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Upscaling of foam forming technology for pilot scale, TAPPI JOURNAL August 2019

ABSTRACT: The need for production cost savings and changes in the global paper and board industry during recent years have been constants. Changes in the global paper and board industry during past years have increased the need for more cost-efficient processes and production technologies. It is known that in paper and board production, foam typically leads to problems in the process rather than improvements in production efficiency. Foam forming technology, where foam is used as a carrier phase and a flowing medium, exploits the properties of dispersive foam. In this study, the possibility of applying foam forming technology to paper applications was investigated using a pilot scale paper forming environment modified for foam forming from conventional water forming. According to the results, the shape of jet-to-wire ratios was the same in both forming methods, but in the case of foam forming, the achieved scale of jet-to-wire ratio and MD/CD-ratio were wider and not behaving sensitively to shear changes in the forming section as a water forming process would. This kind of behavior would be beneficial when upscaling foam technology to the production scale. The dryness results after the forming section indicated the improvement in dewatering, especially when foam density was at the lowest level (i.e., air content was at the highest level). In addition, the dryness results after the pressing section indicated a faster increase in the dryness level as a function of foam density, with all density levels compared to the corresponding water formed sheets. According to the study, the bonding level of water- and foam-laid structures were at the same level when the highest wet pressing value was applied. The results of the study show that the strength loss often associated with foam forming can be compensat-ed for successfully through wet pressing.

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Open Access
How to use total dissolved solids measurements to evaluate the performance of diffuser washers—A mill study, TAPPI Journal April 2020

ABSTRACT: Various types of pulp washing equipment are available. Each washing device has a unique mechanical construction, and the washing principle is often a combination of dilution, thickening, and displacement washing. In this work, the performance of the pressure diffuser washer is studied. In stepwise trials, the effect of the feed and discharge consistencies on the performance of the diffuser was studied. The effect of the downward velocity of the screen on the pressure diffuser’s washing efficiency was also studied. The measurement of total dissolved solids (TDS) by a process refractometer was used as a wash loss measurement unit and the refractometer’s results were used in the calculations of standardized Nordén efficiency (E10) values. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and conductivity values were also measured and their results compared to the TDS results.The results indicated that feed consistency has a significant effect on the performance and effectiveness of the diffuser washers in the mill. It can also be stated that when the downward velocity of the screen is adjusted to too high a level, the washing efficiency of the pressure diffuser decreases. As a conclusion from the mill tests, it can be stated that even small process parameter changes can provide enhanced diffuser washing at the beginning of the washing line, which has a direct effect on the performance of post-oxygen washing.

Journal articles
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Open Access
Combatting lime kiln ringing problems at the Arauco Constitución mill, TAPPI Journal July 2020

ABSTRACT: The lime kiln at the Arauco Constitución mill experienced severe ringing problems requiring it to be shut down for ring removal every 3 to 6 months. The mill controlled the problems by blasting ring deposits off during operation with its existing industrial shotgun and a newly installed Cardox liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge system. Various ring blasting procedures were tested to determine the optimum ring location and thickness to blast; the optimum depth to insert the CO2 cartridge into the kiln; and the most effective blasting frequency and sequence to employ. The best strategy was found to be the weekly blasting operation that alternated between the liquid CO2 cartridge and the industrial shotgun, with the CO2 cartridge inserted into the ring mass, 20 cm (8 in.) away from the refractory brick surface, and the shotgun aimed at rings at about 28 m (92 ft) from the kiln discharge end. With each blasting event removing considerably more rings than before, it takes a longer time for rings to rebuild, allowing the kiln to run continuously between annual maintenance shutdowns with only a few short (< 4 h) downtimes for ring removal. This substantially reduces the costs associated with ring removal and lime replacement during unscheduled shutdowns.

Journal articles
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Open Access
Viscoelastic web curl due to storage in wound rolls, TAPPI Journal July 2020

ABSTRACT: Winding is often the final operation in a roll-to-roll manufacturing process. Web materials, i.e., materials that are thin compared to their length, are wound into rolls because this form is the only practical means to store them. The resulting bending strains and associated stresses are large for thick webs and laminates. As many webs are viscoelastic on some time scale, bending stresses lead to creep and inhomogeneous changes in length. When the web material is unwound and cut into discrete samples, a residual curvature remains. This curvature, called curl, is the inability for the web to lie flat at no tension. Curl is an undesirable web defect that causes loss of productivity in a subsequent web process. This paper describes the development and implementation of modeling and experimental tools to explore and mitigate curl in homogenous webs. Two theoretical and numerical methods that allow the prediction of curl in a web are developed: a winding software based on bending recovery theory, and the implementation of dynamic simula-tions of winding. One experimental method is developed that directly measures the curl online by taking advantage of the anticlastic bending resulting from the curl. These methods are demonstrated for a low-density polyethylene web.

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Open Access
Predicting strength characteristics of paper in real time using process parameters, TAPPI Journal March 2022

ABSTRACT: Online paper strength testing methods are currently unavailable, and papermakers have to wait for manufacture of a complete reel to assess quality. The current methodology is to test a very small sample of data (less than 0.005%) of the reel to confirm that the paper meets the specifications. This paper attempts to predict paper properties on a running paper machine so that papermakers can see the test values predicted in real time while changing various process parameters. This study was conducted at a recycled containerboard mill in Chicago using the multivariate analysis method. The program provided by Braincube was used to identify all parameters that affect strength characteristics. Nearly 1600 parameters were analyzed using a regression model to identify the major parameters that can help to predict sheet strength characteristics. The coefficients from the regression model were used with real-time data to predict sheet strength characteristics. Comparing the prediction with test results showed good correlation (95% in some cases). The process parameters identified related well to the papermaking process, thereby validating the model. If this method is used, it may be possible to predict various elastic moduli (E11, E12, E22, etc.) in the future as the next step, rather than the traditional single number “strength” tests used in the containerboard industry, such as ring crush test (RCT), corrugating medium test (CMT), and short-span compression strength test.

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Effects of phosphogypsum whiskers modification with calcium stearate and their impacts on properties of bleached softwood paper sheets, TAPPI Journal September 2021

ABSTRACT: By combining the structural properties and characteristics of phosphogypsum whiskers, a preliminary study on the modification of phosphogypsum whiskers and their application in papermaking was carried out. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, and reaction concentration on the solubility and retention of modified phosphogypsum whiskers and the effects of phosphogypsum whiskers on the physical properties of paper under different modified conditions were explored. The research results show that, after the phosphogypsum whiskers are modified with calcium stearate, a coating layer will be formed on the surface of the whiskers, which effectively reduces the solubility of the phosphogypsum whiskers. The best modification conditions are: the amount of calcium stearate relative to the absolute dry mass of the phosphogypsum whisker is 2.00%; the modification time is 30 min, and the modification temperature is 60°C. The use of modified phosphogypsum whiskers for paper filling will slightly reduce the whiteness, folding resistance, burst resistance, and tensile strength of the paper, but the tearing degree and retention of the filler will be increased to some extent.

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Open Access
Kraft pulp viscosity as a predictor of paper strength: Its uses and abuses, TAPPI Journal October 2023

ABSTRACT: For bleached kraft pulps, two factors govern paper strength: the individual fiber strength, and the bond strength that adheres the individual fibers together in the paper matrix. Inherent fiber strength is related to the length of the carbohydrate polymers, also known as the degree of polymerization (DP). Average DP (DP) is inferred by performing pulp viscosity measurements. Under certain circumstances during kraft pulping and bleaching, the average polymer lengths can be shortened, resulting in lower pulp viscosity, and may indicate fiber damage. Fiber damage typically manifests itself as a reduction in tear strength for well-bonded handsheets.This paper will review the literature on how pulp viscosity can predict paper/fiber strength and how it can be used as a diagnostic tool. It can be a means to monitor pulp quality during pulping and bleaching, as well as to alert when such operations approach a critical threshold. However, viscosity losses must be carefully and judiciously analyzed. Like most diagnostic tools, viscosity measurements can be misused and abused, which can lead to incorrect inferences about intrinsic fiber strength. This review will also cover these misuses. The overall goal is to provide the papermaker a better understanding of what pulp viscosity is, how it correlates to potential sheet strength, and what its limitations are. It will be illustrated that when pulp viscosity drops below a critical value, it will indicate an appreciable deterioration in the paper’s tear and tensile strength.

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Open Access
Guest Editorial: Still working (overtime): Life-saving nonwovens and continued innovation, TAPPI Journal August 2021

ABSTRACT: Recently, the United States federal government has recommended the need for a booster shot to combat COVID-19, highlighting the highly contagious nature of its Delta variant. This variant is surging in countries as far apart as Thailand, Brazil, and the United States. While the availability of the vaccine is not an issue in the United States, African, Latin American, and South Asian countries are in dire need of the vaccine. This scenario necessitates the need for continued safety measures. Among the recommended safety measures, use of face masks has been proven to be effective. Recent analysis showed that two-thirds of the 32 states in the United States with face mask mandates found them helpful for lowering infection rates.

Journal articles
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Open Access
Application of foamed additives to the surface of wet handsheets, TAPPI Journal January 2021

ABSTRACT: We explored the application of foamed wet-end additives onto wet handsheets to qualify our method of application and to demonstrate the method’s usefulness for prescreening additives and foaming agents for packaging applications.We modified a laboratory drawdown coating machine to allow coating of wet handsheets with foamed additives. Initial sheet solids were adjusted to a target of 8%•25% by vacuum. Foam layer thickness was set mechanically. After application, the foamed additives were drawn into the sheet with vacuum. The additive dosage was adjusted by altering its concentration within the foaming formulation. We evaluated more than 100 foaming agents and 10 strength additives, comparing wet-end and foam-assisted addition with no addition on recycled linerboard and virgin linerboard furnish. Foam-assisted addition typically displayed a much steeper dose-response curve and much higher maximum strength levels than wet-end addition. Our results suggest potential target applications for this technology, such as lightweighting, and improved strength performance in mills with relatively closed water systems, where strength aids added into the wet end are adversely influenced by accumulation of inorganic ions and organic species.

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Open Access
The effect of contact time between CPAM and colloidal silica on the flocculation behavior in the approach flow, TAPPI Journal January 2021

ABSTRACT: Multicomponent wet-end systems have become increasingly common in papermaking, with the objective of improving the retention-formation-dewatering relationship. It is quite common to use at least a cationic polymer, often in combination with an anionic microparticle. In some cases, a fixative is also used. However, there is still debate on the optimal implementation of these systems. In particular, optimizing the contact time of the cationic polymer prior to addition of the anionic microparticle is still poorly understood. In this work, we investigate the effect of the contact time of a cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) prior to addition of colloidal silica on the flocculation response in a flowing fiber suspension. The effect of using a fixative is also investigated. Focused beam reflectance measurements (FBRM) are combined with zeta-potential measurements for optimizing the addition levels of a two- and three-component system, as well as for elucidating the effect of contact time on CPAM performance. Trials are then performed on a pilot scale flow loop, where the time between addition of these two components is varied and the resulting flocculation response is characterized using high-speed filming and image analysis techniques. It is shown that the efficacy of CPAM can be improved through use of a fixative and that a longer CPAM contact time may be beneficial in terms of immediate flocculation; however, hydrodynamic shear tends to dominate the flocculation response regardless of contact time due to floc rupture.