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Effects of agitator blade scaling on mixing in dissolving tanks, TAPPI Journal April 2022
ABSTRACT: Hard calcium carbonate scale often forms on the agitators in smelt dissolving tanks. The effects of this scale on mixing are not well understood. While mixing in tanks has often been modeled in the literature, there have been no studies involving agitator scaling. To better understand the impact of agitator scaling on hydrodynamics and tank concentrations, a steady state, three-dimensional (3D) model has been developed for a smelt dissolving tank at a kraft pulp mill. In this work, four cases are compared: an agitator with no scaling, mild scaling, moderate scaling, and extreme scaling. The extreme scaling case is representative of scale buildup on a dissolving tank agitator that was significant enough that the agitator had to be stopped and cleaned. The reduction in the agitator fluid jet velocity is relatively small for the mild and moderate scaling cases, but it becomes more significant for the extreme scaling case, for which the results indicate that the mixing of the smelt with the weak wash is likely poor and that there would thus be a risk of smelt pooling.
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Characterizing rheological behavior and fluidization of highly refined furnishes, TAPPI Journal April 2024
ABSTRACT: In this work, highly refined softwood bleached kraft pulp (SWBKP) furnishes, referred to here as XFC, were studied from the perspective of fiber suspension handling in processing. The rheology of the furnishes was studied with a rotational rheometer using a non-standard flow geometry to understand the viscosity development at different consistencies and the impact of temperature. For fluidization analysis during pipe flow, two optical methods were implemented; namely, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and high-speed video (HSV) imaging. The OCT was used to determine the small-scale floc structures near the pipe wall where the shear stress is highest, and the HSV imaging was applied for observing flow instabilities and XFC suspension uniformity at the pipe scale. All these issues can be significant in deciding the minimum flow rate required for a process pipe to get sufficient fluidization of XFC suspensions.
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External fibrillation of wood pulp, TAPPI Journal June 2023
ABSTRACT: Pulp refining produces external fibrillation consisting of fibrils tethered to fiber surfaces, in addition to loose fibrils and fines. Both contribute to a larger bonding area that increases paper strength, but tethered fibrils have less likelihood of being washed out during papermaking. This study postulates the mechanism by which refining produces external fibrillation and the optimum conditions for doing so.The postulated mechanism is surface abrasion during sliding of fibers in refiner gaps. External fibrillation occurs when forces are great enough to partially dislodge fibrils from fiber surfaces, but not large enough to break the fibrils. The refining intensities to achieve these forces were determined by a mathematical model and experiments using a laboratory disc refiner. The optimum intensities in terms of specific edge load (SEL) for chemical pulps were about 0.1 J/m for hardwoods and 1.0 J/m for softwoods. An extension of this study suggested that abrasion may also account for most of the energy consumed in the mechanical pulping process.
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Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — Fibrous substrates, TAPPI Journal September 2023
ABSTRACT: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been implemented during the finishing process of textiles such as upholstery, clothing, personal protective equipment, and sports gear to provide water resistance. Currently, PFAS are still present at quantifiable levels in consumer products and food, even though many companies have started to phase out PFAS treatment with non-toxic water repellant replacements given the possible detrimental health effects suggested by current research. This paper is a detailed review that focuses on how PFAS are implemented in textile production and sources of PFAS contamination during chemical treatments. This review also addresses current legislation on PFAS emissions and trade regulations to decrease exposure of consumers due to toxicokinetics and mechanisms of action through-out the body that are still not well understood. This paper includes a literature review on possible PFAS related health conditions shown from past research and contains suggested toxicity levels, exposure routes, duration, and pathways detailed to the best of our ability.
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Evaluation of rice straw for purification of lovastatin, TAPPI Journal November 2021
ABSTRACT: Cholesterol synthesis in the human body can be catalyzed by the coenzyme HMG-CoA reductase, and lovastatin, a key enzyme inhibitor, can reduce hypercholesterolemia. Lovastatin can be obtained as a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542. In this study, rice straw of lignocellulose was used in aeration and agitation bath fermentation in a 1-L flask, and a maximal crude extraction rate of 473 mg/L lovastatin was obtained. The crude extract was treated with silica gel (230–400 mesh) column chromatography. Ethyl acetate/ethanol (95%) was used as the mobile phase, and isolation was performed through elution with various ethyl acetate/ethanol ratios. The highest production rate of 153 mg/L was achieved with ethyl acetate/ethanol in a ratio of 8:2. The lovastatin gained from the crude extract was added to 12 fractions treated with 0.001 N alkali, and acetone was then added. After 24 h of recrystallization at 4°C, the extract underwent high-performance liquid chromatography. The purity had increased from 25% to 84.6%, and the recovery rate was 65.2%.
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Editorial: TAPPI Journal Best Research Paper for 2023 focuses on black liquor concentration using graphene oxide membranes, TAPPI Journal February 2024
ABSTRACT: TAPPI and the TAPPI Journal (TJ) Editorial Board would like congratulate the authors of the 2023 TAPPI Journal Best Research Paper Award and Honghi Tran Prize: Sam Rae, Ella V. Richards, Max Kleiman-Lynch, Brent D. Keller, and Brandon I. Macdonald. Their paper, “Pilot scale black liquor concentration using pressure driven membrane separation,” appeared on p. 223 of the April 2023 issue. This kraft recovery cycle research was recognized by the TAPPI Journal Editorial Board for its innovation, creativity, scientific merit, and clear expression of ideas.
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Effects of varying total titratable alkali and causticizing efficiency targets on kraft pulp mill productivity, TAPPI Journal March 2024
ABSTRACT: The kraft mill causticizing area is often overlooked and undervalued when it comes to mill optimization; however, the operation of the causticizing plant has downstream effects on the entire liquor cycle. Setting the right targets for the causticizing plant can have a tremendous effect on mill operating costs, as well as push the production bottleneck from one unit operation to another. The key performance parameters associated with the causticizing plant itself are liquor total titratable alkali (TTA) and causticizing efficiency. Individual facilities choose their TTA and causticizing efficiency targets based on their goals, the limits of their equipment, and past experiences. This gives a variety of operating strategies in practice, but what are the implications for optimizing total titratable alkali and causticizing efficiency, and what level of optimization can be achieved through implementation of modern technology? This paper reviews the results of several different operational strategies and models the effects of these different approaches on kraft mill liquor cycle.
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Repulping of wet strength paper towel with potassium monopersulfate, TAPPI Journal September 2020
ABSTRACT: Potassium monopersulfate (KMPS) was used in repulping of polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE)-containing paper towel. The effectiveness of the repulping aid was compared with that of sodium hypochlorite. Addition of a 2.4% KMPS repulping aid achieved complete repulping of the paper towel, resulting in 88% screen yield and about 5% rejects. To reach a similar pulping result, two times the oxidative equivalent amount of sodium hypochlorite had to be used. Compared to the pulp fibers obtained from sodium hypochlorite repulping, those obtained from KMPS repulping had higher physical strength, longer fiber length, and lower fines content. This study demonstrated that KMPS was superior to sodium hypochlorite in repulping of PAE-containing paper towel in terms of effectiveness and pulp quality.
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How do mud balls form in lime kilns?, TAPPI Journal April 2023
ABSTRACT: Mud ball formation in lime kilns has been a persistent problem in many kraft mills, particularly for older kilns that are equipped with chains. A systematic laboratory study was conducted to examine how mud balls are formed and the key factors that affect ball formation. The results confirm the general mill experience that high moisture and high sodium contents in lime mud are the main contributing factors to ball formation. The high moisture content allows lime mud to agglomerate and grow to form balls, while the high sodium content helps make the balls hard and retain their shape. A ball formation mechanism is proposed to explain how mud balls form and grow near the kiln feed end.
Journal articles
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Does the kappa number method accurately reflect lignin content in nonwood pulps?, TAPPI Journal November 2018
Does the kappa number method accurately reflect lignin content in nonwood pulps?, TAPPI Journal November 2018