Search
Use the search bar or filters below to find any TAPPI product or publication.
Filters
Publications
Level of Knowledge
Collections
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Considerations in managing wastewater odor at pulp and paper operations, TAPPI Journal March 2022
ABSTRACT: Many pulp and paper mills are, at least periodically, faced with the release of odors that can migrate offsite and be considered a nuisance by nearby residents. At chemical pulp mills, perceptible odors associated with reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) are common, many of which are highly perceptible owing to their low odor thresholds. As releases of RSCs and other odorous substances from production processes are progressively controlled, the proportional contribution from wastewater treatment systems to areal odors can increase. This review paper summarizes important fundamentals of odor generation, source identification, and control. Common odorous substances are identified, and mechanisms for their generation are summarized. Approaches for measuring odorous substances are detailed to enable more effective management, and various odor control strategies are discussed.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
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%.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Continuous tannin extraction by use of screw reactor, TAPPI Journal February 2021
ABSTRACT: A pilot-size screw reactor (extraction unit) was used for tannin extraction of spruce. Yield of the same magnitude or better was obtained when comparing a screw reactor with batch reactors. A longer presoaking time in water seemed to be better than a short one for obtaining higher yield. A higher yield is obtained with lower dry-water ratio, which suggests that the internal diffusion in bark does not determine mass transfer as much as is the case without presoaking of bark. The higher dry-water ratio decreased the yield. The prior soaking of the bark also minimized the mechanical reactor feeding problems (clogging). The benefits of a screw reactor likely are that run time changes for different process conditions are flexible; it simplifies design and construction of an industrial unit for tannin production; and it saves space because of the need for fewer and smaller intermediate storage tanks.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Co-ground mineral/microfibrillated cellulose composite materials: Recycled fibers, engineered minerals, and new product forms, TAPPI Journal January 2021
ABSTRACT: When pulp and minerals are co-processed in suspension, the mineral acts as a grinding aid, allowing costeffective production of mineral/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) composite materials. This processing uses robust milling equipment and is practiced at industrial scale. The resulting products can be used in many applications, including as wet- and dry-strength aids in paper and board production.Previously, we have reported that use of these MFC composite materials in fiber-based applications allow generally improved wet and dry mechanical properties with concomitant opportunities for cost savings, property improvements, or grade developments. Mineral/MFC composites made with recycled pulp feedstocks were shown to offer at least equivalent strength aid performance to composites made using virgin fibers. Selection of mineral and fiber allows preparation of mineral/MFC composites with a range of properties. For example, the viscosity of such formulations was shown to be controlled by the shape factor of the mineral chosen, effective barrier formulations were prepared, and mineral/MFC composites with graphite as the mineral were prepared.High-solids mineral/MFC composites were prepared at 75% total solids (37% fibril solids). When resuspended and used for papermaking, these high-solids products gave equivalent performance to never-dried controls.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Numerical analysis of slot die coating of nanocellulosic materials, TAPPI Journal November 2020
ABSTRACT: Nanocellulosic coatings as a food packaging material are of commercial interest due to their nontoxic nature, renewability, and excellent barrier properties. Complex shear-thinning rheology poses challenges in designing and sizing equipment to pump, mix, and process the suspension and actual coating process. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in predicting nanocellulosic suspension flow in light of existing rheological data. We employ and compare three distinct rheological models to characterize the rheology and flow of nanocellulose suspensions through a slot die coater, where the model parame-ters are established from existing slot rheometry measurements. A volume-of-fluid (VoF) based finite volume meth-od is employed to simulate the flow in a slot die operated in an unconventional metering mode. Results with the Casson model predict the presence of unyielded regions in the flow, which was not captured using the power law model. These stagnation regions will incur coatability issues stemming from flow intermittencies and lead to poten-tial defects in the coating layer, including fracture. The results suggest that a rheological model that includes yield stress should be considered while modeling such flows. A need for better rheological data to model nanocellulosic flows, especially at high consistencies and shear rates, is also highlighted.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
The use of hollow sphere pigments as strength additives in paper and paperboard coatings—Part 2: Optimization in paperboard formulations for opacity and strength, TAPPI Journal November 2020
ABSTRACT: This report aims to summarize the efforts in testing the properties of coatings for paperboard utilizing hollow sphere pigments (HSPs). HSPs are known to effectively scatter light and replace titanium dioxide (TiO2) in architectural coating formulations. The effect of the particle size and void fraction was evaluated, along with many coating parameters, including level of addition, binder chemistry, and blends of two HSPs. The small HSPs that have optimized voids for scattering light showed equivalent strength to the TiO2-containing control. The strength data was surprising, particularly the improvement in strength for coatings containing large particle size HSPs. Because of this increase in strength, four parts of binder could be removed, which allowed for higher brightness while not compromising other properties, including hot melt glueability. These trends held true using different binder chemistries (styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic, and styrene butadiene). Upon refining the formulations further, blends of two HSPs showed further benefit.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Case study: Paper mill power plant optimization—balancing steam venting with mill demand, TAPPI Journal June 2020
ABSTRACT: Most Power departments are tasked with generating steam to support mill wide operations, generate electricity, and reduce operating costs. To accomplish these tasks, power boilers generate high pressure steam that is reduced to intermediate and low pressures for process utilization in the mill by means of steam turbine generator extraction or pressure reducing valves. The most economical method to reduce steam pressure is the use of steam turbine generators, as electricity is generated from the steam when it is reduced in pressure. Electricity that is produced by these generators provides a substantial financial benefit and helps offset overall operational costs. To achieve tangible financial gains, the mill must evaluate the overall cost of steam production and the price of electricity.The current work provides a case study of power plant optimization that evaluated electricity production and steam production costs balanced with mill steam demand. Process and cost optimization led to a significant reduc-tion in low pressure steam venting, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and reduced operating cost.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Effects of different ammonium lignosulfonate contents on the crystallization, rheological behaviors, and thermal and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer/polypropylene/ammonium lignosulfonate composites, TAPPI Journal January 2020
ABSTRACT: Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) based on reactive blending, has an excellent processing performance and characteristics and a wide range of applications. However, there are currently no reports in the literature regarding the usage of TPE in making composite boards. In this paper, EPDM, PP, and ammonium lignosulfonate (AL) were used as the raw materials, polyethylene wax was used as the plasticizer, and a dicumyl peroxide vulcanization system with dynamic vulcanization was used to make a new kind of composite material. This research studied the influences of the AL contents on the crystallization behaviors, rheological properties, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of the composites. The results showed that the AL content had a noticeable impact on the performance of the composite board. Accordingly, this kind of composite material can be used as an elastomer material for the core layer of laminated flooring.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Root cause analysis of cationic polymer additive efficiency decline in virgin and recycle containerboard mills, TAPPI Journal January 2020
ABSTRACT: It is well known that retention, drainage and strength polymers struggle to perform (if at all) in virgin containerboard mills. In-depth studies have been undertaken in this area for more than seven years, investigating the issue from all directions. A key finding of this work is that soluble lignin is detrimental to chemical efficiency. A strong correlation exists between decreased chemical efficiency and high soluble lignin. Both recycled systems and virgin systems have been studied, and this correlation holds true regardless of furnish. The primary area of concern is virgin container-board, because these mills tend to have the highest lignin levels. Some highly closed recycled mills can also build elevated lignin levels that can negatively affect chemical efficiency.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Citrus-based hydrocolloids: A water retention aid and rheology modifier for paper coatings, TAPPI Journal July 2019
ABSTRACT: The rheological and dewatering behavior of an aqueous pigmented coating system not only affects the machine runnability but also affects the product quality. The current study describes the use of natural hydrocol-loids derived from citrus peel fibers as a rheology modifier in paper coating applications. The results were compared with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in a typical paper coating system. Water retention of the coating formulation was increased by 56% with citrus peel fibers compared to a default coating, and it also was higher than a CMC-containing coating. The Brookfield viscosity of paper coatings was found to increase with citrus peel fibers. Compared to CMC, different citrus peel fibers containing coating recipes were able to achieve similar or higher water retention values, with no change or a slight increase in viscosity. Coatings were applied on linerboard using the Mayer rod-coating method, and all basic properties of paper were measured to assess the impact of citrus peel fiber on the functional value of the coatings. Paper properties were improved with coated paper containing citrus peel fibers, including brightness, porosity, smoothness, surface bonding strength, and ink absorption.