Market drivers

More than 60 percent of North America's paper mills are dryer-limited; they could produce more paper if their papermaking machines could dry the wet paper stock faster. Gas-fired infrared (IR) preheating offers a low-cost method of increasing drying capacity. By transferring additional heat to the wet paper stock and allowing the first few steam drums in a conventional dryer to be used more effectively, gas IR can boost line speed and output up to 15 percent.

Consortium program

Gas-fired infrared burners are widely used by the paper industry to dry coatings and to improve moisture profile across the web. The use of gas IR is less frequent for preheating and bulk water removal applications in the constant-rate and falling rate zones, since these applications are relatively new and scarce. Preheating and water removal applications offer a very profitable way to increase production from drying limited machines. The natural gas industry has formed a consortium to increase the awareness and market acceptance of gas IR for these non-conventional applications. The Gas IR Paper Drying consortium offers technical support to paper companies in the sponsoring natural gas utilities’ service areas.

To learn more about Gas-Fired Infrared Paper Drying equipment technologies, visit the NEW IR Paper Drying Consortium web site.