TheSteamDry 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 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.
We’re excited to share that the SteamDry Consortium meeting, held on June 26-27, 2024, at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna, was a great success!
To relive the highlights and see the key moments from the meeting, we invite you to watch our video summary. It captures the energy and discussions from both days, offering a concise overview of the progress and future directions of the SteamDry project.
Here are some of the key takeaways and highlights from our productive sessions:
Day 1: June 26, 2024
Welcome & Opening:
We kicked off with warm greetings from Sabrina Dusek (AIT) and our project coordinator Harri Kiiskinen (VTT).
Project Work Packages (WP) Updates:
WP1 and WP2: Harri Kiiskinen (VTT) provided updates on these management work packages.
WP3: Janne Keränen (VTT) discussed the transition pathways towards energy-efficient drying.
WP4: Sabrina Dusek and Verena Sulzgruber (AIT) shared advancements in green drying processes, focusing on moving away from fossil energy sources.
WP5: Sabrina Dusek (AIT) outlined the SSD process requirements for efficient superheating.
WP6 & WP7: Floor Boon (WR) and Edwin Zondervan (UT) addressed the prevention and removal of fibers and air from the closed superheated steam loop.
WP8: Christoph Nölle (BFI) introduced the integration of novel digital technologies.
Site Visit & Discussions:
We had a fascinating visit to the Rail Tec Arsenal Climatic Wind Tunnel, followed by discussions on piloting the SSD process, environmental and techno-economic assessments, up-scaling strategies, and business cases.
Day 2: June 27, 2024
General Assembly Meeting:
The General Assembly meeting saw active participation from members, with discussions on key topics and project direction.
Workshops & Group Sessions:
A.SPIRE: Vladiana Daniela Petarlecean provided a concise overview of A.SPIRE, the European Association overseeing the Processes4Planet partnership. A.SPIRE encompasses 20% of the European manufacturing sector and includes over 170 stakeholders across 20+ countries in sectors such as cement, chemicals, metals, and paper. Vladiana emphasized A.SPIRE’s mission to advance enabling technologies and best practices for a resource-efficient process industry, aligning closely with the goals of the SteamDry project.
IP Workshop: Teresa Sixto from FEUGA led an engaging workshop focused on intellectual property (IP) management. The workshop provided valuable guidance on navigating the complexities of IP in collaborative projects. Key topics included the patenting process, protection strategies for innovations, and commercialization avenues. Teresa’s session emphasized practical steps to safeguard our technological advancements and leverage them effectively in the market, ensuring our innovations are well-protected and strategically positioned.
Group Work: Participants engaged in a collaborative group work session to refine the SSD (Superheated Steam Drying) concept vision. This interactive session involved brainstorming and discussing various aspects of the SSD process, including technical challenges, potential applications, and strategic directions. The group’s efforts led to actionable insights and recommendations, which will be crucial in guiding the future development and deployment of the SSD technology.
Lab Tour & Closing:
The day concluded with a tour of the AIT research facilities, providing a closer look at ongoing projects and innovations. The closing session offered a summary of the meeting’s key outcomes and outlined the next steps for the SteamDry project.
Thank you to all participants for your valuable contributions and to the AIT team for hosting. The discussions and insights gained will be instrumental in driving the SteamDry project forward.
Stay tuned for more updates and detailed reports on our progress.
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.
