Film press workstations are designed with regards to the required starch transport to film press spreading heads in volume and quality required for a correct film  press function.

The equipment design is fully symmetrical, i.e. each spreading head has got a separate system composed of the following parts:

• Starch work tank of the volume designed according to the paper machine output, with a twin shell, of a conical shape, usually without agitators
• Pump delivering starch to the spreading head controlled by frequency converter
• Electric pressure filter with an automatic flushing mode
• Automatic fittings and measuring & control (M&C) elements
• Coarse impurity filter in a starch overflow back-flow pipeline
• Flat vibrating screen filtering rejects from electric pressure screens
• (common for both pipeline branches)
• Control system is part of film press deliveries

Concept

The stations are always delivered in compact units to be connected to media sources, to starch delivery pipelines towards the film press and to back flow starch recirculation pipelines.
The starch circulation in work tanks is enabled by their conical shape and by the tangential backflow piping inlets. Using the agitators depends on process conditions. 

The tank twin shell is used to keep starch at a constant temperature set by the control system. The shell is either water cooled or steam heated. For correct function of the film press spreading heads, a proper recirculated starch surplus must be arranged. The device enables to work with a recirculated starch quantity of up to 99 %. With regard to this fact all the workstation parts are designed for such high throughput volumes.

The control system controls a fully automated work station operation mode including the automatic pressure electric filters flushing mode and all the mode sequences following the film press mode sequences. For dosing auxiliary chemical agents to starch both station branches are equipped with respective inlets on the starch pump suction side.

The machinery design and safety comply with the EU and EAC industrial standards.

Station parameters

For PM capacities: 10 – 50 tph
System: symmetrical concept
Storage tank volume: 1.5 – 5 m
Work tank shape: conical with twin shell, agitator on demand only
Tank equipment: twin shell for heating/cooling, M&C elements (level and temperature sensors)
Material: acid (low pH) / proof stainless steel
Pump performance: 1 to 95 m /hr. controlled by means of frequency converter according to the PM performance
Recirculation ratio: 1:20
Filtering starch: before film press inlet, electric pressure rotating filter 250 µm (depending on the application 100 – 500 µm), back flow filtered through coarse filter (paper scraps) and flat vibrating screen VP 250-500µm
Station design: compact design, all the elements including the electric switchboard and air header are installed in a single support frame

Energy demand

Rated input: 4 – 50 kW / 3x 400 VAC / 50/60 Hz
Instrument air: min. 5 bar, dew point -20 C
Fresh water: min. 3 bar, no mechanical impurities

Water warming-up station

Serves to prepare warm water needed for a film press correct function. Two temperature levels

Station parameters

Water temperature level 1: 34 – 45 C 
Water temperature level 2: 55 – 65 C
Water use: film press equipment showering and flushing, process functions (diluting starch down to work concentration)
Water heating-up principle: continuous saturated steam injection to water stream in steam mixer
Storage tank: 2 – 5 m according to consumption, mineral wool insulated
Heating circulation pumps: vertical with accessories
Delivery pumps: vertical with accessories and performance control
Station design: compact design, all the elements including the electric switchboard and air header are installed in a single support
frame.

Energy demand

Rated input: 8 – 20 kW / 3x 400 VAC / 50/60 Hz
Instrument air: min. 5 bar, dew point -20 C
Fresh water: min. 3 bar, no mechanical impurities
Saturated steam: 4 – 5 bar .abs.

Water is heated up to two various temperatures needed for the film press proper function.

Station dimensions: 1,800 x 2,800 x 2,500 mm.
Stainless frame with diaphragm pumps and M&C elements.
Controlled from the film press control board.
Weight: 1,600 kg.