DEWATERING AND CONSOLIDATION OF WET WEBS

In recent years significant developments have occurred in the forming, wet pressing, breaker stack compaction, and multi-cylinder drying pro cesses, which are the conventional means of dewatering and consolidati on of wet webs. In addition, a series of new web consolidation methods has been developed, which are presently either being commercialized o r approaching commercialization. New techniques, such as hot pressing, press drying, impulse drying, superheated steam drying, high-intensit y drying and pre-calendering have the potential to improve the energy efficiency of web consolidation and enhance the finished product prope rties. The conventional and novel techniques are critically reviewed w ith the emphasis on their effect on product quality.