Steam Hammer in Continuous Casting of Steel

Continuous casting of steel is the process where molten steel is solidified into a semi-finished billet, bloom, or slab for subsequent rolling in the finishing mills. Effective water cooling of continuous casting rolls is critical. Any drop in water pressure, even from a leaking hose, can result in reduced water flow causing water to remain in the rolls longer than recommended.

Written by Frank Marsden on November 10, 2015.

Does your vacuum breaker experience sporadic periods of chattering and spit out condensate?

A newly installed steam injection water heater with a ½” vacuum breaker was experiencing sporadic periods where the vacuum breaker chattered rapidly and “spit out” condensate. Once the water heater reached its set point, the chattering stopped and did not reappear for hours. Chatter will eventually destroy the cage that holds the spring and ball-check in place on the vacuum breaker.

Written by Jan Walter on April 16, 2015.

Vacuum Breaker Best Practice: Keeping Contamination Out

Vacuum breakers are frequently installed with the air inlet port facing up. This orientation can lead to contaminants entering the steam system and potentially accumulating on the ball, seat, and cage area of the vacuum breaker.

Written by Al Ives on March 17, 2015.

Pressure Powered Pump Alternative Reduces Maintenance

There are thousands of electric centrifugal pumps in service used to pump condensate. These pumps are either simplex or duplex condensate pump units and operated with a mechanical float switch assembly.

Written by Mike Sneary on October 28, 2014.

Paper Dryer Fabric Tension Impacts Dryer Performance

Dryer fabrics, often called dryer “felts”, are used to hold paper against the outer surfaces of steam-heated drying cylinders. The pressure from the dryer fabrics increases the rate of heat transfer from the dryer to the paper. The pressure that is applied to the paper depends on the fabric tension and the diameter of the dryer. The pressure can be calculated, as a first approximation, by the equation:

Written by Greg Wedel on September 16, 2014.

Steam, Paper Drying, and the Bottom Line

Because energy drives the papermaking process, steam is found in many energy streams in a paper mill. Steam is used to cook fibers for improved sheet strength, heat stock for improved drainage, heat process air for ventilation, heat dryers to dry paper, and selectively heat the web for improved gloss and smoothness.

Written by Wes Martz on October 13, 2015.

Celebrating 100 Years of TAPPI at PaperCon 2015

PaperCon, organized by TAPPI, is the largest annual pulp and paper technical program in the world. This year PaperCon is coming to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The theme “100 Years: A Century of Achievement” sets the stage for the program topics and speakers. The 100 year TAPPI celebration will be prevalent throughout PaperCon, including the Centennial Celebration Gala and special keynote speaker AfterBurner, featuring a “top gun” fighter pilot.

Written by Vicki Hunsberger on March 24, 2015.

What is the lowest operating temperature for a vacuum breaker?

A vacuum breaker is an anti-siphoning check valve used in a variety of applications to prevent a vacuum from developing. When the vacuum breaker valve is sealed, its spring seats a ball against an O-ring.

Written by Jan Walter on January 06, 2015.

Corrugating Experts Head to Long Beach for Corrugated Week

Organized by TAPPI and AICC, Corrugated Week attracts decision makers from the industry for a weeklong, jam-packed event with industry trend, innovation, and new product and service discussions.

Written by Danielle Rohrer on October 01, 2014.

Kadant Johnson Hosts TAPPI’s CORBOTEC Annual Summer Meeting

Kadant Johnson Inc. recently hosted TAPPI’s CORBOTEC (Corrugated Board Technical Service Committee) annual summer meeting at its W.R. Monroe Research and Development Center in Three Rivers, Michigan.

Written by Danielle Rohrer on September 02, 2014.

The Kadant Blog

Fluid Handling