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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
Magazine articles
Editorial: Special issues in March and May TAPPI Journal focus on the latest pulp manufacture and engineering research, TAPPI Journal March 2024
ABSTRACT: This issue, organized by Editor-in-Chief Peter Hart, features content from the 2023 PEERS/IBBC Conference that has been peer reviewed for publication in TAPPI Journal. The papers encompass a range of topics:œ Two papers, from researchers Suarez et al. at WestRock, examine pulp from nonwoods like wheat straw and sugar-cane bagasse using a holistic life cycle analysis approach to project environmental performance in packaging products. The results can help mills make decisions about which fibers ensure a low carbon footprint.
Journal articles
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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
Magazine articles
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
Editorial: Investing in Amercian advanced manufacturing, TAPPI Journal June 2025
ABSTRACT: American manufacturing is seeing a renewal, which is needed to boost jobs in America, particularly in the middle and manufacturing base of the country. The ongoing tariff situation emphasizes the importance of protecting domestic manufacturing. There is U.S. congressional agreement, in principle, to bring back manufacturing to the United States. However, given how the global trade and manufacturing space has shifted in the last four decades, it may not be a comparative advantage to manufacture low margin and labor-intensive products. Officials in the current U.S. Administration have stated that manufacturing of socks and T-shirts is not necessarily in the interest of the United States, but focusing on value-added products is essential. While silicon chips, solar panels, and batteries are key items of interest, advanced textile materials such as those that find applications in industrial products and composites, products that can save human lives, and products for protecting the environment are highly-valued items that cater to national security.
Journal articles
The effect of Stachys floridana Shuttlew.ex Benth extract as an additive on the chemical properties of chitosan biodegradable film, TAPPI Journal June 2025
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to explore chitosan with Stachys floridana Shuttlew. ex Benth (SFSB) extract as an additive to prepare an active film. The effects of the SFSB extract on the physical, antioxidant, and bacteriostatic properties of chitosan biodegradable films were studied. The results showed that the addition of SFSB extract significantly improved the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the film, and its biodegradation rate increased rapidly. Compared to the control film, the water solubility was lower at 19.40%, the expansion degree was higher at 288.90%, the water vapor permeability (WVP) was 0.364 g·mm/(m²·d·kPa), the surface hydrophobicity increased, and the mechanical strength was also improved. The contact angle increased to 89.3°. In addition, as the amount of SFSB increased, the thermal stability of chitosan-Stachys floridana Shuttlew. ex Benth (CS-SFSB) films also increased significantly, and their ultraviolet (UV) blocking ability was gradually enhanced. The results indicate that CS-SFSB has potential as a food packaging material.
Journal articles
Influence of base sheet properties on barrier coating performance, TAPPI Journal November 2025
ABSTRACT: Paper packaging offers a sustainable alternative to standard plastic-based materials, particularly for food and beverage applications. With reduced fiber treatment options like fluorochemicals, uncoated base stock often provides little-to-no effective barrier against liquid water, oil/grease, or moisture transmission. Despite the lack of natural barrier performance, base sheet properties can significantly influence the efficiency of applied waterbased barrier coatings. In this study, various base stock properties, such as caliper, porosity, roughness, and ash content, are reported to influence the barrier performance of styrene-acrylic and a copolymer of styrene-butadiene/styrene-acrylate based barrier coatings. These findings will help paper and board producers design better, more cost-effective, purposebuilt substrates for barrier applications in the packaging industry.
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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
Editorial: The emergence of AI in additives development, TAPPI Journal March 2025
ABSTRACT: The continuing evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and its penetration into the core of the world of papermaking were undeniable at TAPPICon 2024 and especially within the content presented and sponsored by TAPPI’s Papermaking Additives Committee. On one side of the spectrum, there were traditional methods of chemical development and application grounded in natural intelligence, while on the other, there was the emerging presence of algorithmic decision-making and machine learning within the development cycle. The latter technology is brimming with the kind of promise that could reshape how additives are conceived, developed, and applied, turning what was once a matter of trial and error into something far more precise and previously out of reach.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Editorial: Special pulping and engineering issues of TAPPI Journal yield important recovery cycle research, TAPPI Journal June 2024
ABSTRACT: The June issue of TAPPI Journal, which is dominated by recovery cycle topics, is the last PEERS issue organized by Dr. Peter Hart, the fomer editor-in-chief who passed away this past May. Peter, who was heavily involved with TAPPI’s Pulp Manufacture Division and various pulping-related committees, also started working with conference technical program planning starting in 2005 with the Engineering, Pulping and Environmental (EPE) Conference, which was the precursor to the more recent Pulping, Engineering, Environmental, Recycling and Sustainability (PEERS) Conference. He was also involved with other conference planning, including that for the International Pulp Bleaching Conference. In addition, Peter was a yearly attendee of such conferences starting as far back as 1990.