Master´s thesis/Working student (m/f/d) Mechanical engineering, paper technology: Development of a Web Transport Test Rig for Convective Hot Air Drying

Topic: Development of a Web Transport Test Rig for Convective Hot Air Drying

Your mission is to design and potentially build up a test rig for studying the transport behavior of a moist paper web, focusing on convective hot air drying instead of multi-cylinder drying. Conventional drying in paper machines relies on steam-heated drying cylinders, where fabrics stabilize the paper web at velocities > 1000 m/min. During your mission, you will face the following challenges:

For convective hot air drying, maximizing the free surface area of the web is essential for efficient heat transfer.
A key challenge is ensuring the stable, reproducible positioning and conveying of a moist paper web with low tensile strength.
Transverse deflections can lead to longitudinal stresses and tearing of the paper web. Therefore, the web tension and dynamic pressure conditions should be taken into account for the test rig design.

You will closely collaborate with experienced professionals in an interdisciplinary and collaborative working environment between science and industry in the paper sector.

Your mission

Your tasks

Minimum goal: Development of a concept for the web transport test rig.
- Investigation of tension control strategies to prevent deflections and ensure reproducibility.
- Collaboration with the PTS – Institut für Fasern & Papier gGmbH to adapt the test rig concept to the requirements of convective hot air drying.
Additional tasks depending on the complexity of the concept:
- Procurement of components and construction of the test rig.
- Execution of experiments and analysis to validate the functionality of the test setup.

Registered master’s student in mechanical engineering, paper technology, or a related field.
Hands-on experience with experimental setups and control systems is beneficial.
Independent, structured working style with a passion for applied research.

Your profile

What we offer

Working student contract with flexible duration
Collaborate with an innovative and dynamic team in an excellent working atmosphere, including freedom for your own creativity
Expand your network within the fields of science and the paper industry
Open and constructive feedback culture
Direct integration into our daily scientific operations and excellent support due to proximity to the team
Opportunity to participate in regular team and company events
Networking events for exchanging ideas, projects, and interests

Location

The Modellfabrik Papier will be built on the site of the Innovation Quarter at the Düren train station. Until the completion of our new building in early 2025, our activities will take place at the Jülich Research Center. Further office space is currently located in the CO_SPACE.DN.

Application documents to be submitted

Meaningful cover letter
Curriculum vitae
References
Desired/possible starting date
Salary expectation

We are looking forward to your application!
Please send your complete documents by e-mail to:

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone:

Further information

We look forward to receiving your application

Your contact person:

Peter Bekaert

CEO

E-mail:

Office time: