

xSteam automation

As a full-line supplier, Voith provides complete solutions and automation for your steam and condensate system
As a full-line supplier, Voith provides complete solutions for your steam and condensate system – all from a single source. For optimum paper production, coordinated interaction between the quality control system and the steam and condensate system is important. The quality control system shows measurement data to which the xSteam steam and condensate system reacts by carrying out more or less steam. In this way, an optimum dry content of the paper web is achieved with maximum efficiency.

xSteam audits

For optimization, upgrading or bug fixing, Voith offers an audit for xSteam steam and condensate systems
For optimization, upgrading or bug fixing, Voith offers an audit for xSteam steam and condensate systems. This can be carried out via remote audit or as a detailed audit directly at your site. The results from the audit, combined with our long-term experience, enable us to recommend a customized solution for your machine.

Check out our complete service portfolio

Our service for the paper industry ranges from individual equipment service to maintenance partnerships. Together we will find the right offer for you.

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