Sustainability in paper plants with spray nozzles is a crucial aspect of the industry’s efforts to minimize environmental impact and promote responsible resource management. By implementing sustainable practices and utilizing efficient spray nozzle systems, paper plants can achieve significant improvements in their sustainability performance.
One key area of focus is water conservation. Paper production requires a substantial amount of water, and spray nozzles play a vital role in controlling the water usage during various stages of the process.
The biggest issue on paper plants with regards water consumption is nozzle wear. Spray nozzles that are worn by just 10% cannot be seen by the naked eye, but are delivering significantly more water, or chemical than what is required.
WHY IT PAYS TO RIGHT-SIZE SPRAY NOZZLES
Making sure nozzles are sized properly for the operation sounds simple. But, many processors tend to use higher capacity nozzles than required. Right-sizing nozzles is a simple change that won’t disrupt operations but can deliver significant dividends.
STEP 1
KNOW THE FLOW
How much water flows through spray nozzles every day? Take a quick look at the math for a single nozzle below.
| How much water for a single nozzle? The flow rate of a full cone spray nozzle* is:
* 3/8” H FullJet® |
How much water for an entire operation?
Most paper plants use hundreds of nozzles in various operations including cleaning, coating, lubricating, moisturizing, cooling and more. |
STEP 2
REDUCE THE FLOW
What if nozzles with a lower flow rate could be used in the same cleaning operation without compromising effectiveness? The chart below reveals what could happen.
RESULTS
- 47,696,188 liters saved per year simply by using a slightly smaller capacity nozzle — a 7.9 lpm full cone nozzle spraying at 1.5 bar
- 88,578,636 liters saved per year by using an even smaller capacity nozzle — a 4.9 lpm 1.5 bar
SUSTAINABLE SAVINGS
Sustainability assessment programs will help your operations become more efficient, productive, sustainable and safe. It happens on-site with no disruptions to production.To learn more, visit
spray.com/sustainability-assessment
Proper maintenance and regular inspection of spray nozzle systems are essential for sustainability in paper plants. Regular cleaning and replacement of nozzles ensure their optimal performance, preventing issues such as clogging or uneven spray distribution. This not only improves the quality of the final product but also reduces the need for rework or additional resources.
Another important aspect of sustainability in paper plants is the reduction of chemical usage. Spray nozzles are responsible for the application of various chemicals, such as coatings, dyes, and adhesives, onto the paper fibers. By utilizing precision spray nozzles, paper plants can achieve better control over the chemical application process, ensuring that only the required amount of chemicals is used. This not only minimizes waste but also reduces the release of potentially harmful substances into the environment
Monitor Engineering Pty Ltd
83 Heidelberg Road, City Deep production Park, Mini unit 9, City Deep, Johannesburg
