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Coatings for sustainable paper-based flexible packaging: Barrier properties and processability, TAPPI Journal November 2022

ABSTRACT: In this study, the use of waterborne barrier dispersions from trademarked BLUEWAVE Mechanical Dispersion Technology as thin coatings for paper-based flexible packaging was investigated. Prototypes were designed and examined for their performance in process, rheology, barrier, heat-seal/hot-tack, and coefficient of friction (CoF). Compositional details such as the type and amount of base resins and dispersants were found to significantly impact performances and were key to the development of new prototypes that deliver the performance profiles for implementation in paper-based flexible packaging applications.

Novel test method for measuring defects in barrier coatings, TAPPI Journal November 2022

ABSTRACT: In the last several years, activity to develop water-based barrier coatings (WBBCs) that meet challenging packaging performance requirements has increased dramatically. Cellulose-based packaging solutions can provide a more sustainable packaging option for replacing single-use plastic-based options like extrusion-based and laminated materials. An advantage of WBBCs is the opportunity to reduce the coating thickness applied, as long as the barrier requirements can be met. A challenge that must be overcome is the ability to maintain a defect and pin-hole-free coating layer after coating and drying to retain the barrier performance. Many formulation and coating parameters can affect the barrier coating layer quality; however, methods for detecting more subtle differences in these types of studies are not widely available. Work was carried out to develop a quantitative technique for detecting and measuring the quantity and size of defects in the barrier coating layer. A test method has been developed using a combination of dyed oil and image analysis to be able to characterize the imperfections in the coating surface. The use of dyed oil serves two purposes. First, it better simulates the types of materials, in this case, oils and grease, for which the barrier coating is expected to hold out. Second, it also provides contrast between the coating and failure points for testing. An image analysis technique is employed to characterize the number and size of the imperfections. For the former, it reduces the testing time required if a quality control or laboratory technician counts the dots. For the latter, it assists with judgment on the source of the root cause of the imperfection, such as base sheet defects, coating dispersion issues, or perhaps micro-blisters in the coating, as some examples.To show the benefit of this technique, several pilot coating studies were designed to see if the new technique could be utilized to detect differences in WBBC performance. Both process and chemical variables were evaluated. With refinement, it is believed this technique can be utilized in development work, as well as for a potential quality control technique for manufacturing of coated paper and paperboard products.

Common Mistakes in Root Cause Failure Analysis, Paper360º November/December 2022

The Mechanism of Bonding, TAPPI Journal September 2022

ABSTRACT: Three factors are involved in cellulose bonding--available area, contact, and hydrogen bonding.

Reliable Wet End Control in the Production Process, Paper360º September/October 2022

Fixing Just One Link Doesn’t Strengthen a Chain, Paper360º September/October 2022

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.

A comparison of five optical surface topography measurement methods 15-Jan-27

A comparison of five optical surface topography measurement methods, TAPPI JOURNAL January 2015

Over the Wire , Paper360° January/February 2015 -15JANPA10

Over the Wire, Paper360º January/February 2015

What to Expect from OSHA in 2015 . . . and Beyond , Paper360° January/February 2015 - 15JANPA16

What to Expect from OSHA in 2015 . . .and Beyond, Paper360º January/February 2015