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Journal articles
Using multi-method analysis to identify challenging paper machine deposits and defects, TAPPI Journal March 2025
ABSTRACT: Based on its speed and versatility, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is the industry’s common starting point for analysis of a paper machine deposit or defect sample. However, certain contaminants and papermaking process additives cannot be precisely identified solely by infrared spectral interpretation. This lack of specificity could lead to a misinterpretation of the composition of the deposit or defect. A multi-method analysis uses data from two or more analytical techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, microbiological staining/phase contrast microscopy, pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Pyro-GC/MS), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), to produce a more specific assessment of a sample’s composition. This paper discusses the use of a multi-method analysis in deposit and defect analysis and presents several case studies that demonstrate how this comprehensive approach can often produce an interpretation result of greater conviction and value to the papermaker.
Journal articles
Filtration performance of face masks and facepiece respirators used during COVID-19 pandemic, TAPPI Journal February 2025
ABSTRACT: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has created challenges for societies, healthcare settings, businesses, and institutions. To curb virus transmission, various measures like lockdown, social distancing, hand hygiene, and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs), including face masks, have been recommended. Face masks and facepiece respirators are considered to act as barriers against microbial transmission from person to person. In this study, we selected barrier materials used during the COVID-19 pandemic that included four non-medical face masks and three facepiece respirators. Facepiece respirators were distributed by the U.S. Administration through pharmacy outlets. Results showed that facepiece respirator R95 has the highest filtration efficiency (above 99%), which remains more or less the same over different particle sizes. The N95 respirator’s filtration efficiency was lower than that of R95, but its barrier resistance was lower than that of the R95, indicating that it can be comfortably used over longer duration. Face masks were evaluated using ASTM F 3502-24 for their barrier performance. At 0.1 and 0.3 ìm particle size, domestically manufactured masks met the standard for higher performance. Interestingly, the results indicate that quality of raw materials and manufacturing standards play important roles, as is evident in domestically manufactured face mask and facepiece respirators.
Journal articles
Effects of different parameters on the morphology of electrospun cellulose acetate/polyaniline nanocomposite, TAPPI Journal February 2025
ABSTRACT: Cellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring polysaccharide. Its inherent mechanical stability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and abundant hydroxyl groups available for derivatization provide benefits in the production of fiber-based materials such as conductive fibers. Cellulose derivatives, including cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate (CA), are readily generated in the fiber form following dissolution using a variety of solvents. Electrospinning is one of the emerging technologies with an outstanding ability to regenerate fibers in the nanoscale range. Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer that is popular for its high chemical stability, nontoxicity, good processability, and stable intrinsic redox state. This study explored the fabrication of a conductive PANI/CA nanocomposite through electrospinning. Working conditions, electrospinning variables, and solution parameters were established to produce coherent PANI/CA nanofibers. The effects of varying CA concentration, amount of PANI, molecular weight of CA, and feed flowrate on the morphology of the nanofibers were investigated.
Journal articles
Comparison of the application of polysaccharide-based barrier coatings on paper using film press and spray coating, TAPPI Journal January 2025
The growing demand for sustainable packaging has spurred research into biopolymer-based solutions and their application to paper substrates. This study compares the application of low solids, high viscous aqueous solutions of alginate and chitosan on two different paper substrates using a laboratory film press coater and a purpose-built spray coating unit, with a focus on barrier performance and practical industry considerations. Key parameters investigated are air flow rate, water vapor transmission rate, and grease resistance. Results showed that due to the low solids content of the applied biopolymer solutions, film press coating required a double-layer application for coat weights exceeding 4 g/m², making it less viable for industrial application. In contrast, spray coating allowed for higher application weights in a single step. The barrier properties of spray coated samples, compared to film press coatings, varied with the paper substrate: spray coating performed better on one substrate and worse on the other. Contact angle measurement of the substrates suggested that spray coating is more suitable for a more hydrophilic substrate because of improved surface wetting. The study also identified issues with drying conditions and pinholes affecting the quality of spray coated samples, indicating a need for further research to optimize these parameters.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
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
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
Editorial: Industry coating expert Gregg Reed joins TAPPI Journal editorial board, TAPPI Journal Nov
ABSTRACT: TAPPI and the TAPPI JOURNAL (TJ) editorial staff would like to welcome a new member to the TJ editorial board, Gregg Reed, Ph.D., technical support leader at Imerys in Gray, GA. In his current position, Gregg develops new mineral and specialty coating products for paper and packaging applications and manages customer requests, including pilot trials. He also supervises the activities of technicians and chemists in the laboratory.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Influence of pallet pattern on top-to-bottom compression performance of unitized loads, TAPPI Journal
ABSTRACT: Environmental scaling factors estimate a corrugated container’s ability to withstand various conditions it will encounter during the storage and distribution process. In this project, we examined the compressive resistance of unitized loads using differing pallet stacking patterns. To simulate real-world failure scenarios in our laboratory tests, we used two different nominal board grades of single-wall C-flute regular slotted containers loaded with a plywood panel and bagged salt to direct the failure location to the bottom of the stack. Our results showed that the columnar aligned pattern provided the greatest compressive resistance and the interlocked stacking arrangement yielded the lowest of the patterns evaluated. Based on the study results, we calculated box compression retention multipliers for each pattern and compared them to scaling factors published by the Fibre Box Association.
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
Rheological behavior of magnetic pulp fiber suspensions, TAPPI Journal June 2021
ABSTRACT: This paper is focused on the rheology of magnetic pulp suspensions in absence and presence of an external magnetic field. Magnetic fibers were prepared by the lumen loading method using bleached eucalyptus fibers and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. The effect of mass consistency, temperature, concentration of magnetic fibers, and magnetic field strength on yield stress and apparent viscosity of the suspensions were investigated. In the absence of an applied field, a dependence of yield stress with consistency, as well as with the percentage of magnetic fibers present in the suspension, was found. In flow tests, all the suspensions exhibited shear-thinning behavior, showing that the viscosity is only affected by the consistency of the suspension. On the other hand, magnetorheological measurements show a negative effect of the applied magnetic field on the viscosity of the suspension.