Sacrificial recoverable displacing agent for improved paper dewatering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of rewet of in a press section of an industrial press including a press fabric for carrying a sheet, a press for applying pressure to the press fabric and for forcing water out of the sheet and into the press fabric, and means for applying a reusable displacing agent to at least one side of press fabric, the displacing agent absorbing interfacial water upon exiting the press and preventing rewet of the sheet.

1 . A method of reducing the amount of rewet in a press section of an papermaking press comprising the steps of: 
 providing a press fabric;    depositing a water containing paper sheet onto the press fabric;    depositing a displacement agent on at least one side of the press fabric; and    pressing the combination of the press fabric, paper sheet, and displacing agent in a press nip, wherein upon exiting the press nip the displacing agent absorbs interfacial water and prevents rewet of the sheet.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of recapturing the displacing agent.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of reconstituting the displacing agent.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of removing the displacing agent by a fabric.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing agent is applied between the press fabric and the sheet.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing agent reduces the amount of sheet rewet following the pressing of water from the sheet to the press fabric.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for reducing the amount of rewet in a press section of a papermaking machine: 
 at least one press fabric for carrying a sheet;    a press for applying pressure to the press fabric and for forcing water out of the paper sheet and into the press fabric; and    means for applying a reusable displacing agent to the press fabric.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising means for recapturing the displacing agent.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising means for reconstituting the displacing agent.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the displacing agent is removed by a fabric.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the displacing agent is applied between the press fabric and the sheet.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the displacing agent reduces the amount of sheet rewet following the pressing of water from the sheet to the press fabric.