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Predicting strength characteristics of paper in real time using process parameters, TAPPI Journal March 2022
ABSTRACT: Online paper strength testing methods are currently unavailable, and papermakers have to wait for manufacture of a complete reel to assess quality. The current methodology is to test a very small sample of data (less than 0.005%) of the reel to confirm that the paper meets the specifications. This paper attempts to predict paper properties on a running paper machine so that papermakers can see the test values predicted in real time while changing various process parameters. This study was conducted at a recycled containerboard mill in Chicago using the multivariate analysis method. The program provided by Braincube was used to identify all parameters that affect strength characteristics. Nearly 1600 parameters were analyzed using a regression model to identify the major parameters that can help to predict sheet strength characteristics. The coefficients from the regression model were used with real-time data to predict sheet strength characteristics. Comparing the prediction with test results showed good correlation (95% in some cases). The process parameters identified related well to the papermaking process, thereby validating the model. If this method is used, it may be possible to predict various elastic moduli (E11, E12, E22, etc.) in the future as the next step, rather than the traditional single number “strength” tests used in the containerboard industry, such as ring crush test (RCT), corrugating medium test (CMT), and short-span compression strength test.
Journal articles
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The Shendye-Fleming OBA Index for paper and paperboard, TAPPI Journal March 2022
ABSTRACT: We are proposing a new one-dimensional scale to calculate the effects of optical brightening agents (OBA) on the bluish appearance of paper. This index is separate from brightness and whiteness indices.In the paper industry, one-dimensional scales are widely used for determining optical properties of paper and paperboard. Whiteness, tint, brightness, yellowness, and opacity are the most common optical properties of paper and paperboard. Most of the papers have a blue cast generated by addition of OBA or blue dyes. This blue cast is given because of the human perception that bluer is whiter, up to a certain limit. To quantify this effect, it is necessary to determine how much blue cast paper and paperboard have. As the printing industry follows the ISO 3664 Standard for viewing, which has a D50 light source, this also plays a very important role in showing a blue cast. Color perception is based on light source and light reflected from an object. The ultraviolet (UV) component in D50 interacts with OBA to provide a reflection in the blue region of the visible spectrum. Use of a UV blocking filter results in measurements without the effect of emission in the blue region. This difference is used in determining the OBA effect in the visible range of the paper. This equation is known as the Shendye-Fleming OBA Index.
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Temperature profile measurement applications of moving webs and roll structures with intelligent roll embedded sensor technology
ABSTRACT: An intelligent roll for sheet and roll cover temperature profiles is a mechatronic system consisting of a roll in a web handling machine that is also used as a transducer for sensing cross-machine direction (CD) profiles. The embedded temperature sensor strips are mounted under or inside the roll cover, covering the full width of the roll’s cross-dimensional length. The sensor system offers new opportunities for online temperature measurement through exceptional sensitivity and resolution, without adding external measurement devices. The measurement is contacting, making it free from various disturbances affecting non-contacting temperature measurements, and it can show the roll cover’s internal temperatures. This helps create applications that have been impossible with traditional technology, with opportunities for process control and condition monitoring. An application used for process analysis services without adding a roll cover is made with “iRoll Portable Temperature” by mounting the sensor on the shell in a helical arrangement with special taping. The iRoll Temperature sensors are used for various purposes, depending on the application. The two main targets are the online temperature profile measurement of the moving web and the monitoring of the roll covers’ internal temperatures. The online sheet temperature profile has its main utilization in optimizing moisture profiles and drying processes. This enables the removal of speed and runnability bottlenecks by detecting inadequate drying capacity across the sheet CD width, the monitoring condition of the drying equipment, the optimization of drying energy consumption, the prevention of unnecessary over-drying, the optimization of the float drying of coating colors, and the detection of reasons for moisture profile errors. This paper describes this novel technology and its use cases in the paper, board, and tissue industry, but the application can be extended to pulp drying and industries outside pulp and paper, such as the converting and manufacture of plastic films.
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Furnishing autohydrolyzed poplar weakly alkaline P-RC APMP to make lightweight coated base paper, TAPPI Journal February 2022
ABSTRACT: This work investigated the effects of autohydrolysis pretreatment severity on poplar (Populus tomentosa Carr.) woodchips used to make a type of high-yield pulp (HYP) known as preconditioning followed by refiner chemical treatment, alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (P-RC APMP). It also investigated the ratios for partially replacing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with magnesium oxide (MgO) in the high-consistency (HC) retention stage of the P-RC APMP process on the obtained HYP’s properties. The results show that the pretreatment severity of autohydrolysis at combined hydrolysis factor (CHF) = 10.77 and the 50 wt% ratio for partially substituting NaOH with MgO were the optimum conditions for making light-weight coated (LWC) base paper. Compared to the conventional P-RC APMP, the optimized P-RC APMP had similar bulk and higher tensile, burst, and tear indices, as well as opacity, but a slightly lower ISO brightness. When the optimized P-RC APMP and commercial softwood bleached sulfate pulp (SBKP) were blended to make LWC base paper, the most favorable pulp furnish was comprised of 50% optimized P-RC APMP and 50% commercial SBKP. The obtained LWC base paper handsheet had better bulk, and its other properties could also meet the require-ments of LWC base paper.
Journal articles
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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
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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
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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
Dynamic compression characteristics of fiber-reinforced shoe press belts, TAPPI Journal April 2025
ABSTRACT: Shoe press belts contribute significantly to the overall dewatering performance in the press section of a paper machine. Within the shoe press nip, the press belt faces a dynamic and multidimensional load that mainly leads to a compression of the structure. As this will cause a loss in void volume, knowledge of the dynamic compression characteristics of shoe press belts is crucial for optimized dewatering. A novel method was developed to examine the dynamic compression characteristics of grooved polyurethane press belts. Therefore, an experimental setup allowing realistic boundary conditions to test specimens was placed in a servo-hydraulic testing machine. Press belt specimens with different matrix material formulations and groove patterns were tested under varying load rates equivalent to different paper machine operational speeds. The results showed an evident sensitivity of the dynamic compression stiffness to the operational speed of the paper machine. This behavior was seen to be more sensitive to changes in the matrix material formulation than to adaptions of the groove pattern. As a result, the compression of the press belt within a shoe press nip is not only influenced by the peak pressure within the shoe press nip but also depends on the operational speed of the paper machine.
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
Effect of xylan on the mechanical performance of softwood kraft pulp 2D papers and 3D foams, TAPPI Journal March 2025
ABSTRACT: Pulp fibers are paramount in paper products and have lately seen emerging use in fiber foams. Xylan, an integral component in pulp fibers, is known to contribute to paper strength, but its effect on the strength of pulp fiber foams remains less explored. In this study, we investigate the role of xylan in both 2D handsheets and 3D foams. For a softwood kraft pulp, we enzymatically removed 1% from pulp fibers and added 3% xylan to them by adsorption, corresponding to approximately a decrease of a tenth and an increase of a third of the total xylan content. The mechanical properties of 2D fiber networks, i.e., handsheets, made using the xylan-enriched pulp improved, particularly regarding tensile strength and Young’s modulus; however, the decrease in mechanical properties of handsheets made from enzymatically- treated xylan-depleted pulp was more pronounced. In 3D networks • pulp fiber foams, much less fiber-fiber contacts formed, and thus the mechanical properties were not as much influenced by removal of xylan. Furthermore, the presence of the required surfactant on the fibers, acting as debonding agent, overshadows any positive effect xylan might have on fiber-fiber bonding. We propose that the improved mechanical properties for the sheets result from a combination of an increased number of fiber-fiber bonds and higher sheet density, while the deterioration in mechanical properties of handsheets comprising enzymatically-treated fibers is caused by the opposite effect.