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Conference papers
How A Major Pulp & Paper Manufacturer Reduced MRO Inventory Using RCM Principles, 20PEERS Conference
How A Major Pulp & Paper Manufacturer Reduced MRO Inventory Using RCM Principles, 20PEERS Conference
Journal articles
Magazine articles
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.
Journal articles
Conversion of paper-grade pulp from rice straw into dissolving pulp, TAPPI Journal June 2025
ABSTRACT: About 1,165 million metric tons of rice straw is generated every year worldwide, which can be a good source for the circular bioeconomy. In this research paper, the paper-grade pulp from rice straw was converted to dissolving-grade pulp by fractionation in a biorefinery initiative. Rice straw was cooked at an optimum condition of 8% potassium hydroxide (KOH) charge for 120 min at 150°C and produced a pulp yield of 47.2% with a kappa number of 18.5. Subsequently, D0(EP)D1 bleaching was carried out for the produced pulp, and the brightness of the pulp reached to 82.4%. From the black liquor, 16.5% of the lignin and 11.9% of the hemicellulose were isolated for producing biobased products and chemicals, and then the spent liquor was used for soil amendment. The bleached pulp was fractionated in a Bauer McNett fiber classifier. The pulp fibers retained on 16-, 30-, and 50-mesh screens were used as a longer fiber fraction pulp, and pulp fibers retained on 100- and 200-mesh screens were used as a shorter fiber pulp. The longer and shorter fiber fraction pulps were analyzed for cellulose, R10, pentosan, and viscosity. The long fiber fraction pulps were characterized by higher cellulose (88.2% vs. 83.1%) and lower pentosan (11.3% vs. 13.0%) content than the shorter fiber fraction pulps. The longer fiber fraction was further treated with cold KOH to remove residual hemicellulose. The KOH extraction reduced pentosan content in pulp to 6.3% and increased á-cellulose content to 91.3%. The short fiber fraction was converted to monomeric sugars using cellulase enzymes with varying reaction time, temperature, and consistency. The efficiency of cellulase activity was assessed through glucose yield and residual dry weight. A temperature of 45°C, 5.0 pH, 5% consistency, and 6 filter paper units/gram (FPU/g) o.d. pulp resulted in maximum sugar conversion of 85.7%.
Journal articles
Optimization of optical coverage of board surfaces with assessment of light scattering and absorption using mineral as a coating component, TAPPI Journal June 2026
ABSTRACT: One of the primary functions of mineral inclusion into paper or paperboard is to improve the optical performance of the substrate. A coating may be applied to a sheet in order to cover a dark base, to improve the sheet opacity, to give the correct smoothness and gloss, or to give a suitable surface on which to print. The brightness of a pigment has long been used as a guide for pigment choice in paper and board. However, the measured paper brightness is a function of color and light absorption (K) of the coating and base and the light scattering (S) within the sheet resulting from interfaces with different refractive index. The optical performance can be quantified by measuring the S&K coefficients as described by the Kubelka-Munk model/theory in a filled or coated paper sheet. In coating, this is often assessed as a function of coat weight, and the corresponding physical sheet properties are assessed at the same time; for example, the correct gloss, smoothness, point-to-point uniformity, and printability. The optical performance in the sheet is often not directly related to the pigment brightness, but is largely a function of the particle packing within the sheet and coating layer. In the first and second main sections of this work, respectively, we show how S&K calculations from the Kubelka- Munk equations can be used in coated sheets to determine the optical performance and how this can be used as a predictive tool for the final sheet performance. This is presented for base sheets with different starting brightness. The third section of this work focuses on how mineral combinations in coatings can be used to improve the light scattering and consequently the optical performance of the board. We include theoretical considerations and then finally share a case study for improvement on the optical properties of recycled board.
Books
Black Liquor Evaporation Now Available from TAPPI Press
Explores the science, technology, and practice of successfully concentrating black liquor from weak liquor to firing concentrations
TAPPI News
Old Home Week
Old Home Week Above are 15 of the 21 in attendance who were not camera shy. It never ceases to amaze me, when TAPPI Members come together for a corporate visit or TAPPI conference with 100-5,000
Journal articles
Utilization of inline total dissolved solids measurement system in a pulp mill's brownstock washing line, TAPPI Journal January 2026
ABSTRACT: Efficient washing improves the recovery of sodium (Na) and sulfur (S) cooking chemicals, as well as wood-based dissolved organic material. It also reduces the additional consumption of chemicals in the subsequent bleaching stages. The operation of the brownstock washing of the pulp mill’s fiber line has a significant impact on the mill’s energy economy, material efficiency, and environmental emissions. Process refractometers can be used to measure the total dissolved solids (TDS) from both the washing liquor and the pulp suspension filtrate part directly from pipelines or pipe bypass loops. In addition, by measuring the three or four incoming/outgoing dissolved solids streams to the washers, together with consistencies and flow rate measurements, it is possible to build the real-time effectiveness calculation of the washer(s). In this work, an online efficiency calculation based on TDS measurements was built for a pressure filter after cooking and oxygen (O2) delignification. The washing performance was monitored over a longer period, and stepwise tests were conducted to find the optimal operating mode. The feed and washing consistencies, the washer’s torque, and the washing liquid distributions varied, and the washer’s efficiency values were monitored using realtime measurements. From the long-term trends of the efficiency calculation, process disturbances could be detected, and their causes could be found. Based on the results of the stepwise tests, an optimal operating model for the washer was found. By optimizing the washing consistency, the Y10 washing yield could be increased. More efficient washing with the same or even a smaller amount of washing liquid can relieve the operation of the evaporator, which is often a bottleneck in the mill. The study also found the effect of cooking-related carryover on the operation of the oxygen stage, as well as differences in the washability of softwood and hardwood.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Understanding the risks and rewards of using 50% vs. 10% strength peroxide in pulp bleach plants,TAPPI Journal December 2024
Authors: Alan W. Rudie and Peter W. Hart | TAPPI J. 17(11): 601(2018) - 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.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Effects of carboxymethyl starch as a papermaking additive, TAPPI Journal February 2024
ABSTRACT: Carboxymethyl starch (CMS) is a bio-based, anionic polymer that has potential as part of a dry-strength additive program for papermaking. Due to its negative charge, its effects can be expected to depend on its interactions with various cationic agents. In this work, the effects of CMS were observed following its sequential addition after one of three selected cationic strength agents at different dosage levels. In selected tests, the furnish was pretreated at the 1% level by a dispersant, sodium polyacrylate, which might represent a high level of anionic contaminants in a paper mill system. Laboratory tests were conducted to show the effects on dewatering, fine-particle retention, and flocculation. These tests were supplemented with measurements of charge demand, zeta potential, and handsheet properties. Sequential addition of cationic glyoxylated acrylamide copolymers (gPAM) and CMS were found to strongly promote dewatering. Two gPAM products and a poly(vinylamine) product in sequential addition with CMS were very effective for promoting fine-particle retention. These same sequential treatments of the stock contributed to moderate fiber flocculation, though severe flocculation was caused by further treatment of the furnish with colloidal silica. Handsheet strength results were mixed. In the default recycled copy paper furnish, the average breaking length for the sheets made with cationic additives followed by CMS was not greatly different from the blank condition. Superior strength resulted when the default furnish was treated with a dispersant alone. When the dispersant-contaminated furnish was treated with the same combinations of cationic additives and CMS, the strength returned to the baseline achieved in the absence of the dispersant. The results were discussed in terms of the charged character of the different additives and their interactions not only with the fiber surfaces but also with each other.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Experiments and visualization of sprays from beer can and turbo liquor nozzles, TAPPI Journal February 2022
ABSTRACT: Industrial scale swirl-type black liquor nozzles were studied using water as the test fluid. Simple water spraying experiments were found to be very beneficial for studying and comparing nozzles for black liquor spraying. These kinds of experiments are important for finding better nozzle designs. Three nozzle designs were investigated to understand the functional differences between these nozzles. The pressure loss of nozzle 1 (“tangential swirl”) and nozzle 3 (“turbo”) were 97% and 38% higher compared to nozzle 2 (“tan-gential swirl”). Spray opening angles were 75°, 60°, and 35° for nozzles 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Video imaging showed that the nozzles produced sprays that were inclined a few degrees from the nozzle centerline. Spray patter-nation showed all the sprays to be asymmetric, while nozzle 2 was the most symmetric. Laser-Doppler measure-ments showed large differences in spray velocities between nozzles. The spray velocity for nozzle 1 increased from 9 m/s to 15 m/s when the flow rate was increased from 1.5 L/s to 2.5 L/s. The resulting velocity increase for nozzle 2 was from 7 m/s to 11 m/s, and for nozzle 3, it was from 8 m/s to 13 m/s. Tangential flow (swirl) directed the spray 6°–12° away from the vertical plane. Liquid sheet breakup mechanisms and lengths were estimated by analyzing high speed video images. The liquid sheet breakup mechanism for nozzle 1 was estimated to be wave formation, and the sheet length was estimated to be about 10 cm. Sheet breakup mechanisms for nozzle 2 were wave formation and sheet perforation, and the sheet length was about 20 cm. Nozzle 3 was not supposed to form a liquid sheet. Nozzle geometry was found to greatly affect spray characteristics.