Hi,

 Like all paper machines we have a problem now and then of a dryer "loading up" (condensate not siphoning out of dryer) with condensate. The motor load increases so you know what section on the machine is loaded.

 I have been called a couple of times to use my ir imager to find the loaded dryer. I shoot the heads of the dryers where the emmissivity is pretty near .94. However, even setting the span narrow and the level close to the hottest dryer I have not been able to make a definite call. It would seem a dryer that is cooler than the rest would be the one that has condensate. I have even tried to image the outlet of the dryer to try and find the one that is full of condensate.

 Has anyone had any success with ir and this problem?

 Thanks in advance,

 Aubrey

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And you think that looks hot?

This is not based on experience, but:

Have you looked at the steam inlet of the dryer?  If the dryer is loaded and bound, then it is likely to not be accepting steam.  If so, the inlet may be cooler than the others. 

Jack

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Jack M. Kleinfeld, P.E.
Kleinfeld Technical Services, Inc.
Bronx, NY
718-884-6644
JKEngineer@KleinfeldTechnical.com
come see what we can do for you: http://www.KleinfeldTechnical.com

That was the third item I looked at. I started with the head, then at the condensate outlet, then the steam inlet. Not much difference that I can see. Unfortunately there is always the possibility that a dryer is not loaded up.

 I am going out today and tighten my span to see if I am expecting too much of a temperature change.

 Thanks,

 Aubrey

 

 

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And you think that looks hot?

I would not depend on what is visible in the camera's display while in the mill.  I would suggest saving images and looking at them on narrow span in the office on the computer.  My camera, at least, does not have nearly the control of image display that is available to me on the computer. 

On the other hand, you and I agree that you should be seeing a pretty big difference, so it should be visible in the field. 

Another place to look would be the outside of the sheet as it leaves the can.  A flooded dryer should not be heating the sheet as much as a working one.  Also look into the outgoing nip between the sheet and the dryer surface - the narrow cavity will act like a deep hole/black body giving fairly good emissivity even though the can is chromed.  The temperature reading is likely to be an average of the sheet and can.  Also look at the change from the ingoing to outgoing nips for each can and compare the rise.  All of this of course if the felt runs allow it. 

Jack

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Jack M. Kleinfeld, P.E.
Kleinfeld Technical Services, Inc.
Bronx, NY
718-884-6644
JKEngineer@KleinfeldTechnical.com
come see what we can do for you: http://www.KleinfeldTechnical.com