APPLICATION REPORT
Q-TRIM™ IN PAPER
MACHINE HEADBOX LOOPS
Overview of the process the approach flow piping to the headbox is
To meet the current demand for producing great- called short circulation. White water, which falls
er amounts of quality grade paper in the shortest through the wire into the wire pit contains fibers
possible time, modern paper machines run at and additives. Fast running machines require
even higher speeds (1500 m/min...4900 ft/min) higher headbox pressure, therefore, cavitation
than in the past. Because this requires higher may occur in the recirculation control valve.
pressures within the headbox, it is important that
pulsations or vibration caused by cavitation re- Results
sulting from high pressure drops across control Normally some 10 % of the total flow is recir-
valves be eliminated. culated through the bypass line after the inlet
header. Control of the headbox is critical and
2621/02/02 EN • 12/2011
The process seeks to eliminate any pulsations or flow velocity
The part of the process where the stock is differences across the full width of the wire.
blended with white water and pumped through
2621/02/02 EN Q - T R I M ™ I N PA P ER MACHINE HEADBOX LOOPS
Recirculation control valve To avoid the cavitation in ball and ball segment
Fast running machines require high pressure, 4 type valves Metso Automation has developed
bar (60 psi), in the inlet header and in the head- the Q-Trim. It has been used successfully in
box. To maintain the same pressure conditions in headbox recirculation systems on many paper
the front end and in the rear end of the tapered machines.
inlet header a recirculation valve is used.
The combination of holes and plates produces
As the differential over the recirculation valve re- the multi-stage pressure drop needed to prevent
mains high, cavitation can occur. Vibration can be cavitation. A few installations are listed below.
carried to the headbox and cause disturbances to
the paper quality.
Company, mill Machine Paper Speed m/min Valve type
Shotton Paper Co. PLC, PM2 News 1500 (4921 ft/min) Q-R V-port segment valve
United Kingdom
Cellulose de Stracel, PM1 News 1500 (4921 ft/min) Q-R V-port segment valveve
France
United Paper Mills, Finland
Kaipola PM7 News 1500 (4921 ft/min) QL-C2C ball valve
Rauma PM2 SC 1400 (4593 ft/min)
Oji Paper Co., Japan
Nishinan PM3 Fine ≈1000 (3280 ft/min) Q-R V-port segment valve
Yonago PM1 Fine ≈1000 (3280 ft/min)
Willamette Industries, PM1 Uncoated 1100 (3500 ft/min) Q-R V-port segment valve
Bennettsville, S.C. USA Fine
Enso Fine Papers Oy, Finland
Oulu PM6 Fine 1200 (3937 ft/min) Q-C2C ball valve
PM7 Fine 1600 (5249 ft/min) Q-R V-port segment valve
Kemi PM2 Fine Q-R V-port segment valve
PM5 LWC Q-R V-port segment valve
PM7 Fine Q-R V-port segment valve
2 APPLICATION REPORT 12/11
Q - T R I M ™ I N PAPER MACHINE HEADBOX LOOPS 2621/02/02 EN
How does the Q-Trim work? The rotary motion in rotary type of valves, such
The Q-Trim is controlling the fluid velocity: this is as the segment valve gives additional benefits of
an effective mean avoiding cavitation. The aim being able to handle a very large flow range and
of this is to get the lowest pressure in the valve pass pulp fibers through the valve.
trim above the vapour pressure for the liquid in
question. The demonstration
To demonstrate how effective the Q-Trim is in
A Q-Trim valve utilizes a combination of the fol- this application we have made two sizing calcu-
lowing effects: lations with typical process data.
❑❑ The pressure drop is taken in multiple stages,
leading to lower valve trim velocity and higher Case 1:
trim minimum pressure. Two butterfly valves installed in series (common
❑❑ Division of the flow into multiple streams in many mills)
diffuses the flow and provides acoustic
control.
❑❑ The trim outlet is designed in such way that
the flow is spread out evenly across the
downstream flow port.
Case 1:
APPLICATION REPORT 12/11 3
APPLICATION REPORT
Case 2:
One valve in use: Q-Trim R-series
Like the attached calculation data shows the two
butterfly valves (half of the pressure drop taken
by each) cause cavitation and high noise/vibra-
tion.
One Q-Trim can handle these conditions without
problems.
Case 2:
The information provided in this bulletin is advisory in nature, and is intended as a guideline only.
For specific circumstances and more detailed information, please consult with your local automation expert at Metso.
Metso Automation Inc.
Europe, Vanha Porvoontie 229, P.O. Box 304, FI-01301 VANTAA, Finland.
Tel. +358 20 483 150. Fax +358 20 483 151
North America, 44 Bowditch Drive, P.O. Box 8044, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA.
Tel. +1 508 852 0200. Fax +1 508 852 8172
South America, Av. Independéncia, 2500- Iporanga, 18087-101, Sorocaba-São Paulo
Brazil. Tel. +55 15 2102 9700. Fax +55 15 2102 9748/49
Asia Pacific, 20 Kallang Avenue, Lobby B, #06-00, PICO Creative Centre, Singapore 339411, Singapore.
Tel. +65 6511 1011. Fax +65 6250 0830
China, 19/F, the Exchange Beijing, No. 118, Jianguo Lu Yi, Chaoyang Dist, 100022 Beijing, China.
Tel. +86-10-6566-6600. Fax +86-10-6566-2575
Middle East, Roundabout 8, Unit AB-07, P.O. Box 17175, Jebel Ali Freezone, Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. Tel. +971 4 883 6974. Fax +971 4 883 6836
www.metso.com/valves
