Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning the forming fabric used on a papermaking machine includes a chamber surrounding a span of the forming fabric on either side thereof. A source of sub-atmospheric air pressure is connected to the chamber for removing water mist surrounding the fabric. Mounted within the chamber is a pair of high pressure-low volume water impingement showers in substantially opposed array for directing jets of relatively high pressure water against the forming fabric as the forming fabric passes through the chamber via slots on either end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, downstream of the pair of high pressure needle showers is a second shower apparatus comprising a relatively low pressure-high volume flooding water shower to direct a water spray against the inner side of the looped forming fabric to flood the interstices of the forming fabric with water to wash out pulp fibers therefrom. Downstream of the relatively lower pressure shower, and on the same side of the wire, is an air knife comprising a nozzle for directing a stream of compressed air against the forming fabric to blow water and pulp fibers entrained by the water from the interstices of the forming fabric and through the outer surface thereof and into a catch pan located in the chamber on the opposed side of the forming fabric. The high pressure-low volume opposed impingement showers thus operate in conjunction with the relatively low pressure-high volume shower and air knife within the enclosure to clean both sides of the forming fabric while simultaneously providing for removal of the water mist produced by the process (via the sub-atmospheric air pressure) to prevent fibers dislodged from the forming fabric from being deposited on the papermaking machinery, including the forming fabric itself, to thereby clean the forming fabric.

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First Claim