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20 Apr 16: Should we look to the old to find new ideas?
Have you ever heard of, let alone seen, a Harper Fourdrinier?  This was a design popular about a hundred years ago.
 
In this configuration, the fourdrinier direction of wire travel is backwards from that of the general flow of the machine (just like what one finds on a cylinder machine).  On top of the fourdrinier is the press section.  When the sheet emerges from the press section it is traveling "down machine."  These machines were usually equipped with stacked dryers as well.
 
So, let's think for a minute. What if we put the fourdrinier (or fourdiniers) in the basement, had a small sub-basement for the white water return silo (so that we achieve the proper head) and then placed the press section above the fourdrinier on the operating floor?
 
Would this allow us more easily to enclose the fourdrinier completely (something we have been advocating for some time)?  Would it enhance the capture of all the humidity around the wet end, and hence reduce all the problems we see from this humidity?
 
Would shortening the entire machine by this configuration outweigh the likely additional foundations and other work necessary to build such a scheme?
 
Could access be maintained or enhanced from what we are used to seeing in modern configurations?
 
Lots of questions, few answers, but a century old design is worth a bit of thought.  
 
We would like to hear from you. Please send an email to jthompson@taii.com 
with "LGMI Frontiers" in the subject line. 

  
As always, your comments will be appreciated.
 
 
Comments from last week:

Hi Jim,

I wish some mills would empty out their machine room and throw out the unnecessary stuff.  Too often, this junk becomes an impediment to trouble shoot problems and becomes a high cost when a rebuild is in the planning stages. 

While we are on the subject, I've dedicated myself to throwing out stuff boxes and getting rid of broke thickening loops.  The clients that know me have resisted this but in the end thanked me for forcing them to do these two very simple modifications to simplify operation, reduce energy consumption, reduce the number of breaks and free up some valuable space.

 
Regards,
 
Bryan Creagan
Montreal
Quebec
Canada
 
Go Bryan.  Stuff boxes went out with bell bottom slacks.

Jim
 
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