Method and apparatus for removing water from a capillary cylinder in a papermaking process

A method for removing water from a wet porous web, the method comprising the steps of:

• rotating a roll about an axis of rotation, the roll comprising an outer circumferential surface comprising a capillary porous media, wherein the capillary porous media comprises a first surface and a second surface positioned radially inward of the first surface;
• advancing the web with an air-permeable fabric onto the roll, wherein the web is positioned between the capillary porous media and the air-permeable fabric;
• providing an ultrasonic horn;
• contacting the air-permeable fabric or the outer circumferential surface with the ultrasonic horn;
• and
• vibrating the capillary porous media with the ultrasonic horn to transfer water from the web through the first surface and radially inward toward the second surface.

An apparatus for removing water from a wet porous web, the apparatus comprising:

• a roll adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the roll comprising an outer circumferential surface comprising a capillary porous media, wherein the capillary porous media comprises a first surface and a second surface positioned radially inward of the first surface;
• an air-permeable fabric adapted to advance the web onto the roll, wherein the web is positioned between the capillary porous media and the air-permeable fabric;
• and
• an ultrasonic horn in contact with the air-permeable fabric.