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Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — Fibrous substrates, TAPPI Journal September 2023
ABSTRACT: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been implemented during the finishing process of textiles such as upholstery, clothing, personal protective equipment, and sports gear to provide water resistance. Currently, PFAS are still present at quantifiable levels in consumer products and food, even though many companies have started to phase out PFAS treatment with non-toxic water repellant replacements given the possible detrimental health effects suggested by current research. This paper is a detailed review that focuses on how PFAS are implemented in textile production and sources of PFAS contamination during chemical treatments. This review also addresses current legislation on PFAS emissions and trade regulations to decrease exposure of consumers due to toxicokinetics and mechanisms of action through-out the body that are still not well understood. This paper includes a literature review on possible PFAS related health conditions shown from past research and contains suggested toxicity levels, exposure routes, duration, and pathways detailed to the best of our ability.
Journal articles
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Cross-flow separation characteristics and piloting of graphene oxide nanofiltration membrane sheets and tubes for kraft black liquor concentration, TAPPI Journal September 2023
ABSTRACT: Dewatering of weak black liquor (WBL) in the kraft cycle by evaporation is highly energy intensive. Membranes are an attractive alternative for energy-efficient dewatering, but existing commercial polymeric or ceramic membranes are either degraded in BL or have high capital costs. Our recent works have demonstrated the engineering of graphene oxide (GO) nanofiltration membranes, their stability and promising performance in BL conditions, and preliminary scale-up into sheets and tubes. Here, we describe in detail the separation characteristics of GO membrane sheets and tubes under real BL conditions and crossflow operation. Recycle-mode piloting of a GO tubular membrane showed average “production flux” of 16 L/m2/h (LMH) and high rejections of lignin (98.3%), total solids (66%), and total organic carbon (83%), with no signs of irreversible fouling identified. A corresponding GO sheet membrane produced an average flux of ~25 LMH and maintained high lignin rejection of ~97% during a slipstream pilot at a kraft mill site using WBL with ~16 wt% total solids (TS). Finally, we piloted a Dow/DuPont XUS1808 polyamide composite reverse osmosis (RO) membrane for last-mile processing of the GO nanofiltration membrane permeate. The RO membrane showed a steady state flux of 19 LMH at 65 bar and produced ~0.02 wt% TS water product, which is highly suitable for reuse in pulp washing operations in the kraft process. The results have strong positive implications for the industrial application of GO membranes in BL concentration and other related applications.
Journal articles
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Crossflow filtration of green liquor for increased pulp production, improved green liquor quality, and energy savings, TAPPI JOURNAL October 2020
ABSTRACT: A new green liquor filtration system has been installed and commissioned at the Ence pulp mill in Pontevedra, Spain. The filtration system is based on microfiltration and was developed in collaboration with the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. The patented method for efficient purification of green liquor decreases the non-process element (NPE) content by providing more efficient solids/liquid separation, reducing energy and chemical consumption in pulp mills and increasing production capacity by eliminating certain capacity bottlenecks. The process has been continuously tested at the Aspa Bruk Mill outside Askersund, Sweden, since 2013. The technology has proven to create nearly particulate-free green liquor during the purification process. The technology can also be used to polish white liquor to provide higher pulp quality.To provide for a simple and cost-effective installation, the system was designed as a skid-mounted unit that is pre-piped, instrumented, and tested before shipment. The system is modular and allows for easy expansion of capacity. This paper discusses the process design, process integration, and startup of the new system, along with experiences from the first months of operation.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Kinetics of sulfur dioxide-alcohol-water (SAW) pulping of su
Kinetics of sulfur dioxide-alcohol-water (SAW) pulping of sugarcane straw (SCS), TAPPI JOURNAL June 2017
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Pulping and bleaching of Malaysian oil palm empty fruit bunc
Pulping and bleaching of Malaysian oil palm empty fruit bunches, TAPPI JOURNAL June 2017
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Lignin value prior to pulping (LVPP): An advanced pulping c
Lignin value prior to pulping (LVPP): An advanced pulping concept, TAPPI JOURNAL October 2017
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by melamine amine cellulos
Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by melamine amine cellulose- immobilized lacasses, TAPPI JOURNAL October 2017
Journal articles
Simplified modeling of a complete rotary lime kiln at a pulp mill, TAPPI Journal February 2026
ABSTRACT: Rotary lime kilns are essential and complex components in pulp mills using the kraft process. They are primarily used to produce lime (CaO), which is then employed to make white liquor, the reagent used to separate wood fibers. To understand and improve the performance of the kiln, modeling its behavior is essential. However, the kiln operates through a complex combination of thermal and chemical phenomena. That is why a simplified approach was used to tackle this challenge. A zero/one-dimensional steady-state analysis was performed based on first principles to simplify the modeling process and reduce the need for experimental data. Additional assumptions, such as steady-state operation and the absence of a refractory lining, were introduced to further simplify the model so that it can be used for daily analysis. Moreover, the auxiliary equipment of the plant, such as the intercooler and preheat cyclone, is also modeled. The final model was validated using data from the literature and a two-month analysis of experimental measure-ments from the Burgo Ardennes lime kiln in Virton, Belgium. It shows good agreement with the available data, with a 6% deviation for the adiabatic flame temperature and a 17% average error in predicting the kiln shell outside temperature. For the fuel and lime flow rate predictions, also validated over the same two-month period, the errors were -6.6% and 0.6%, respectively.
Journal articles
Development of a packaging test method, TAPPI Journal February 2026
ABSTRACT: Innovation in packaging design will be facilitated by a simple test method to indicate whether a product is compatible with paper recycling. Three laboratories cooperated on the development of a method and used it on linerboard, coated paperboard, wet-strength paperboard, and white copy paper. This test method includes pulping and screening. The data presented here illustrate the factors affecting the results of a bench-scale test. Our observations show that a bench-scale test can give reproducible results for yield, < 5%. We also present an approach to contaminant assessment based on current published test methods. A specification with a lower limit on yield of 70% and a contaminant level of less than 5,000 particles/kg is proposed.
Journal articles
Guest Editorial: Carrying forward the tradition of fundamental research, TAPPI Journal June 2026
Since its first symposium in 1957, the Fundamental Research Symposium has evolved around fundamental research themes aimed at scientifically understanding papermaking. The symposium is organized by the Fundamental Research Committee (FRC), which is operated by the Fundamental Research Society (FRS). The unique format of the symposium, held at universities such as Oxford and Cambridge where participants stay together, fosters intensive academic exchange and collegial interaction.