Staff

In my column last week, asked, “What TECHNICAL barriers do you see to the Vertical Paper Machine?"

Here are the responses:

> Steam Plant and Utilities. Not especially technical, but drips, leaks, and dust management in a vertical environment (dripping onto the elevators, for example). Maybe we'll finally get a paper mill on Peachtree Street in Atlanta!

> The idea is so radical, it should not be dismissed without further development. The biggest barrier will likely be breaking the paradigm that says paper machines must be horizontal.

> It sounds as if you've assumed that the machine flow will be top/down; what about bottom/up? This way the water loops, broke loops, and most heavy components will be lower in the arrangement. Plus, as the web dries it becomes stronger and could support itself more completely. This might be advantageous if the drying section was 'air-float' or something similar.

You may take this week's quiz here.

Want to get a jump on the surveys? Follow me on twitter, where they are posted early. You can do this here. (note: all respondents are confidential; the software is programmed in such a way that neither we nor anyone else can determine who responded)

###

Want to be heard on other subjects? Be sure to watch for "Paperitalo Second Tuesday Surveys."