Patent ID: 7125473
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: D21F,D21G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for conditioning a moving porous paper web on a papermaking machine in a direction of travel wherein the web has first and second surfaces and a high temperature gaseous boundary layer adjacent at least the second surface and high temperature gas and/or vapor in pores of the web in flow communication with the first and/or second surfaces of the web, the apparatus comprising: a moving support having a support surface with the first surface of the web supported adjacent the support surface and the second surface of the web facing away from the support surface; at least one air deflector for stripping away at least a portion of the boundary layer from adjacent the second surface of the web prior to applying the flow of cooling gas there against; at least one orifice in flow communication with a cooling gas supply for applying a flow of cooling gas against the second surface of the web in order to cause a gas pressure to be exerted against the second surface; an entry jet box configured to direct a high velocity cooling gas over the porous paper web in a direction opposite to a direction in which the porous paper web moves; a vacuum chamber associated with the support surface for exerting a vacuum force against the first surface of the web supported adjacent the support surface wherein the vacuum force is sufficient to withdraw high temperature gas and/or vapor from at least pores adjacent the first surface of the web into the vacuum chamber and wherein the vacuum force is exerted adjacent a location on said first surface substantially opposed to the location at which the pressure force is maintained adjacent said second surface in order to promote a flow of gas through the web from adjacent the second to adjacent the first surface and into the vacuum chamber; and a moistening device configured to moisten the web adjacent to the moving support wherein the moistening device comprises a plurality of steam nozzles adjacent to the second surface of the web which results in steam condensation on the second surface of the web and within an interior region of the web.