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Kraft pulp viscosity as a predictor of paper strength: Its uses and abuses, TAPPI Journal October 2023

ABSTRACT: For bleached kraft pulps, two factors govern paper strength: the individual fiber strength, and the bond strength that adheres the individual fibers together in the paper matrix. Inherent fiber strength is related to the length of the carbohydrate polymers, also known as the degree of polymerization (DP). Average DP (DP) is inferred by performing pulp viscosity measurements. Under certain circumstances during kraft pulping and bleaching, the average polymer lengths can be shortened, resulting in lower pulp viscosity, and may indicate fiber damage. Fiber damage typically manifests itself as a reduction in tear strength for well-bonded handsheets.This paper will review the literature on how pulp viscosity can predict paper/fiber strength and how it can be used as a diagnostic tool. It can be a means to monitor pulp quality during pulping and bleaching, as well as to alert when such operations approach a critical threshold. However, viscosity losses must be carefully and judiciously analyzed. Like most diagnostic tools, viscosity measurements can be misused and abused, which can lead to incorrect inferences about intrinsic fiber strength. This review will also cover these misuses. The overall goal is to provide the papermaker a better understanding of what pulp viscosity is, how it correlates to potential sheet strength, and what its limitations are. It will be illustrated that when pulp viscosity drops below a critical value, it will indicate an appreciable deterioration in the paper’s tear and tensile strength.

Ultrastructural Behavior of Cell Wall Polysaxxharides, TAPPI Journal April 2022

ABSTRACT: Considerable information on the ultrastructural organization of the plant cell wall and the supermolecular arragement of the cell wall components, in particular of cellulose, has been obtained with the electron microscope.

TAPPI Journal Summaries, Paper360º July/August 2022

TAPPI Journal Summaries, Paper360º July/August 2022

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.

Rise of the Machines, Paper360º March/April 2022

Rise of the Machines, Paper360º March/April 2022

TAPPI Journal Summaries, Paper360º May/June 2022

P450 RGS: A Biomarker for Assessing the Toxicity of Environmental Samples, 1995 Environmental Conference Proceedings

P450 RGS: A Biomarker for Assessing the Toxicity of Environmental Samples, 1995 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Clean Air Act 112 (r): Accidental Release Proposed Rule, 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Clean Air Act 112 (r): Accidenetal Release Proposed Rule, 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Millwide Methanol Balances: Predicting and Evaluation Haps Emissions By Utilizing Process Simulation Techniques, 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Millwide Methanol Balances: Predicting and Evaluation Haps Emissions By Utilizing Process Simulation Techniques, 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

New Directions in Federal Regulations I (Panel Discussion), 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

New Directions in Federal Regulations I (Panel Discussion), 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings