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Achieve Superior Performance with TT Headbox, Tissue360º Fall/Winter 2023
Achieve Superior Performance with TT Headbox, Tissue360º Fal
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Mechanistic aspects of nanocellulose•cationic starch•colloidal silica systems for papermaking, TAPPI Journal February 2023
ABSTRACT: Optimization of a chemical additive program for a paper machine can require attention to both colloidal charges and kinetic effects. This work considered an additive program with two negatively charged substances (nanofibrillated cellulose [NFC] and colloidal silica) and two positively charged items (cationic starch and cationic acrylamide copolymer retention aid). Results were shown to depend on charge interactions; however, that clearly was not the whole story. Some findings related to cationic demand, dewatering, fine-particle retention, and flocculation among fibers were best explained in terms of at least partly irreversible complexation interactions between the charged entities. Adjustments in ratios between oppositely charged additives, their sequences of addition, and effects of hydrodynamic shear levels all affected the results. In general, the most promising results were obtained at a cationic starch level of 0.25% to 0.5% based on sheet solids in systems where the cationic starch was used as a pretreatment for NFC.
Journal articles
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Setting priorities in CNF particle size measurement: What is needed vs. what is feasible, TAPPI Journal February 2023
ABSTRACT: Measuring the size of cellulose nanomaterials can be challenging, especially in the case of branched and entangled cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). The International Organization for Standardization, Technical Committee 6, Task Group 1—Cellulosic Nanomaterials, is exploring opportunities to develop standard methods for the measurement of CNF particle size and particle size distribution. This paper presents a summary of the available measuring techniques, responses from a survey on the measurement needs of CNF companies and researchers, and outcomes from an international workshop on cellulose nanofibril measurement and standardization. Standardization needs differed among groups, with Japanese companies mostly requiring measurements for product specification and production control, and other companies mostly needing measurements for safety/regulatory purposes and for grade definitions in patents. Among all the companies, average length and width with percen-tiles (D(10), D(50), D(90)) were the most desired measurands. Workshop participants concurred that defining the location(s) on the CNF at which to measure the width and the length is an urgent and complex question. They also agreed that methods are needed for rapid particle size measurement at the nanoscale. Our recommendation within ISO is to start work to revise the definition of CNFs and develop sample preparation and measurement guidelines. It was also recommended that further research be done to reproducibly prepare hierarchical branched CNF structures and characterize them, develop automated image analysis for hierarchical branched CNF structures, and develop a classification system encompassing measurements at multiple size ranges from micro- to nanoscale to fully characterize and distinguish CNF samples.
Journal articles
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An analytical method to quantitatively determine the amount of polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) in paperboard and white water, TAPPI Journal February 2023,
ABSTRACT: Polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) is a permanent wet strength resin. When applied to paperboard, some amount of resin is retained in the sheet, and some is lost to the white water. An analytical method for quantifying the amount of PAE retained in the sheet and lost into the white water has been developed. This method hydrolyzes the PAE to adipic acid, which in turn is derivatized to diethyl adipate and quantified by pyrolysis gas chromatography•mass spectrometry (pyGCMS). In addition, the hydrolysis conditions of the PAE were studied by the Taguchi approach, and PAE material balances around the dry sheet and white water for 3 and 6 lb/ton PAE applications have been performed. The PAE resin recovery was 95.4% with 65.0% in the sheet for the 3 lb/ton PAE-charged paper-board, and the recovery was 96.7% with 36.1% in the sheet for the 6 lb/ton PAE-charged paperboard.
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Editorial: Nonwovens sector provides opportunities for professional and advanced textiles growth, TAPPI Journal February 2023
ABSTRACT: With inflation still lingering, global fiduciary regulatory agencies like the U.S. Federal Reserve are handling the issue by hiking base interest rates. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has exposed lagging investments for advanced and agile manufacturing in developed economies in the recent past. Because of this situation, governments have begun taking policy initiatives, such as boosting support for infrastructure in the United States, creating a National Mission on Technical Textiles in India, and many initiatives in the United Kingdom and European Union to boost clean energy, fight climate change, and encourage sustainable manufacturing.
Journal articles
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An analytical approach to assess the interrelation of surface properties and softness of tissue paper, TAPPI Journal February 2023
ABSTRACT: The tissue industry constantly strives for improving the overall quality of tissue paper, as customers pay more attention to special quality features when it comes to a purchase decision between different products. As producers need to optimize their processes and furnish mixtures to keep production costs low, accurate and fast methods are crucial for characterization of important tissue properties. Here, we present a method for the characterization of the tissue surface regarding roughness and describe its relation to the tissue surface softness properties, based on a sample set of dry-creped bath tissue (DCT) with different amounts of softwood (SW), hardwood (HW), and nonwood pulp (NWP). The surface of tissue is complex and consists of several overlying structural features; thus, the optical non-contact measurement principle of focus variation was used to provide robust and reliable topographical surface information. Based on the obtained 3D data, areal surface analysis was performed to determine the surface roughness of the tissue samples, which is described by the developed interfacial areal ratio (Sdr) and the power spectral density (PSD). To determine the surface softness properties (TS7) of the tissue, a widely-used tissue softness analyzer (TSA) in the industry was employed. The surface softness (TS7) and the stiffness (D) parameters of this instrument were considered for surface and structural characterization. The results of the surface roughness (Sdr and PSD) and surface softness TS7 measurements show a good linear correlation, with higher surface roughness implying a higher TS7. The presented evaluation of these aspects of tissue softness allows an objective, fast, and accurate assessment of the relevant properties in addition to standard panel tests and is also applicable to other hygiene products.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Web lateral instability caused by nonuniform paper properties, TAPPI Journal January 2022
ABSTRACT: Lateral or cross-machine direction (CD) web movement in printing or converting can cause problems such as misregistration, wrinkles, breaks, and folder issues. The role of paper properties in this problem was studied by measuring lateral web positions on commercial printing presses and on a pilot-scale roll testing facility (RTF). The findings clearly showed that CD profiles of machine direction (MD) tension were a key factor in web stability. Uneven tension profiles cause the web to move towards the low-tension side. Although extremely nonuniform tension profiles are visible as bagginess, more often, tension profiles must be detected by precision devices such as the RTF. Once detected, the profiles may be analyzed to determine the cause of web offset and weaving problems.Causes of tension profiles can originate from nonuniform paper properties. For example, by means of case studies, we show that an uneven moisture profile entering the dryer section can lead to a nonuniform tension profile and lateral web movement. Time-varying changes in basis weight or stiffness may also lead to oscillations in the web’s lateral position. These problems were corrected by identifying the root cause and making appropriate changes. In addition, we developed a mathematical model of lateral stability that explains the underlying mechanisms and can be used to understand and correct causes of lateral web instability.
Journal articles
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Microbial load and proliferation associated with various face mask types and sources during the COVID-19 pandemic, TAPPI Journal January 2022
ABSTRACT: Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, homemade face coverings were recommended as alternatives. However, the capability of alternative face coverings to proliferate microbes have not been fully documented. The current study evaluated bacterial load and proliferation associated with the use of common face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mask type-specific and surface-related bacterial load and pattern were noticeable in the study. Results indicated that roadside masks are among samples that contained relatively higher initial bacterial load. The highest number of bacterial forming colonies were observed in the inner surface of mask samples. Proliferation of microbes over time was also noticeable among the non-certified face coverings included in the study. Sterilization or washing of non-certified fabric face masks before use is recommended.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Application of ATR-IR measurements to predict the deinking efficiency of UV-cured inks, TAPPI Journal January 2022
ABSTRACT: In recent years, ultraviolet (UV)-curable ink has been developed and widely used in various printing applications. However, using UV-printed products (UV prints) in recovered paper recycling causes end-product dirt specks and quality issues. A new method was developed that can distinguish UV prints from other prints by means of attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. Application of this method could allow more efficient use of UV prints as raw materials for paper recycling.First, a mill trial was performed using UV prints alone as raw materials in a deinked pulp (DIP) process. Second, test prints were made with four types of UV inks: a conventional UV ink and three different highly-sensitive UV inks. Each print sample had four levels of four-color ink coverage patterns (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%). Next, deinkability of all prints was evaluated by laboratory experiments. Finally, each print was measured using the ATR-IR method, and the relationship between the IR spectra and deinkability was investigated. Mill trial results showed that UV prints caused more than 20 times as many dirt specks as those printed with conventional oil-based ink. There were variations in recycling performance among UV prints taken from bales used for the mill trial. Lab tests clearly revealed that not all UV-printed products lead to dirt specks. In order to clarify the factors that affected deinkability of UV prints, the print samples were investigated by lab experiments. Key findings from lab experiments include: œ The number of dirt specks larger than 250 µm in diameter increased as the ink coverage increased. œ Higher ink coverage area showed stronger intensity of ATR-IR spectral bands associated with inks. These results indicate that deinkability of UV prints could be predicted by analysis of ATR-IR spectra. œ Finally, the method was applied for assessment of recovered paper from commercial printing presses. It was confirmed that this method made it possible to distinguish easily deinkable UV prints from other UV prints. Based on these findings, we concluded that the ATR-IR method is applicable for inspection of incoming recovered paper.
Journal articles
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Over the Wire Summary, Paper360º January/February 2022
Over the Wire Summary, Paper360º January/February 2022