Kadant Johnson Starts-Up Pilot Corrugator Test Roll for Heat Transfer and Steam Energy Research

 

Three Rivers, Mich., March 29, 2012 – Kadant Johnson Inc., a subsidiary of Kadant Inc. (NYSE:KAI), announces the start-up of its pilot corrugator test roll at its research center in Three Rivers, Mich. The test apparatus is designed to simulate operating conditions of single-facer corrugating, pre-heater, and pre-conditioner rolls. The new pilot corrugator test apparatus is being used for product development and new technology innovation for the corrugating industry. The facility is also made available to help corrugated box manufacturers improve heat transfer, roll temperature uniformity, and increase machine speed.


"Over the past two years, we have been running baseline tests on our corrugator test stand using both conventional and peripherally-drilled rolls. These tests have provided significant insights into condensate behavior and heat transfer in corrugating rolls," said Greg Wedel, president of Kadant Johnson Inc. "We have decades of research focused on heat transfer in rotating rolls. Our knowledge of steam joints, syphons, and system design uniquely position us to provide the corrugating industry with a steam distribution and handling system that delivers more heat, more consistently, and more efficiently to maximize the production of corrugated board."


The first tests conducted on the pilot corrugator test apparatus used a 20" diameter x 104" face roll that was rated for 200 psig. The testing was done at speeds up to 2,400 fpm with condensing rates adjusted to simulate large heat load variations and a wide range of sheet weights. The corrugator test stand also features real-time recording of roll temperature profiles, supply and differential steam pressures, steam and condensate flow rates, and observation via high-definition digital video inside the steam-heated roll. The corrugator test roll is fitted with a CorrPro™ steam joint and a fully-integrated data acquisition system to quantify the potential for improvement in heat transfer, productivity, and efficiency.


Kadant Johnson Inc., based in Three Rivers, Michigan, is a leading provider of rotary joints, precision unions, and steam handling systems to process industries, where the Company optimizes heat transfer in rotating cylinders and integrates fluid handling systems.

Kadant is a leading supplier to the global pulp and paper industry. Our stock-preparation, fluid-handling, doctoring, and water-management equipment and systems are designed to increase efficiency and improve quality in pulp and paper production. Many of our products, particularly in our fluid-handling product line, are also used to optimize production in other process industries. In addition, we produce granules from papermaking byproducts for agricultural and lawn and garden applications. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with revenues of $335 million in 2011 and 1,700 employees in 17 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com.

 

The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including forward-looking statements about our products and technologies. Our actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Kadant's annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011. These include risks and uncertainties relating to our dependence on the pulp and paper industry; significance of sales and operation of manufacturing facilities in China; our ability to adjust operating costs and manufacturing in China to meet demand; commodity and component price increases or shortages; international sales and operations; competition; soundness of suppliers and customers; our effective tax rate; future restructurings; soundness of financial institutions; our debt obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement; our reserve for claims related to our discontinued operation; our acquisition strategy; protection of patents and proprietary rights; failure of our information systems or breaches of data security; fluctuations in our share price; and anti‐takeover provisions. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward‐looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

 

 

Share |