PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL OraStream™ automatic vacuum valves: advanced control for effective and stable sheet formation. Sara Giunchi, Communications & Marketing Manager, Oradoc S.r.l.

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Image 5: OraStream valves on display.
Image 6: New Duo昀氀ow separators downstream of the dandy roll.
What were the key technical reasons for selecting Oradoc’s
OraStream™ solution over alternative technologies?
Cartiere di Guarcino evaluated several technological options
before selecting Oradoc’s OraStream™ automatic vacuum valves.
The decision was driven by the simplicity and robustness of the
design, which minimizes internal wear points and reduces the risk of
clogging. The valves offer high rangeability and precise modulation,
allowing operators to maintain stable vacuum levels even during
rapid grade changes. Their fast response and high resolution
provided the level of control required for decor paper production,
while their full mechanical compatibility ensured a smooth
installation without modi昀椀cations to the existing layout.
Which measurable improvements have been observed in terms
of sheet formation, drainage ef昀椀ciency, vacuum stability or
energy consumption?
The 昀椀rst installation involved four OraStream™
valves on the DuoFlow boxes of PM1. The impact was
immediate: vacuum levels stabilized, drainage became
more uniform and sheet formation improved across the
entire basis weight range. Operators reported a marked
increase in process predictability, with the machine
responding more consistently to setpoint changes and
varying conditions. The clogging issues that had affected
the previous valves disappeared entirely and maintenance
needs dropped signi昀椀cantly. The improved control also
enhanced operational 昀氀exibility, allowing the mill to
switch between lightweight print base papers and heavier
underlays with greater con昀椀dence.
Considering the positive outcome, are there plans to
extend the OraStream™ installation to other vacuum
circuits or machine sections?
Encouraged by these results, we are now
evaluating the extension of OraStream™ technology to
the high vacuum section of PM1. The goal is to replicate
the stability achieved in the low vacuum area and further
optimize dryness, energy consumption and downstream
performance.
The success of the 昀椀rst installation has demonstrated
that precise vacuum control is not only a technical upgrade but a
strategic enabler for consistent quality in one of the most demanding
segments of the paper industry.
The results achieved at Cartiere di Guarcino con昀椀rm the
technical effectiveness of OraStream™ in stabilizing vacuum
pro昀椀les, improving early stage drainage and enhancing sheet
formation quality. By eliminating sticking and reducing maintenance
frequency, the system has increased overall process reliability
and machine uptime. With the evaluation of further installations
already underway, OraStream™ has proven to be a robust and
scalable solution for advanced vacuum control in high performance
papermaking.
Image 7: New Duo昀氀ow separators downstream
of the dandy roll.
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