Vacuum in Action: How Dekker Supports Mission-Critical Applications in Pulp & Paper, Plastics, and Chemical Processing
Brought to you by Industrial Air Services – Trusted Dekker Vacuum Partner in Nashville, Knoxville & Chattanooga. Call (615) 641-3100 for expert support and custom solutions.
In industrial manufacturing, vacuum systems don’t just support production—they drive it. From removing water in pulp & paper mills to degassing plastics and recovering solvents in chemical plants, reliable vacuum is the heartbeat of efficiency and uptime. When these systems fail or underperform, the ripple effects can disrupt entire operations.
That’s why more facilities are turning to Dekker Vacuum Technologies—a brand known for rugged reliability, engineering precision, and tailored system design. Through its comprehensive product range and commitment to custom solutions, Dekker plays a critical role in some of the most demanding industries in the world.
As a certified Dekker partner, Industrial Air Services delivers local service and application support across Tennessee. Let’s explore how Dekker vacuum systems support mission-critical operations in pulp & paper, plastics, and chemical processing.
Pulp & Paper: Dewatering, Press Support & Couch Roll Efficiency
In pulp and paper manufacturing, vacuum is essential from sheet formation through drying. Whether in the forming section or press section, vacuum systems remove water, support fiber transfer, and reduce energy load downstream.
Common vacuum applications in pulp & paper include:
Couch roll dewatering
Suction box operation
Felt conditioning
Vacuum press support
Transfer roll and turning suction
Challenges in this environment:
Large flow volumes (often thousands of CFM)
Saturated, dirty gas streams
Continuous duty cycles
System sensitivity to pressure fluctuations
Dekker’s solution: Dekker’s Maxima and Vmax series liquid ring vacuum pumps are ideal for this rugged, 24/7 environment. They are engineered to handle large water vapor loads without overheating or fouling and are available in stainless steel or special alloy options for corrosive pulp liquors.
Industrial Air Services helps paper facilities size and design these systems for multiple paper machine sections—offering energy optimization, noise control, and preventive maintenance programs that maximize uptime.
Plastics: Degassing, Thermoforming & Extrusion Support
The plastics industry relies on vacuum for product quality and process efficiency. Whether you’re extruding PVC pipe, vacuum-forming packaging trays, or removing air bubbles during molding, a consistent vacuum level can mean the difference between scrap and sellable goods.
Common vacuum uses in plastics processing:
Extruder venting and degassing
Sheet and film thermoforming
Injection molding support
Resin drying and conveying
Process challenges include:
Varying vacuum demand throughout production
Dust and vapor contamination
Tight tolerances on vacuum level to prevent part defects
Footprint limitations on OEM machinery
Dekker’s solution: The DuraVane rotary vane series is a go-to choice for plastics OEMs and processors, offering compact size, consistent vacuum levels, and simple maintenance. For higher vapor loads or continuous-duty extrusion lines, Dekker’s Vmax oil-sealed liquid ring systems offer a rugged, closed-loop solution that handles sticky gas streams and minimizes fluid consumption.
Case example: A plastics packaging facility near Chattanooga installed a multi-pump Vmax system sized by Industrial Air Services. The upgrade replaced noisy, failure-prone rotary vane pumps and resulted in:
22% reduction in cycle time
Lower scrap rates
30% maintenance cost reduction
Quieter, safer working conditions
Chemical Processing: Solvent Recovery, Distillation & Reactor Evacuation
In the chemical industry, vacuum is indispensable. It enables low-temperature distillation, improves reaction rates, protects sensitive compounds, and recovers valuable solvents. At the same time, these processes often involve corrosive vapors, pressure fluctuations, and safety-critical operations.
Key vacuum applications in chemical plants:
Vacuum distillation
Reactor vessel evacuation
Solvent stripping and recovery
Drying ovens and tray dryers
Filtration and crystallization
Industry challenges include:
Corrosive gases and solvents (acids, alcohols, aromatics)
Fluctuating load conditions
Strict environmental and safety regulations
The need for explosion-proof and FM-approved equipment
Dekker’s solution: The ChemSeal series of liquid ring pumps is purpose-built for corrosive chemical environments. Featuring duplex stainless steel or other exotic alloys, ChemSeal systems offer FM explosion-proof motors and gas-sealing features to handle the harshest gas streams safely and efficiently.
Industrial Air Services provides system audits and can design custom ChemSeal skid packages with:
Solvent-compatible materials
Closed-loop seal liquid recovery
Corrosion-resistant piping and valves
Integrated controls and safety interlocks
Real-world results: A specialty chemical processor in Nashville switched to a ChemSeal system with PLC control and dual pump redundancy. Benefits included:
24/7 uptime with no operator intervention
40% solvent recovery rate improvement
Immediate ROI in under 14 months
Zero safety or environmental compliance violations
📞 Need a vacuum system that works as hard as your process? Call Industrial Air Services at (615) 641-3100 today to get started.
Why Industrial Air Services and Dekker?
Dekker is one of the few vacuum pump manufacturers that offers both product and process engineering. Every pump is backed by decades of industrial experience, with solutions that span:
Liquid ring (Maxima, Vmax, ChemSeal)
Rotary vane (DuraVane)
Rotary piston and hybrid systems
Custom skids and multi-pump systems
Controls, tanks, reservoirs, and separators
Industrial Air Services enhances this offering with:
Local vacuum audits and sizing
Full installation and startup
SCADA and control panel integration
Maintenance, training, and 24/7 emergency response
OEM parts and Dekker-certified service
Whether you need a single-point replacement or a full vacuum system overhaul, we’ll help you plan, install, and support it every step of the way.
Conclusion
In pulp & paper, plastics, and chemical processing, the right vacuum system is the difference between smooth production and costly delays. Dekker’s proven pump technologies—paired with Industrial Air Services’ expertise—deliver custom-engineered solutions that are built for uptime, efficiency, and process stability.
Don’t settle for a generic vacuum system. Partner with Industrial Air Services and get a vacuum solution designed around your process.
📞 Call (615) 641-3100 to schedule a site visit, application review, or request a system proposal today.
