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Improving Organic Removal in Brown Stock Washing Process, 20

Improving Organic Removal in Brown Stock Washing Process, 2017PEERS

Dynamics of Capillary? Driven Flow in Paper? Based Microfluidic Devices, 2018 Advanced Coating Symposium

Dynamics of Capillary? Driven Flow in Paper? Based Microfluidic Devices, 2018 Advanced Coating Symposium

Online measurement of bulk, tensile, brightness, and ovendry content of bleached chemithermomechanical pulp using visible and near infrared spectroscopy, TAPPI JOURNAL April 2018

Online measurement of bulk, tensile, brightness, and ovendry content of bleached chemithermomechanical pulp using visible and near infrared spectroscopy, TAPPI JOURNAL April 2018

Understanding the risks and rewards of using 50% vs. 10% strength peroxide in pulp bleach plants, TAPPI Journal November 2018

Authors: Alan W. Rudie and Peter W. Hart | ABSTRACT: The use of 50% concentration and 10% concentration hydrogen peroxide were evaluated for chemical and mechanical pulp bleach plants at storage and at point of use. Several dangerous occurrences have been documented when the supply of 50% peroxide going into the pulping process was not stopped during a process failure. Startup conditions and leaking block valves during maintenance outages have also contributed to explosions. Although hazardous events have occurred, 50% peroxide can be stored safely with proper precautions and engineering controls. For point of use in a chemical bleach plant, it is recommended to dilute the peroxide to 10% prior to application, because risk does not outweigh the benefit. For point of use in a mechanical bleach plant, it is recommended to use 50% peroxide going into a bleach liquor mixing system that includes the other chemicals used to maintain the brightening reaction rate. When 50% peroxide is used, it is critical that proper engineering controls are used to mitigate any risks.

COMPARISON OF THE COATING STRENGTH OF FOUR BINDER CHEMISTRIES USED IN PAPERBOARD COATINGS, 19PaperCon

COMPARISON OF THE COATING STRENGTH OF FOUR BINDER CHEMISTRIES USED IN PAPERBOARD COATINGS, 19PaperCon

Data driven modeling to reduce fossil fuel consumption in a lime kiln integrated with biomass gasifier, TAPPI Journal September 2026

ABSTRACT: Biomass gasification, although already known and applied, is currently being consolidated as a sustainable alternative in the pulp industry, contributing to the reduction of fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and to the utilization of forest residues. In this context, pulp mills are beginning to adopt biomass gasification within their chemical recovery cycles by integrating the technology with lime kilns. However, further process studies are still needed to support and optimize this application. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze lime mud feed temperature by applying an artificial neural network model to a gasification system integrated with a lime kiln. For this evaluation, 10 periods of system stability throughout 2024 were selected under different operational conditions. Data from 28 potential predictive variables were collected, a total of 348 observations. This dataset was then processed using R software, where data treatment and model dimensionality reduction were performed, resulting in 10 predictive variables between gasifier and kiln. Next, the dataset was randomly divided into training (70% of the observations) and testing data. The established neural network model (using “neuralnet” package) was optimized, resulting in a configuration containing one hidden layer with three neurons. This setup enabled optimal estimation of the flue gas kiln outlet temperature, with mean absolute error (MAE) = 3.0°C and root mean square error (RMSE) = 4.1°C, applying the resilient backpropagation algorithm with backtracking — both below the thermocouple’s measurement error (±5.0°C) for the evaluated average temperature range (668.2°C). When the same dataset was modeled using the resilient backpropagation algorithm without backtracking, even better results were achieved: MAE = 2.5°C and RMSE = 3.7°C. Thus, after evaluating these and other configurations, it was concluded that the best model required 10 predictive variables and the backpropagation algorithm without backtracking to determine flue gas kiln outlet temperature. These results provide a better understanding of how gasifier and kiln variables influence the temperature in the lime kiln, which is essential to improve control and optimize the calcination process, avoiding supplementary fossil fuel consumption.

Multilayer Barrier Paperboard Based on Nanocellulose and Biodegradable Thermoplastics, 2021 TAPPICon Live (21TAPL)

Novel test method for measuring defects in barrier coatings, TAPPI Journal November 2022

ABSTRACT: In the last several years, activity to develop water-based barrier coatings (WBBCs) that meet challenging packaging performance requirements has increased dramatically. Cellulose-based packaging solutions can provide a more sustainable packaging option for replacing single-use plastic-based options like extrusion-based and laminated materials. An advantage of WBBCs is the opportunity to reduce the coating thickness applied, as long as the barrier requirements can be met. A challenge that must be overcome is the ability to maintain a defect and pin-hole-free coating layer after coating and drying to retain the barrier performance. Many formulation and coating parameters can affect the barrier coating layer quality; however, methods for detecting more subtle differences in these types of studies are not widely available. Work was carried out to develop a quantitative technique for detecting and measuring the quantity and size of defects in the barrier coating layer. A test method has been developed using a combination of dyed oil and image analysis to be able to characterize the imperfections in the coating surface. The use of dyed oil serves two purposes. First, it better simulates the types of materials, in this case, oils and grease, for which the barrier coating is expected to hold out. Second, it also provides contrast between the coating and failure points for testing. An image analysis technique is employed to characterize the number and size of the imperfections. For the former, it reduces the testing time required if a quality control or laboratory technician counts the dots. For the latter, it assists with judgment on the source of the root cause of the imperfection, such as base sheet defects, coating dispersion issues, or perhaps micro-blisters in the coating, as some examples.To show the benefit of this technique, several pilot coating studies were designed to see if the new technique could be utilized to detect differences in WBBC performance. Both process and chemical variables were evaluated. With refinement, it is believed this technique can be utilized in development work, as well as for a potential quality control technique for manufacturing of coated paper and paperboard products.

Rethinking the paper cup — beginning with extrusion process optimization for compostability and recyclability, TAPPI Journal June 2021

ABSTRACT: More than 50 billion disposable paper cups used for cold and hot beverages are sold within the United States each year. Most of the cups are coated with a thin layer of plastic — low density polyethylene (LDPE) — to prevent leaking and staining. While the paper in these cups is both recyclable and compostable, the LDPE coat-ing is neither. In recycling a paper cup, the paper is separated from the plastic lining. The paper is sent to be recycled and the plastic lining is typically sent to landfill. In an industrial composting environment, the paper and lining can be composted together if the lining is made from compostable materials. Coating paper cups with a compostable performance material uniquely allows for used cups to be processed by either recycling or composting, thus creating multiple pathways for these products to flow through a circular economy.A segment of the paper converting industry frequently uses an extrusion grade of polylactic acid (PLA) for zero-waste venues and for municipalities with ordinances for local composting and food service items. The results among these early adopters reveal process inefficiencies that elevate manufacturing costs while increasing scrap and generally lowering output when using PLA for extrusion coating. NatureWorks and Sung An Machinery (SAM) North America researched the extrusion coating process utilizing the incumbent polymer (LDPE) and PLA. The trademarked Ingeo 1102 is a new, compostable, and bio-based PLA grade that is specifically designed for the extrusion coating process. The research team identified the optimum process parameters for new, dedicated PLA extrusion coating lines. The team also identified changes to existing LDPE extrusion lines that processors can make today to improve output.The key finding is that LDPE and PLA are significantly different polymers and that processing them on the same equipment without modification of systems and/or setpoints can be the root cause of inefficiencies. These polymers each have unique processing requirements with inverse responses. Fine tuning existing systems may improve over-all output for the biopolymer without capital investment, and this study showed an increase in line speed of 130% by making these adjustments. However, the researchers found that highest productivity can be achieved by specifying new systems for PLA. A line speed increase to more than 180% and a reduction in coat weight to 8.6 µm (10.6 g/m2 or 6.5 lb/3000 ft2) was achieved in this study. These results show that Ingeo 1102 could be used as a paper coating beyond cups.

THE EFFECT OF SHOE PRESS ANGLE ON BULK, DRYNESS AND PAPER PROPERTIES, TAPPICon 2023