Pulp and Paper

Kadant’s PT2X rotary joint and stationary syphon system is engineered specifically for paper machines, delivering reliable sealing, long service life, and simplified maintenance. Its spring-loaded piston design maintains balanced pressure on the seal ring for consistent performance. A stainless-steel shroud protects the seal cartridge from contaminants, while the high-visibility seal wear indicator enables predictive maintenance and planned downtime. Built for high-speed, high-temperature operation, the PT2X rotary joint handles angular misalignment and thermal expansion, even on the front side of the dryer section.

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Kadant expansion joints and flexible metal hoses are essential components in the steam, condensate, and process piping systems that support paper manufacturing. Found throughout the dryer section, press section, and utility lines, expansion joints manage thermal expansion, vibration, and equipment movement under high-temperature and pressure conditions. Expansion joints absorb thermal growth, reduce system stress, and prevent leaks in pipelines carrying steam, condensate, and exhaust gases, while flexible metal hoses compensate for misalignment and movement between critical equipment. Together, they ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of process piping systems, extending equipment life and improving production uptime.

Turbulator Tube bars are engineered to improve heat transfer and drying efficiency in the dryer section of paper machines. Installed inside steam-heated dryer cylinders, they create controlled turbulence in the condensate layer, breaking up the rimming film that limits heat transfer. This increases the rate of drying and ensures more uniform temperature distribution across the machine. Their patented axial design delivers consistent heat transfer along the entire cylinder length, reducing cross-machine temperature variation and improving sheet moisture profiles.

Kadant jet products are engineered to control steam pressure and temperature in pulp and paper manufacturing processes, recovering and reusing steam energy to improve efficiency, stability, and sustainability. Found throughout steam and condensate systems in the mill, these components play a vital role in optimizing heat transfer and process performance. Thermocompressors increase the pressure and temperature of low-energy blow-through steam by mixing it with high-pressure motive steam for reuse in the drying process, while desuperheaters reduce the temperature of superheated steam through direct water injection to produce steam ideal for heat transfer and drying applications.

Kadant’s experienced services team helps pulp and paper producers worldwide maintain safe, reliable, and efficient operations across their steam and condensate systems and dryer sections. Mechanical services include expert installation, repair, and maintenance of critical equipment to ensure peak performance and system reliability. Through detailed steam system studies, Kadant engineers analyze system design, energy efficiency, and equipment performance to identify opportunities for improvement and cost reduction. Kadant’s nondestructive testing (NDT) and reel spool NDT services use advanced inspection technologies to detect early signs of wear or fatigue on critical equipment, preventing failures, reducing downtime, and supporting proactive maintenance.

Kadant steam and condensate systems deliver precise heat control and energy efficiency throughout the pulp and paper production process, ensuring consistent sheet moisture, uniform temperature, and optimal drying performance. Cascade steam systems provide progressively lower steam pressures and temperatures for multi-section processes requiring controlled heat transfer and maximum energy recovery, while thermocompressor steam systems maintain constant steam pressure by recompressing recovered blow-through steam with motive steam to ensure stable temperatures, reduced energy consumption, and improved process efficiency.

Whether using a cascade, thermocompressor, or hybrid steam system, Kadant’s intelligent control and automation technology maximizes performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. Designed to meet the speed and precision demands of modern pulp and paper operations, these integrated controls work seamlessly with rotary steam joints, syphon systems, and steam and condensate handling equipment. Automated control logic continuously adjusts steam setpoints based on product grade, basis weight, speed, and moisture, while built-in intelligence, such as anti-flooding protection, differential pressure management, thermocompressor anti-choke, and startup/shutdown automation, maintains system balance, optimizes energy use, and enables predictive maintenance for long-term performance.

Evaluating the performance of your dryer section can identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency, runnability, and productivity of your machine. Based on Kadant’s evaluation of more than 1,000 dryer sections around the globe, Kadant offers unparalleled expertise and insight into optimizing dryer section performance. A comprehensive report following the evaluation defines improvement opportunities and quantifies the benefits of operational equipment changes.

Kadant’s research and development program drives innovation in steam and condensate management, rotary sealing, and heat transfer technologies for the pulp and paper industry. At the W.R. Monroe Research and Development Center, engineers test and optimize rotary joints, syphons, and Turbulator bars under real-world drying conditions to improve performance and efficiency. With advanced data analysis and a dedicated Tribology Laboratory studying seal wear and material performance, Kadant develops proven solutions that maximize heat transfer, increase machine speed, reduce energy use, and extend equipment life.