CA1281570C - Method and apparatus for cleaning fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
There is taught a method and apparatus for the removal of foreign material and fluid from a fabric such as a press felt in a paper making machine, wherein a jet of gaseous material is directed at a surface of the felt without penetrating the felt to create a low pressure area to remove the fluid and foreign material within the fabric.

Description

~81~70 This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing foreign material and fluid from a permeable fabric.
In the pulp and paper i.ndustry, the cleaning of paper-making felts and in particular press felts, has always been important for the efficient operation of paper machines. As the speed of the machines has increased over the years and with the increasing costs of the factors of production such as energy, it has become imperative that more efficient ways to clean, condition and dewater the felts used in the press section of the paper machine be :Eound.
Presently, two methods are emp].oyed for the cleaning of the felts, both methods working in conjunction with water showers which spray water on the felts to loosen any material therein. In the :E.irst method, the felt is passed over a stationary sucti.on box at which ~ime the loosened dirt and water is sucked out o:E the Eelt.
In a second method, the :Eelt is p~ssed th.rough a ringer or squeeze press; the rolls comprising the press or ringer may or may not have a suction box incorporated therein.
In the method utilizing the stationary suction box, the felt is essentially dragged across the face of the box and due to the friction involved, a fair amount of energy is consumed by the motors which drive the felts and more energy is also consumed to provide the necessary vacuum.

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~ ' As will be appreciated, the wear on the felt and suction box covers is also substantial. The method utilizing the ringer or squeeze press is more energy efficient due to the rotating aspect of the press/suction rolls; however, the equipment required is more elaborate and expensive and the pressing action has been known to decrease the effectiveness of the felt.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for the removal of foreign material and fluid from a permeable fabric which is both relatively efficient and does not require a high energy expenditure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for a felt dewatering and conditioning system for the pulp and paper industry which will efficiently remove foreign material and water and therefore ]ead to dryer paper leaving ~he press section of the paper macll;nc which in turn will reduce the cncrgy rcquired to furtller dry the paper.
According to one aspect of the present invelltion, there is provided a method of removing a fluid from a permeable fabric which includes the steps of directing a jet of a gaseous material at the fabric and controlling the velocity of the gaseous material such that it does not penetrate the fabric while creating an area of low pressure 8~570 sufficient to remove at least a portion of the fluid within the fabric.
There is also provided an apparatus for removing fluid from a fluid containing permeable fabric comprising means to support the fabric in a desired position, gas supply means, jet means which are connected to the gas supply means and which are operative to direct a jet of pressurized gas at the fabric, and control means for controlling the velocity of the gas jet such -that a substantial portion of the gaseous material does not penetrate the permeable fabric wllile creating an area of low pressure which is sufficient to remove at least a portion of the fluid from within the fabric.
In greater detail, the method and apparatus of the present invention are intended for llse with a fluid containing Eabric wherein it is desirable to remove at least a portion of the fluid from the fabric. The types of fabric with which t:he prcsetlt :invelltion can bc used are nunierous; all:houcJh one oE the prime applications is considered to be in the dcwatering/conditioning of felt used in paper-making, other permeable fabrics may also have a desired material removed utilizing the method and apparatus of the invention. It suffices to say that the fabric is permeable and has a certain porosity in order that it contain the fluid which is to be removed. Similarly, although the invention may primarily find use in removal ~8~570 of a liquid from a liquid containing fabric, it may be desirable to remove a gaseous material from a fabric utilizing the present invention. Commercial possibilities are numerous including operations such as the dry cleaning of fabrics.
The present invention operates by directing a jet of gas at an angle to a supported fabric such that the gas impinges on the fabric and creates a zone of low pressure whereby the fluid/material will flow out of the fabric on at least one side of the jet. The term "low pressure" refers to a pressure which is less than the pressure existing within the fabric; this normal pressure will usually be atmospheric pressure.
In -the practice of the present invention, the velocity of the jet of gaseous material is adjusted such that it does not flow through the Eabric to escape on the other side; instead the major portion oE the gas does not flow through but rather creates the dc?sired eEEect by not passing through t:o the opposite side oE the fabric.
Naturally, the particular velocity employed in any particular situation will depend upon the porosity of the fabric, the loading of the fabric, the gaseous material, and other known factors. Further factors which have a relationship will be the distance between the gas jet (nozzle) and the fabric;
the width of the gas jet, the velocity of the gaseous material, ~81~70 the location of that part of the surface of the fabric under the influence of the gaseous material, the velocity at which the fabric and air jet may be moving with respect to each other, etc.
The gas employed may be any which is suitable for the particular application. In many applications, and in particular where one is concerned with the conditioning of felts as employed in the paper-making industry, air is a suitable material.
The nozzle of the gas jet may take on many different configurations and indeed, the nozzle may merely comprise a slit which has been cut in a section of pipe.
A plurali-ty of nozzles may be employed to cover the entire width of the fabric. As aforementioned, one simple embodi-ment will utilize a pipe in which a plurali-ty of slits or one long slit have been cut to cover the entire width of the felt. Gas may be fed to the pipe from one or both ends or at`intervals so as to minimize any press~rc drop.
In Llle pulp al~d l~aper ;lldustry, the felt has a liquid sprayed onto the felt which assists in loosening foreiyn material therein. Subsequently, the gas is directed at the felt to remove the fluid and foreign material contained therein.
It has been found the removal of the foreign material is extremely efficient with the practice of the present invention and thus leads to a felt having a better performance.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof and in which:-FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a dewatering arrangement;
FIGURE 2 is a detail view of one embodiment of a nozzle;
FIGURE 3 is a detail view of a portion of the dewatering arrangement of Figure l;
FIGURE 4 is a graph illustra-ting relationships between the distance of the nozzle from the fabric and the pressure at the fabric surface;
FIGURF. 5 illustrates the relationship between the pressure and its effect on a particular segment of the fabric;
FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view o:E a nozzle arrangement; and ~ FIGURE 7 is a slde elevatiollal view of an arrange-men-t l:o support the nozzle and corltain the mo;sture removed from the fabric.
Figure 1 is an elcva-tional view oE an arrangement involved in applying the present invention to the removal of foreign material/fluid from a fabric and in particular, to the conditioning of a wet press felt on a paper machine.
There are many overall wet press arrangemnts; Figure 1 illustrates a small section of the overall system to show 1~:81570 where the present invention can be fitted in. As shown, a descending section of the felt run may be chosen as this may be more convenient for collecting and disposing of the water extracted by the device; design considerations may, however, make a horlzontal run more feasible.
Referring to Figure 1, a portion of a wet press felt run is illustrated. A pair of felt guide rolls 10 and 12 are provided, felt guide rolls 10 and 12 being journalled on suitable supports (not shown) and rotating as shown by arrows 14 and 16 respectively. A shower pipe 18 is provided, shower pipe 18 being connected to a source (not shown) of water or other suitable fluid for spraying the felt to loosen any clogging foreign material. Reference numeral 20 generally designates a slotted air-jet nozzle or blow pipe as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow; a -tray 22 is provided to catch the water extracted from the Eelt and thrown aside by the air jet. The wet press ~elt 24 is advanced in khe direction ;nd;cated by arrows 26 over felt guide rolls 10 and 12.
Figure 2 illustrates lhe blow nozzle 20 in more detail. Referring to Figure 2, nozzle 20 is a section of pipe in which a narrow slit 28 has been made; the length of the slit is approximately the width of the wet felt and the width of the slit will depend on several factors which will be discussed below. A connection 30 is provided to which a gas supply is attached; depending on the length 5'7C) and diameter of the pipe, it may be desirable to feed air into the pipe from both ends (as well as at intermediate points) so as to minimize any pressure drop and an uneven air jet; alternatively or in conjunction with this, the pipe may be tapered. A series of circular clamps 32 are provided which, if necessary, can be used to adjust the local width of the air slot and so maintain an even longitu-dinal velocity profile for the air jet as it passes through slot 28 (this adjustment can be made by a small set screw 34 set in the wall of the clamp with the end of screw 34 bearing against the outside wall of the pipe).
Figure 3 illustrates some of the parameters to be considered and the relationships between them and the pressure or vacuum developed at the surface of the fabric where the jet impinges. Figure 4 shows the relationship between the distance D and the air pressure condition at the surface of l:he fabric where the jet impinges. Figure 5 shows the relationship between the d.istance L ~nd the air pressures at that pOi.llt.
~s seen in Figure 3, W ;s the width of the slot through which the air passes to form the air jet having a velocity J whose energy source is the pressure P of the air in the pipe nozzle. The distance of slot or jet exit from the fabric is designated by D, and L is the location or distance of that part of the surface of the fabric under the influence of the air jet which is being examined; the fabric is moving relative to jet 20 at a velocity S.

The relationship shown in Figure 4 does not give any absolute values as these will vary with the jet velocity J (and -to some extent the geome-try of the jet) and the location of the surface being examined i.e., the distance L from the center of the slit or the jet to that part of the surface of the fabric being examined;
l~owever, it clearly shows that for a given J there is a specific D where the pressure V in terms of vacuum is maximum and it is at this point where maximum efficiency is achieved. In yeneral the value of D for optimum V will change very li-ttle as J is varied. It is not necessary to locate and maintain the jet exit at this specific value of D, fox as long as the jet is in the vicinity of this value and the felt is free to move slightly, the felt will automatically position itself at the specific distance as the forces of pressure and vacuum balance each other out.
The value of D for optimum vacuum is usually in the order of 2 mm. (0.079") or less.
At this speciEic D ~ox maximum V, applicant Eound that V varled as L challyed. In fact, Eor the orientation shown in Figure 3 where the air jet is at right angles to the surface, directly at -the jet there will be a pressure zone, and on either side of this there will be a vacuum zone of equally decreasing intensity as the value of L increases; this is shown in Figure 5. As illustrated, the magnitude of the vacuum peak will be 1~81570 roughly in the order of one-half the pressure peak;
and the pressure peak will be close to P the pressure in the pipe. The vacuum peak will occur when L is approximately

2.5 mm. In some cases it will be found preferable to operate the jet at right angles to the fabrics; however, for other cases, it might be desirable to operate the jet at various angles to the fabric. For example, where the fabric is moving past the air jet at a relatively high velocity it was found desirable to turn the jet slightly towards the oncoming felt (i.e. angled the jet against the felt travel);
this tended to increase the suction effect.
Generally, the higher the value of J the higher the value of V; and since V is much more sensitive to J
than to the volume of air involved, it thereEore is generally more desirable economically to operate the air jet with a lower rather than a higher volume of air and to obtain the high velocities ret~ulxed for op-timum V by using narrow slits in the blow nozzle. Whi.le t:hcre is soJne practlcal relat]on-shlp belween tlle vel.ocity oE tlle fabric S and the jet velocity J it is only signiEicallt when S is fairly large;
that is, while the vacuum in the vicinity of the fabric surface is independent of the velocity of the fabric, it is obvious that if fabric is moving very quickly the vacuum condition will have little time to have any effect on the fabric and to extract the water embedded in the pores of the fabric. The relationship between P the pressure of air in ~'~81S70 the pipe and J is of course a fixed one, being influenced only by the co-efficient of veloclty (which varies with -the type of orifice and other conditions of operation).
As can be seen from the above discussion, the values that can be assigned to the above parameters will depend on the use of the invention and the economics involved. As mentioned above the fabric or felt will automatically position itself the required distance from the jet. Nevertheless, to prevent gross vibration or flapping of the felt, guide roll 10 (Figure 1) which is normally not present ln conventional felt runs, will avoid problems of that sort; lf necessary under certain conditions, fur-ther guide rolls can be added.
Another improtant element of the invention that has a bearing on the efficiency of its operation, is the area/surface/volume jus-t under the gas jet. as it rebounds from the fabric and begins ~o flow parallel to it. One could, for example, visua].i~e a jet issuinc3 From a nozzle buried in a Elat surEace over which the fabric is passlng;
such an arrallgement has gellexally not been Eound satis-factory depending on the width of the flat surface. This is partially because the mixture of gas and fluid (extracted from the fabric), in order to escape, has to pass through the thin volume delineated by the fabric and the flat surface of the nozzle ( the height of this volume being substantially constant at 2 mm.). A curved surface has been found to be very satisfactory as it allows the gas (air) ~i~81570 to break away Erom the fabric and follow the curved surface.
An optimum shape for this surface will depend on such variables as jet veloci-ty, volume, etc. From a constructlon point of view, a circular curvature is very satisfactory as an ordinary pipe can be used for the blow nozzle.
Following the same reasoning, a smaller diameter pipe nozzle is preferable to a larger one; therefore to keep the diameter as small as possible and to minimize the pressure drop of the gas flowing in the pipe it is preferable to feed gas into the pipe from several inlets where necessary. At the other extreme one could use a nozzle where the sides of an elongated orifice would be vertical and s-traight, i.e., perpendicular -to the fabric; for intermediary designs the sides would be s-traight and tapered at some chosen angle to the surface of the fabric.
In applications invo]ving -the conditloning of wet press felts as shown in Figure l, the following was observed after the blow nozzle 20 was properly posit;oned and the air jet 20 and water spray jet ]8 were operated; the water shower jet tended to penetrate the felt, loosen the foreign material therein, and saturate the felt surface with water, the air jet in turn sucked from the felt substantial quantities of water (and foreign material) and this was followed by the blow stage action of the jet which in turn was followed by a second sucking action (see Figure 5).

~81~70 All this resulted in the water (and foreign material) in the form of a heavy spray being flung away from the felt surface to be collected in tray 22 and carried away.
This rapid and sudden vacuum, and blow and vacuum action of the air jet as it split into two streams (in comparison to the single suction action of a conventional vacuum suction box) tended to leave the felt surface in more absorptive condition for removing water from the paper in the wet presses. The felt surface hairs, for example, showed a marked tendency to stand out rather than to lie flat and matted. One substantial advantage of the device is in the substantial drop in energy required to produce this cleaning and conditioning action; for example a 100" wide felt condition of the conventional vacuum type drawing 10" of Hg at 2000 cfm would require approximately 100 E~P, whereas the present blow nozzle would perform the same operation for substantially lcss energy expcnditure. In addition, since th~ :Eelt is ridi.ng on a cush;on o:E ai.r, .little or no energy is used in mov;.ng tlle fe.lt throu~h the suction zone, whereas, much friction .is present and cnergy used up in carrying the felt over a conventional suction box. Also since there is no contact with any solid surfaces, there is li-ttle chance for any pitch on the felt surface to be smeared to be smeared across and into the surface of the felt, decreasing its water absorption properties.

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~1570 Figure 2 illustrates a construction of the blow nozzle where a slit was made in a pipe in its longi-tudinal direction. Since this could be a difficult operation in a long blow pipe, and also where the slit might vibrate and operate as a reed, Figure 6 illustrates a further method of construction where a cross-sectional view of a blow nozzle is shown. A section of pipe 36 has a rought slot 38 cut therein, the width of which is several times wider than the final width of the jet orifice and at least as long; this area of the pipe nozzle then acts as a support for two strips of material 40 which lie on the outside surface of the pipe nozzle to define the jet orifice 42. These strips may be made out of any convenient material preferably, that which will define a uniform and sharp orifice as well as be wear resistant should any erosive material be dragged across the orifice by the felt, e.g., high density polyethylene; stainless steel. These orifice strips may be preEormed to fit the curvature of the pipe or be flexible enouc3h to conEorm; -they may be attached by sets of counter-sunk screws 44 to pipe 36; by using slotted holes for the screws these strips could be made adjustable.
In situations where the jet orifice 42 will be long, it may be necessary to stabilize the jet width and the mechanical integrity of the pipe by using tension rods 46 running across the pipe at suitable intervals along its length. Threads and nuts (gaskets) 48 could be provided at the ends so the tension (and orifice profile) could be adjusted. For the overall support of the blow nozzle ~8~570 and to keep it straight and true, various techniques are possible and known in the art. One particular method is described below in regard to providing a spray/mist collec-ting device. For certain si-tuations, such as to provide forslot non-uniformity, it may even be desirable to arrange for the blow nozzle to oscillate back and forth under the felt in the transverse direction.
It was also found that at high jet velocities, the water removed from the felt tended to turn into a very fine mist which in cer-tain applications might be found to be undesirable should it be allowed to permeate the area.
Figure 7 illus-trates an apparatus to contain this mist and spray and in addition provide a method of supporting the pipe and adjusting it so that it will remain level for its full length. This is, of course, a very important feature for a long blow pipe which would tend to sage if supported only at the two ends. While independent supports along its legnth may be possible in certain applic~tions, it is generally preEerable to provide one having rigid cross-sectional characteristics.
Referring to Figure 7, 36 is a blow nozzle (the details of which are illustrated in Figure 6) and 52 is a trough-like container to keep the mist and spray from permeating the area. Retaining bracket(s) 54 are spaced at suitable intervals along the length of container 52 to give further rigidity to container 52. Rods 56 are screw-threadedly engaged with brackets 54 while a pair of nuts, screw-threadedly engaged with an opposite end of rod 56 in conjunction with bracket 58, adds rigidity and support to blow nozzle 36. Small diameter rods or pipes 62 are provided over which the fabric will run the tops of which will be essentially level with the top of nozzle 36. Other sealing shapes/surface can be used;
however, since there can be contact with the fabric any sharp edges that may touch the fabric should be avoided.
The trough will be sealed at both ends using conventlonal techn.iques and may be subjected to either a slight gas pressure or a slight vacuum depending on -the situation.
As was mentioned, since it is generally desirable to keep the diameter of nozzle 36 on the small side, if nozzle 36 is sufficiently long to incur serious pressure drop losses, the lower part of the trough can be used or a larger diameter gas supply line (or seri.es of l.;.nes) wi.th which to furnish nozzle 36 with the requi..red gas. To avoid too much mist leak.ing past the various scaling areas the mist in the trough can be continuously removed with an inexpensive fan exhauster; liquid in the bottom of the trough can be removed through a suitable trap. Where practical, after de-misting, the gas (air) can be recycled to the pipe nozzle through a blower which will maintain the required pressure in the nozzle. The following is an example of the above-described embodiments to a paper-making wet felt.

1~8~570 A pipe nozzle approximately 16 inches long similar to the one illustrated in Figure 2 was used.
The air pressure was kept at 15 psig and this corresponds to an air-jet velocity (J) of approximately 1360 fps. The width of the orifice slot (I~) was 0.010 inches. (See Figure 3).
D was 2 mm (.079 inch).
The invention was placed against a conventional paper-making wet felt after it had been subjected to the action of a conventional felt conditioner (of the stationary suction box type) installed on a modern newsprint machine.
By measuring the moisture in the felt before and after i-ts passage over the orifice slot of the present invention it was found that the apparatus had removed between 10-20 grams of water per square meter and since no attempt had lS yet been made to optimize its operation, it was evident that the dewatering efficiency of the present invention was greater than that representing prior art equipment. Moreover, the cleanliness oE the felt has a great eEFect (for a given Eelt) on a sheet dryness. Conscuqently, in the above test, samples of the water extracted from the felt were tested for % solids and for -the nature of the material extracted. These tests showed the ~ solids to be 0.65 and the material to be mainly groundwood and sulphite pulp debris and fines with traces of felt hairs. Thus the cleaning efficiency of the present invention was also found to be greater than that of prior art equipment.

~'~8~570 It is also obvious from the present disclosure that for the invention to work the gas jet or at least a substantial portion of the gas should not be able to flow throuyh the fabric to escape on the opposite side.
Thus, to accommodate the porosity of the fabric one merely has reduced the jet velocity to a point where it does not flow through, but still has sufficient energy to create the desired vacuum/sucking effect. A further embodiment of the invention could involve a combination of a straight bIowing operation on one side of the fabric along with the present invention on the other side - i.e., the controlled low pressure wouid be used on one side of the fabric and simultaneously a jet of gas would be allowed to impinge on the other side of the fabric directly opposite the gas jet of the present invention and penetrate the fabric, so that by_controlling the force (and location) of the two jets, one jet (that opposite the one that will create a low pressure) would urge the fluid to the other side where the low pressure effect would complete the extraction of the Eluid and convert it into a spray/mist.
Similarly, if the fabric is fairly thick gas jets of the present invention could be used to create a low pressure effect on both sides of the fabric at the same time.
Because of the relatively high dewater/cleaning efficiency of the present invention, it may not be 1~815~0 necessary to opera-te -the device continuously. Thus in the case of a full felt width nozzle the effect may be used intermittently on some optimum cycle. Alternatively, a short nozzle could be made to scan or travel across the width of the felt inside a collecting pipe at some optlmum speed/cycle or the slot itself could be full width and a short section of the air jet itself could be made to scan the felt. Since the use of one long slit weakens the pipe (nozzle), a plurality of slits (i.e. with a stiffening space between slits) can be used and the pipe can be made to oscillate/travel transversely back and forth sufficiently so that the travel will allow the jet to cover the fabric under the unslit-ted space. Besides dewatering/cleaning wet felt fabrics on a paper machine, one could also utilize the invention to clean wet end wire fabrics also ut;lized on paper machines thereby replacing messy high pressure oscillating needles or fan showers. Other applications include wire abrics on twin wire Eormers and the cleaning of drier Eelts. It will be unders~ood that the above described embodiments are or purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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Claims (22)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of removing a fluid from a fluid-containing permeable fabric comprising the steps of supporting said fabric, directing a jet of gaseous material at a surface of said fabric, and controlling the velocity of said gaseous material such that a major portion of said gaseous material does not pass through the permeable fabric, said jet of gaseous material creating an area of low pressure adjacent to the fabric surface and on the same fabric surface at which said gaseous material is directed to remove at least a portion of the fluid within the fabric from said same fabric surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of supporting said fabric comprises the step of supporting the fabric at points on either side of said jet of gaseous material while allowing said fabric freedom of movement where said jet of gaseous material is directed thereon.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said fabric is sheet material having a pair of opposed major planar faces.

4. The method of claim 3 including the step of directing a jet of gaseous material at both of said major planar faces.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said fabric and said jet of gaseous material are moving relative to one another.

6. A method of removing moisture and solids from a paper machine press section felt comprising the step of supporting said felt, spraying a liquid on said felt, directing a jet of gaseous material on said felt, and controlling the velocity of said gaseous material such that the major portion of said gaseous material does not penetrate through said felt thereby creating an area of low pressure adjacent to the surface of said felt at which said gaseous material is directed to remove at least a portion of the liquid and solids contained within said felt from said surface where said gaseous material is directed.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said felt is supported on either side of said jet of gaseous material while being free to move closer or further from said jet, said jet being spaced from said felt at a distance of about 2 mm.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said felt is moving relative to said gaseous material.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said jet of gaseous material is angled slightly from the perpendicular at a major planar surface of said felt.

10. In an apparatus for removing a fluid from a fluid-containing permeable fabric having first and second opposed major planar surfaces, and wherein said fabric is supported, the improvement comprising means for supporting said fabric, gas supply means, control means adapted to regulate gas velocity from said gas supply means, nozzle means directed at said first major planar surface, said nozzle means being spaced slightly from the fluid containing permeable fabric to thereby create a low pressure area adjacent to said nozzle means, and collection means for receiving said fluid, said collection means being located on the first major planar surface side of the fabric.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said nozzle means are spaced 2 millimeters or less from said first major planar surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said nozzle is shaped so as to allow the gas and any fluid removed from said fabric to escape freely.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further including water jet spray means.

14. In a paper machine having a press section wherein a continuous felt is utilized to remove water from the paper, the improvement comprising an apparatus for removing water and solids from said felt, said apparatus being as defined in claim 10.

15. A method of removing a fluid from a fluid containing permeable fabric having opposed major surfaces, one of -the major surfaces having been in contact with a paper web for dewatering of the web, the method comprising the steps of supporting said fabric, directing a jet of gaseous material at said one major surface having been in contact with -the paper web, and controlling -the velocity of said gaseous material in response to at least the porosity of the fabric and loading of the fabric and distance between -the source of jet of gaseous material with respect to the fabric, such -that a major portion of said gaseous material does not pass through the permeable fabric and said jet of gaseous material creates an area of low pressure adjacent to and on the same fabric surface at which said gaseous material is directed, thereby causing the removal of a portion of the fluid within the fabric from the same side of said fabric at which said gaseous material is directed.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of supporting said fabric comprises the step of supporting the fabric at points on either side of said jet of gaseous material while allowing said fabric freedom of movement where said jet of gaseous material is directed thereon.

17. The method of claim 16 including the step of directing a jet of gaseous material at both of said major surfaces.

18. The method of claim 1.5 wherein the fabric and said jet of gaseous material are moving relative to one another.

19. A method of removing moisture and solids from a paper machine press section felt which has opposed major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces having been in contact with a paper web for dewatering of the web, said method comprising the steps of supporting said felt, spraying a liquid on said one major surface of said felt having been in contact with said paper web, directing a jet of gaseous material at said one major surface of said felt having been in contact with said paper web, and controlling the velocity of said gaseous material in response to at least the porosity of the fabric and loading of the fabric and distance between the source of jet of gaseous material with respect to the fabric, such that the major portion of said gaseous material does not penetrate through said felt and creates an area of low pressure adjacent said jet and removes at least a portion of the liquid arid solids contained within said felt from the same side of said felt at which said gaseous material is directed.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said felt is supported on either side of said jet of gaseous material while being free to move closer or further from said jet, said jet being spaced from said felt at a distance of about 2 mm.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said felt is moving relative to said gaseous material.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said jet of gaseous material is angled slightly from the perpendicular at a major planar surface of said felt.