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Comparing a linear transfer function-noise model and a neural network to model boiler bank fouling in a kraft recovery boiler, TAPPI Journal, July 2024
ABSTRACT: Boiler bank fouling reduces heat transfer efficiency in kraft recovery boilers. Here, we model the relationships between boiler parameters and boiler bank pressure drop, an indicator of fouling, based on recovery boiler operating data. We compared two models: an autoregressive integrated exogenous (ARIX) model and a feedforward neural network. The ARIX model better simulates boiler bank pressure drop compared to the neural network (R2 of 0.64 vs. 0.58). Based on the ARIX model, we identified six boiler parameters that significantly influence boiler bank fouling and their relative contributions. Finally, we demonstrate how the models can simulate boiler bank pressure drop given artificial perturbations in boiler parameters.
Journal articles
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Improvements in oil and grease resistance (OGR) test methodology for waterborne barrier coatings, TAPPI Journal November 2022
ABSTRACT: Paper-based food packaging is becoming more popular due to consumer demands for sustainable packaging options. Waterborne paper coatings that provide performance properties (i.e., resistance to oil and grease) not inherent to paper and board substrates offer improved sustainability profiles over earlier paper treatment options, including fluorocarbon treatment and coating with extruded plastics. The continued development of new paper coating technologies requires re-evaluation of current test methods and development of new methods to ensure lab evaluations can serve as accurate predictors of real-world performance. This paper provides an overview of commonly used oil and grease resistance (OGR) test methods within the paper coatings industry, and then describes improvements and developments made to two key methods: the 3M Kit test and an internally developed oil breakthrough test. The combined use of these adapted methods provides a more efficient testing workflow and a more complete understanding of the OGR performance of barrier coatings.
Journal articles
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New opportunities in the paper and nonwovens industries with foam-assisted web forming and chemical application, TAPPI Journal January 2023
ABSTRACT: Foam-assisted web forming and chemical application technologies have great potential to improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality in the paper and nonwovens industries. In this study, the benefits of foam forming and foam-assisted application of chemicals were demonstrated in a pilot machine trial. Uniform high-bulk webs of unrefined bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) and viscose fibers were manufactured by foam forming. It was shown that foam formed low-grammage and high-bulk viscose fiber webs can be strengthened by foam-assisted application of latex onto the wet web. Correspondingly, foam-assisted application of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and anionic polyacrylamide (A-PAM) improved the strength of the foam formed low-grammage and high-bulk BSKP web. Overall, the pilot machine results indicated that material cost savings could be achieved and a high-performance product could be manufactured with foam-based technologies.
Journal articles
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Continuous digester process safety improvements • Stress corrosion cracking and overpressure protection lessons learned and opportunities, TAPPI Journal October 2024
ABSTRACT: Georgia-Pacific has recent experience with continuous digester stress corrosion cracking (SCC) repairs where the extent of SCC was more than previous spot inspections had predicted (one digester had anodic protection, one did not). This paper offers case studies of reviewed and improved digester inspections by use of “boat” samples to quantify the depth of cracking mechanism. Boat sample test data is used to support repair recommendations based on hardness testing. Georgia-Pacific also reviewed overpressure protection systems and corrected gaps found in these systems. These included updating to the latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) designs and formalizing functional testing procedures and practices. This review of digester inspection, testing, and repairs since 2020 provides: (1) a basis for including a 3rd party corrosion expert to be a part of inspections; (2) removes the use of power-wire brushes; (3) enhances digester inspection with 100% phased-array ultrasonic testing to detect SCC; and (4) ensures overpressure protection design and testing is aligned with corporate needs and the site-specific challenges.
Journal articles
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Orifice geometry as a tool for evaluating extensional flow resistance of barrier coating colors, TAPPI Journal November 2024
ABSTRACT: Knowledge of extensional flow behavior of coating colors can be beneficial for improving runnability and eliminating defects in various coating processes. The current work evaluates the use of an orifice geometry attached to a commercial capillary viscometer as a tool to obtain extensional flow properties of barrier coating dispersions. By measuring the pressure drop across the orifice as a function of flow velocity, the method presents the flow resistance as Euler number at industrially relevant high deformation rates. The results agree with the earlier results obtained with a capillary entrance pressure loss technique. The type of polymer additive is shown to control the extensional flow resistance, with high molecular weight linear flexible polymers such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) having highest impact. The orifice method offers advantages over other approaches, including the need for only a small sample amount, ease of measurement, and access to high deformation rates.
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Measurement and control of extensional viscosity in barrier coating dispersions, TAPPI Journal November 2023
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to understand the effect of various rheological additives on the extensional viscosity of barrier coating dispersions, as well as to understand the role extensional viscosity plays in stabilizing a liquid curtain. The apparent extensional viscosity was measured using two devices that create accelerating flows: a capillary viscometer and an orifice rheometer. Additives tested include several polyvinyl alcohols, a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, and carboxymethylcellulose. Extensional viscosity plays a significant role in stabilizing a liquid curtain, as it slows down hole expansion and prevents impurities and disturbances from causing holes in the first place. Some of the additives could substantially increase the extensional viscosity of the dispersions without increasing the shear viscosity outside the typical range of processability for a curtain coater. Some of the additives exhibited coil-stretch transition, meaning they start increasing extensional viscosity above a certain extension rate. Polymers with low chain lengths exhibited finite extensibility, which indicates the polymer chain has fully extended and cannot provide further extensional viscosity, even though the extending force is increased. Polymeric additives with stiff or branched chains significantly raised shear viscosity without increasing extensional viscosity. Both methods could reliably measure extensional viscosity in curtain coating barrier dispersions.
Journal articles
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An evaluation of household tissue softness, TAPPI Journal February 2021
ABSTRACT: This study extends our 2019 paper, a study of the softness of household tissues using a tissue softness analyzer (TSA) and hand-felt panels. It revisits the softness theory of Holger Hollmark by applying a reciprocal matrix approach to measure sheet bulk softness and surface softness, and then make comparisons with the results obtained using a TSA instrument. We ascertained that there was a high correlation of R=0.904 between panel-corrected hand-felt (CHF) softness and TSA softness (TSA-HF); and a low correlation of R=-0.678 between panel-corrected hand-felt surface softness (CHSS) and TSA smoothness (TS-750). Three hunches about TSA measurements were confirmed: 1) Hollmark’s theory was confirmed by a high correlation coefficient (R=0.895) between CHF and CHSS softness, indicating that the two parameters are mutually dependent; 2) TS-750 differs from CHSS and has partial influence on TSA-HF results with a correlation of R = -0.510; and 3) although TS-750 has only limited influences on TSA-HF, further opportunities for their application can be provided using pertinent regression equations.
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
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Rewet in wet pressing of paper, TAPPI JOURNAL September 2018
Rewet in wet pressing of paper, TAPPI JOURNAL September 2018
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Melt-blown compostable polyester films with lignin, TAPPI J
Melt-blown compostable polyester films with lignin, TAPPI JOURNAL March 2017