Combining Customer Requirements and Modularity in Complete Tap Water Solution

This thesis studies forming a complete solution concept for tap water systems in project business environment. The aim of the study is to find tools and means for the target company to determine the scope of their tap water solution offering and to research what kind of organizational capabilities and resources are needed to supply such system solutions. With the help of literature, the characteristics of systems selling and project business and thematics of systems integration and integrated solutions are examined, and the significance of modularity and customer requirements in the given operational environment is discussed. After this, a checklist tool for customer requirements management is developed for the tap water system along with a module allocation method. The study proposes that with the checklist and module allocation the technical specifications can be extensively and innovatively defined for the system. The tools developed are a part of a complete tap water solution concept, which suggests that integrated solutions might constitute possibilities for the company to outperform its competitors when the traditional business methods of the industry are becoming obsolete.

Enhancement of water removal in the press section

The effectiveness of water removal on press section is very important for a paper and board machine’s functioning, efficiency and economy. Today, the most effective method for wet pressing is shoe press technology. Metso has carried out a number of studies concerning anew type of water removal method for a press section, which has also been patented. These studies include rough sketches and some test runs. These issues form the basis of this thesis. The objective of this work was to gather together information for a new and enhanced waterremoval method for a press section by studying the functioning of the device andcarrying out test runs. This method is referred to here as Hydronip. The main goal was tobuild a functional test site which fulfills all the necessary requirements and has all thenecessary information gathering devices. The design process was carried out by emphasizing the safety aspects. The goal was also to gather together information about the nip structure in running conditions, the seal function, and to carry out the nip tests with paper or board wads. This thesis consists of a theory part, the design and construction of the test site, and carrying out test runs through information gathering. The theory part consists of the principals of water removal from a press section, Hydronip construction, and the requirements for the test place. The safety aspects were taken into account especially in test runs, but also in the assembly stages. The design and construction of the test site includes the selection of equipment and surroundings that are needed for managing the test runs in the best possible way at certain premises. The test site included the equipment that was already on the premises. Some equipment could be used as it was but some equipment had to be manufactured or modified from existing equipment. A functional test site with information gathering devices was accomplished as a result of thethesis. Test runs demonstrated that the Hydronip concept is, at least on a small scale,functional. Short-term tests for seal functioning showed that the seal can be lubricatedsufficiently under different kinds of nip load situations. Wad tests demonstrated that the metal belt is durable against different sizes of external particles. The seal also endured wad tests even though the pressure impacts impaired the lubrication. MTS tests showing dry content increases, combined with a rough cost calculation and the basic function of the machine in test runs, show that with some further study Hydronip could be a promising new product for water removal from a paper or board machine’s press section.

International Advanced Water Technologies Centre, IAWTC/LADEC and LUT 2013 : Questionnaire Responses from Russian Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants

In this report, information is published concerning Russian water and wastewater treatment plants. The information is based on a questionnaire sent to 70 water and wastewater treatment plants in 2012-2013. The questionnaire was prepared by the International Advanced Water Technologies Centre (IAWTC) and Lahti Development Company (LADEC). The questions dealt with an assessment of the present state, the need for changes, renovation, investments, and how to improve the efficiency of the operation by training and investments. A significant need to renew the old pipelines, constructions, and processes was clearly evident. The aggregated answers can be utilized in Russia as internal benchmarking in order to arrange training and plant visits, which were requested in many of the answers. Sharing this open report with the respondents can aid networking and awareness of HELCOM requirements which relate to waste water treatment plants discharging their waste water directly or indirectly into the Baltic Sea. The aim of this report is to provide information for Finnish small and medium size companies (SMEs) as regards possible water related exportation to different parts of Russia.