Steamdry

Twitter Linkedin Youtube

Author: steamdry

Posted on

AIT to Present SteamDry Project at NEFI Conference on Decarbonization in the Paper Industry

NEFI Conference 2024

NEFI Conference 2024

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology will showcase the SteamDry project  at the NEFI Conference, scheduled for October 24-25, 2024, in Vienna, Austria. The presentation will be a part of the NEFI Technology Talk: Decarbonisation of the Paper Industry – Perspectives, Opportunities, and Innovative Solutions, on October 25, 11:30 – 13:00.

AIT’s talk, titled “SteamDry: Innovative Solution for Decarbonizing the Drying Process in the Paper Industry,” will focus on reducing carbon emissions in one of the paper industry’s most energy-intensive stages – the drying process. The NEFI Technology Talk will cover various decarbonization challenges and solutions from industry level to site level and down to the process and component level for decarbonizing the paper sector, which consumes over 348,808 GWh annually in Europe.

Key speakers at this session include:

  • Veronika Wilk (AIT), providing the welcome and introduction.
  • David Kainrath (Austropapier), presenting on Austria’s decarbonization framework for the pulp and paper sector.
  • Sophie Knöttner (AIT), showcasing a decision support tool for decarbonizing energy supply at paper production sites.
  • Gert Pfleger (Norske Skog), presenting on  the Waste-to-Energy Boiler project’s success.
  • Sabrina Dusek (AIT), introducing SteamDry as an innovative solution for decarbonizing the drying process.

About NEFI Conference 2024

NEFI Conference 2024 (NEFI Conference 2024 – NEFI): The 3rd international scientific NEFI Conference2024 takes place in Vienna, Austria, on 24-25 October. It’s a must-attend event for industry, researchers, and government agencies driving the transition to a greener net zero future.

The focus is on Industrial Decarbonisation, cooperation, and transformation, supporting industries on their path toward a sustainable future. Don’t miss the opportunity for networking and collaboration with great experts. Register now!

NEFI+ is the new innovation laboratory of the Climate and Energy Fund’s RTI initiative for the transformation of industry. Important practical research and demonstration projects for a climate neutral industry are being developed in six hubs. The innovation network NEFI – New Energy for Industry (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Montanuniversität Leoben, OÖ Energiesparverband and Business Upper Austria) supports the development of the innovation hubs with its infrastructure, expertise and existing networks. Significant funding comes from the two strong industrial federal states of Upper Austria and Styria. The Climate and Energy Fund’s RTI initiative for the transformation of industry is part of the Climate Protection Ministry’s overarching climate and transformation campaign “Transformation of Industry”.

Posted on

AIT to Showcase SteamDry Project at Chillventa 2024

Our project partner, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, participated in the Chillventa 2024 Exhibition from October 8 to 10, 2024 at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg. Chillventa is the world’s leading exhibition focused on refrigeration, air conditioning (AC), ventilation, and heat pump technologies, providing a global platform to explore the latest industry trends and innovations.

At this year’s event, AIT, Austria’s largest Research and Technology Organization (RTO), presented its work in sustainable thermal energy systems. Specializing in heat integration and energy efficiency, AIT leads the design and validation of the Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) process, a key focus of the SteamDry project.

Attendees could visit the AIT booth at Hall 4A, Stand 4A-305, where SteamDry were prominently featured. Through engaging slide presentations, visitors will discover how the Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) technology can transform energy-intensive drying processes by significantly reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact.

For the SteamDry project, AIT plays a critical role, coordinating the design of the SSD drying process with heat integration (WP4), validating the SSD concept (WP5), and contributing to the development of digitalization tools (WP8) for enhanced performance.

The slides used during the conference are available for consultation here.

 

About Chillventa 2024

Chillventa is the premier global exhibition for professionals in the fields of refrigeration, AC, ventilation, and heat pump technologies. With more than 843 exhibitors from 43 countries and over 30,000 visitors expected, the event is an unmatched platform for discovering innovative products, learning about the latest trends, and networking with industry experts.

Key topics at Chillventa 2024 include energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainability, all of which align with AIT’s focus on creating sustainable thermal energy solutions.

 

Posted on

SteamDry at the 19th Netherlands Process Technology Symposium (NPS 19)

SteamDry was represented at the 19th Netherlands Process Technology Symposium (NPS 19), taking place from October 8-9, 2024, at Forum Groningen in Groningen, the Netherlands. The symposium is a leading event for academic and industrial advancements in chemical engineering and sustainable technologies.

Our partner, Felipe de Oliveira, a PhD candidate at the University of Twente’s Sustainable Process Technology group, presented the design of a separation system for a closed-loop superheated steam drying (SHSD) process in the paper industry and won the Best Poster Award among 58 participants. This project is a key part of the SteamDry project, which aims to revolutionize energy efficiency in industrial drying processes.

Presentation Overview:

“Design of a Separation System for the Closed-Loop Superheated Steam Drying Process in the Paper Industry“
Felipe de Oliveira, Edwin Zondervan, Marcel Meinders
(University of Twente and Wageningen University & Research)

The paper industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, with drying accounting for nearly 70% of total energy consumption. The SHSD process being researched has the potential to reduce energy use by 70% and cut CO2 emissions by 88% compared to traditional air drying methods. However, contaminants like dust and non-condensable gases pose challenges that need to be addressed to maintain an efficient, closed-loop system.

The University of Twente’s role in the SteamDry project is to design a model-based separation system that ensures high-quality steam recovery. This involves the development of dynamic models that will optimize the separation equipment’s performance and ultimately contribute to creating a digital twin for real-time process control.

         

We connected with experts from academia, industry, and government at NPS 19 to further discussions on how SHSD can contribute to a more sustainable future in industrial processes. Join us in exploring innovative solutions that bridge sustainable process and product technology!

It was a pleasure to see you in Groningen!

Posted on

SteamDry Project Represented at NWGD Symposium 2024

The SteamDry project participated in the NWGD Symposium on October 3, 2024, in Wageningen, Netherlands. This annual gathering, organized by the Netherlands Working Group on Drying (NWGD), is a key event for experts in dewatering and drying technology, focusing on advancements in energy-efficient drying and improved product quality.

Joanne Siccama, from Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, spoke on behalf of the SteamDry project. Her presentation, titled “Superheated Steam Drying in the Paper Industry: Opportunities and Challenges,” delved into the innovative approaches our project brings to drying processes within the paper industry. Joanne discussed the advantages of superheated steam drying, the obstacles faced, and the potential this technology holds for reducing energy consumption and improving sustainability.

The presentation slides are available here. 

The symposium featured a diverse range of presentations from industry leaders, researchers, and academics, highlighting the latest innovations in drying technologies. With a focus on networking and collaboration, participants had the opportunity to connect with peers, explore new ideas, and discuss potential projects.

Program Highlights:

  • Time: 09:00 – 21:00
  • Location: Omnia, Wageningen Campus, Wageningen
  • SteamDry Presentation:
    16:45 – Superheated Steam Drying in the Paper Industry: Opportunities and Challenges
    Presenter: Joanne Siccama

In addition to presentations, the symposium also hosted a poster & pitch session with prizes awarded to the best student contributions, making it a vibrant forum for knowledge exchange and innovation.

For those interested in learning more about the SteamDry project’s cutting-edge research and its potential to transform the drying industry, don’t miss Joanne’s presentation at 16:45.

For more information or to register, visit the official NWGD website. https://nwgd.nl/event/nwgd-symposium-2024/

 

Posted on

SteamDry: Pioneering Sustainable Drying Solutions for the Paper Industry

A European Consortium Led by VTT Introduces Superheated Steam Technology to Revolutionize Paper Production

In an ambitious endeavor funded by the European Union with 9.8M€, the SteamDry project is poised to transform the sustainability of drying processes for web-like materials such as paper, board, tissue, and nonwovens.

SteamDry focuses on developing and piloting Superheated Steam Drying technology (SSD) to drastically reduce energy consumption in the drying process. The project aims to achieve a remarkable 60% energy savings in drying, translating to approximately 40% energy savings across the entire production line. SSD also presents a pioneering concept that could pave the way for CO2 emission-free paper and board manufacturing, coupled with an increase in the use of renewable energy sources.

The long-term potential for energy savings in Europe is estimated at 127 TWh or €6 billion annually for paper and board manufacturers. Beyond the pulp and paper sectors, the technology developed in SteamDry is anticipated to find applications in the chemical industry and wood processing. The project holds the promise of boosting the market share revenue of technology suppliers by €230–345 million annually in Europe, with a global energy savings potential of 870 TWh.

Operational Flexibility

The SSD solution is adaptable for installation on existing infrastructure or new machines, offering a cost-effective solution with low capital and operating expenditures. This versatility opens new avenues for technology suppliers and provides substantial savings for end-users.

The piloting phase of SSD will contribute to enhanced knowledge in various areas, including keeping air and steam phases separate, cleaning superheated steam from biobased particles, safe operation, and the implementation of an AI-supported advanced control platform.

The SteamDry project is not merely an innovation in drying technology; it’s a transformative force poised to shape a sustainable and eco-friendly future for industries globally.

The consortium

The SteamDry project, set to unfold from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, will be orchestrated under the coordination of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. 

The kick-off meeting of the project took place from January 16 to 18, 2024, in the city of Jyväskylä, Finland. This gathering served as a pivotal moment for collaboration, setting the stage for the innovative endeavors and collaborative efforts that will define the project’s trajectory over the coming years.

The project benefits from the valuable contributions of research and technology institutes such as AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH and VDEh-Betriebsforschungs Institut GmbH from Germany. Noteworthy participation from companies includes Valmet Technologies Oy and Metsa Board Corporation from Finland, as well as Ahlstrom Oyj, Metsaliitto Osuuskunta, and Ahlstrom Specialties. Further support is provided by Sappi Maastricht in the Netherlands, Sofidel Spa in Italy, Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH from Germany, and Smurfit Kappa Paper Services BV from the Netherlands. 

Additionally, collaboration extends to universities, including Universidad de Santiago de Compostela from Spain, Universiteit Twente from the Netherlands, and Stichting Wageningen Research from the Netherlands, each playing a significant role in this collective effort. Each entity brings its specialized expertise to the table, united in the common goal of advancing sustainable drying processes for web-like materials. The communication, dissemination, and exploitation efforts within the project will be spearheaded by Fundacion Empresa Universidad Gallega, a non-profit organization based in Spain.