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Journal articles
A targeted approach to produce energy-efficient packaging materials from high-yield pulp, TAPPI Journal August 2025
ABSTRACT: Unlike fossil-based plastics, wood-based packaging materials can be produced in an ecofriendly manner using wood chip residuals from sawmills and pulpwood. To produce high-yield pulp like chemithermomechanical pulps (CTMPs) for paperboard and liquid packaging, it is crucial to reduce the electric energy consumption during fiber separation. The ultimate objective is to revolutionize paperboard production by achieving a middle-layer CTMP process that consumes less than 200 kilowatt-hours per metric ton (kWh/t), significantly improving from the current 500•600 kWh/t energy demand. Optimizing the CTMP impregnation process of sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) in wood chips is crucial for achieving uniform softening, ideally at the fiber level. The properties of the fibers are significantly affected by the content of lignin sulfonates within the walls of the fiber and the middle lamellae. In this study, we employed in-house developed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques, validated by beamline measurements, to map the distribution of sulfonated lignin within fibers. It also seemed possible to enhance the surface area of lignin-rich pulp fibers while losing minimal bulk by refining them with well-optimized low consistency (LC) refining. We aimed to achieve a highly efficient separation of coniferous wood fibers by co-optimizing the sulfonation and the temperature in the preheater and chip refiner. Additionally, we explored how lignin’s softening behavior and potential crosslinking influence subsequent unit operations, including pressing, peroxide bleaching, and drying, following the defibration process. In defibration during chip refining, the maximum softening of wood fibers is preferred to maximize fiber preservation and minimize energy consumption. However, optimizing the stiffness of finished pulp fibers is preferable to reduce bulk loss during paperboard production. It can strive to optimize processes to develop stronger, lighter, and more sustainable composite packaging materials. Reducing environmental impact and electric energy can help create a more sustainable future.
Journal articles
On the design of corrugated boards: A new FEM modeling and experimental validation, TAPPI Journal August 2025
ABSTRACT: This study presents a simplified finite element modeling (FEM) approach suitable for large structures made of corrugated boards, such as customized packages, based on a homogenization method, which is combined with correction factors for internal mechanisms. The homogenization process reduces computational time by transforming flute geometries into equivalent elastic models. In large deformations and in the presence of contact for a given geometry, the effective elastic modulus in the thickness direction, as well as the effective thickness of the structure, are corrected by two statistical Weibull distributions representing the contact and buckling mechanisms in a corrugated board. The Weibull parameters are obtained via experimental analysis, and such a process is then validated. The results demonstrate that the statistical parameters (â1 = 0.14, â2 = 1.31) can be used for the simplistic representation of corrugated boards, being computationally efficient. This research contributes to the optimization of corrugated packaging design, specifically by simplifying FEM models for faster, yet equally accurate, simulations.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
Black liquor evaporators upgrade — How many effects?, TAPPI Journal April 2023
ABSTRACT: Black liquor evaporation is generally the most energy intensive unit operation in a pulp and paper manufacturing facility. The black liquor evaporators can represent a third or more of the total mill steam usage, followed by the paper machine and digester. When considering an evaporator rebuild or a new system, the key design question is how many effects to include in the system. The number of effects is the main design feature that deter-mines the economy of the system and the steam usage for a given evaporation capacity. A higher number of effects increases steam economy and reduces energy cost to a point, but additional effects also have higher initial capital cost and increased power costs. This research paper uses life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) as a method to determine the optimum number of evaporator effects for a new evaporator system. The same basic principles and method can also apply to existing evaporator rebuild projects.
Journal articles
Diffusion of Flavors in Polymers: Effect of Permeant Size an
Diffusion of Flavors in Polymers: Effect of Permeant Size and Shape, 1991 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings
Journal articles
Heat Sealing Linear Ethylene Plastomers to Ionomers or LLDPE
Heat Sealing Linear Ethylene Plastomers to Ionomers or LLDPEs, 1994 Polymers, Laminations & Coating Conference Proceedings
Journal articles
Static Control Methods in Hazardous Areas in Converting Oper
Static Control Methods in Hazardous Areas in Converting Operations, 1994 Polymers, Laminations & Coating Conference Proceedings
Journal articles
Solid-State Structure Comparison Between Standard LLDPE and
Solid-State Structure Comparison Between Standard LLDPE and Enhanced Performance LLDPE, 1995 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings
Journal articles
Electrochemical Removal of Color and Toxicity from Bleached
Electrochemical Removal of Color and Toxicity from Bleached Kraft Effluents, 1994 Environmental Conference Proceedings
Journal articles
Lincoln pulp & paper starts new bleaching process, TAPPI JOURNAL, August 2000, Vol. 83(8)
Lincoln pulp & paper starts new bleaching process, TAPPI JOURNAL, August 2000, Vol. 83(8)
Journal articles
The effect of fume on radiative heat transfer in kraft recovery boilers, TAPPI JOURNAL, July 2000, Vol. 83(7)
The effect of fume on radiative heat transfer in kraft recovery boilers, TAPPI JOURNAL, July 2000, Vol. 83(7)