Wood Science and Pulp, Paper Technology Commons^™

The Application Of Electrokinetics To Improve Sludge Dewatering, Maureen Donnelly

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The waste, or sludge, from a mill contains a significant amount of water. It is desirable to remove as much water as possible before the sludge goes to a landfill. In the past electrokinetics have been used to separate solids and liquids in the mining and clay industries. The objective of this thesis project was to determine if the application of electrokinetics can increase the drainage rate of sludge by transmitting an electric current through the sludge. On a larger scope, this application may be used in addition to another process for increased efficiency.

The experiment contained sludge placed between …

The Effects Of Ph And Soaking Time On The Repulping Of Old Corrugated Containers (Occ), Jason S. Eley

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Efforts to increase production capacity and meet recycled fiber content regulations include the utilization of recycled OCC as a fiber source. This fiber source is predominantly softwoods which are characteristically longer and stronger than hardwood fibers. However, the corrugating medium found in OCC contains mostly hardwood fibers which are shorter and more brittle than the desired softwoods. In addition, the medium contains a significant amount of lignin that interferes with fiber bonding. Therefore, the resulting paper web's strength is decreased.

The paper industry is forced to find ways to achieve maximum strength from an inferior starting material. One method under …

Smoothness Improvement Of High Speed Recycled Paperboard Through Base Coating Formula Optimization, Lance S. Mikus

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

As the trend in printing recycled paperboard shifts toward the rotogravure process, the surface smoothness of the paperboard is becoming increasingly important. Also, as recycled paperboard machine speeds increase, greater demands are being placed on the coating process and formulation to yield superior coating characteristics. The objective of this research project is to determine a base coat formulation that improves the base coating characteristics in high-speed recycled paperboard. This study examines the replacement of a traditional #1 clay with calcined clay and fine particle clay, which through their different properties alter the characteristics of the coating. The bulky calcined particles …

The Effect Of Repeated Recycling At Different Levels Of Addition (Virgin And Recycled Fiber) On The Surface Characteristic Of Paper Before And After Calendering, Jasvinder Singh Sidhu

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Extensive work has been done on the physical properties of paper with recycling, however not much has been researched on the surface properties of paper. This thesis was intended to give more information on this fairly untouched area. An extra dimension was added with the inclusion of virgin fibers. Two loops were designed, one using the conventional 100% recycled fibers and the other, with an addition of virgin pulp. 100% never dried kraft hardwood, refined at 300 CSF, was used. All handsheets were made on the Nobel and Wood handsheet-maker and repeated reslushing was performed on the British Disintegrator. No …

The Effect Of Black Liquor Carryover On Bleaching Effluent Chemical Oxygen Demand (Cod), Thomas Bishop

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This project examines the effect of black liquor carryover from the brownstock washing section on the bleach plant effluent qualities of COD. Black liquor carryover not only directly effects the organic loading to the effluent treatment plant, but also interferes with bleaching chemicals during the bleaching sequence. The goal of the project was to establish the relationship and quantify the effects of this carryover on the bleaching effluent COD. Samples of pulp were spiked with black liquor and then bleached by a D-E bleaching sequence to a specific target Kappa number. The effluents from both of the bleaching stages were …

Improvement Of Strength Properties For Currency Paper, Michael D. Schultz

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Objective

The primary objective of this thesis is to increase the strength properties of currency paper by:

(1) Varying the ratio of first cut cotton linters to flax fibers in a currency furnish. Wet and dry strength additives were included in the furnishes developed.

(2) Addition of spruce fibers to the base currency furnish of 75% cotton linters, 25% flax, a wet strength additive, and a dry strength additive.

This project was an attempt to improve the strength of a base currency furnish, developed similar to the base currency furnish used by the U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving.

The Effect Of Poly-Aluminum Silicate Sulfate Retention Of Colored Papers, Tami Frederick

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The purpose of this thesis experiment was to study the effect of Poly-Aluminum Silicate Sulfate (PASS) on the retention of colored papers. This was performed to reduce the usage of Melamine Formaldehyde based retention aids due to their negative environmental impacts as well as to reduce the usage of Sodium Aluminate, a cationic additive and pH buffer, due to it's negative fade impact on colored papers.

This was accomplished using PASS as the retention aid mechanism and caustic soda as well as soda ash as pH buffers and cationic additives. Paper was made under alkaline conditions. Colored pigments were utilized …

The Effect Of Viscosity In Beveled Blade Coating, Salih Cebe

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of several types of coating viscosity on coat weight development during the beveled blade coating process. In this study, the effects of several types of coating viscosity were experimentally investigated at the applicator roll, before and underneath the blade. Coating color viscosities were changed through two methods. The first method involved changing the temperature of coating color at constant carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) concentration, while the second method consisted of varying the CMC concentration in coating formula at constant coating temperature.

Coating viscosity had an influencing effect both on the amount of …

The Slip Velocity Of Coating Formulations Using The High-Shear Viscometer, Daniel Parker Krieger

Masters Theses

When using a cup and bob viscometer, it has long been recognized that errors in the viscosity measurement can arise from several factors, among them slip. Slip is a phenomenon which occurs when there are slipping layers in the fluid under shear, causing a non-uniform velocity gradient to be generated across the gap of the cup and bob viscometer. A layer of fluid at either the bob or cup wall moves faster than the adjoining layers, causing the slipping effect. This leads to a low viscosity calculation for the fluid.

In this study, experiments with coating formulations were conducted using …

Using Thermophilic Bacteria To Produce Enzymes For Wood Pulping, Robert A. Debelak Jr.

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The objective of this Senior Thesis Project was to determine if thermophilic (heat loving) bacteria are capable of producing enzymes to break down lignin. Currently known ligninases produced by white-rot fungi are destroyed by high temperatures, and are only useful for pre-treatments in refiner mechanical pulping. Thermophilic lignin-degrading enzymes could potentially be useful in a high temperature pulping process.

Milled wood lignin was isolated from birch to be used in bacterial cultures. The lignin would serve as the only source of carbon for the bacteria, so their growth would depend on their ability to utilize the lignin for food. Standard …

Utilization Of Paper Mill Primary Sludge, Daniel D. Schultz

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Recyclable fines and filler contribute to approximately one half the primary sludge stream, and is often disposed of instead of utilized to its fullest potential. With successful recovery of the fines and filler from the primary sludge, less raw material will be needed in the production of paper. This will decrease the cost of virgin material and the cost of disposing the sludge, while at the same time decreasing the volume of waste sent to landfills. Primary sludge was collected from a local paper mill and stored at the facilities of Western Michigan University. Solids and ash testing was done …

An Examination On The Effect Of Ph On Flotation Deinking Kinetics, Brian R. Moran

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This study was performed to determine if the flotation deinking process is first order with respect to ink particle concentration and to examine the effects that pH may have on the kinetics of ink removal flotation. A Hallimond tube laboratory flotation device was used to examine the process. Image analysis of ink particles was used to obtain quantitative results regarding flotation efficiency.

The examination verified that the flotation process follows the first order rate equation with some degree of experimental error. A trend in the effect of pH on deinking rate was also found. It was determined that the rate …

The Effects Of Drying Conditions On The Properties Of Fines, Douglas A. Schuelke

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This project was designed to study the impact of drying on the properties of fiber fines. Three different drying conditions were used: force-dry (0% moisture), force-dry (6% moisture), and air-dry (6% moisture). Fines were evaluated in the paper and in the pulp both before and after recycling.

In order to study the impact of drying on the fines, fines were removed from the virgin furnish. Characteristics of the control stock containing fines and of the control stock without fines were evaluated and served as a means of comparison. Stocks were tested for wet-web strength, drainage, freeness, and water retention value. …

The Recyclability Of Glassine Paper, Kenneth R. Vallier

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The objectives of this thesis were (1) to prove/disprove the recyclability of glassine paper (2) to find the optimal conditions for glassine recyclability (if it indeed was recyclable) (3) to study the effects 20% glassine furnish had on strength properties compared to a furnish with no glassine in it. The conditions varied in this experiment were temperature (127^oF to 190^oF), pH (7.5 to 10.5) and time (O to 60 minutes). The tests performed were the image analyzer (for glassine specks), freeness, burst, tear and tensile. The last three tests were indexed.

The results from the image …

The Effect Of Post Consumer Waste On Flexographic And Rotogravure Printing Operations, Kirk E. Jacobsson

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The impact of deinked post-consumer secondary fiber (PCW) on the printability and runnability of an uncoated recycled sheet through printing operations was studied. The PCW was substituted into the base stock (50/50 HW/SW) at levels of 25%, 50%, and 100%; and printed on web fed flexographic and rotogravure printing presses. Tensile strength, brightness, and Δ gloss decreased with the addition of secondary fiber, while opacity, roughness, and bond strength increased. Stretch, tensile energy absorption, and tonal response remained relatively unchanged as the percentage of post-consumer waste increased.

Fiber Recovery From Paper Mill Primary Sludge, Christopher J. Roschek

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Recoverable fiver is a major component of paper mill primary sludge, and it is often landfilled instead of utilized to its potential. With successful recovery of fiber from sludge, less raw materials will have to be purchased and a lesser volume will be landfilled, thus decreasing landfill disposal costs.

Primary sludge from a local paper mill was collected and stored at Western Michigan University. Solids and ash testing was done first to get background knowledge of the sludge. Fiber length was then determined using the Clark Classifier. Fiber recovery was accomplished by using a laboratory scale sidehill screen. After screening, …

Green Liquor Pulping For Corrugating Medium, Michael Thompson

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

24 pulping runs for producing corrugating medium were conducted with various chemical concentrations of sodium carbonate and sodium sulfide (green liquor). All other pulping variables were held constant. The results showed a linear relation between the amount of total alkali (on wood) and yield decrease at constant sulfidities. The results also showed the optimum sulfidity of the liquors to be 25%. The strength properties were only affected by the pulp yield and not by the amount of chemical concentration used to produce that yield.

Washing Between And After A Two Stage Hydrogen Peroxide Bleaching Sequence To Reduce Reversion And Increase Brightness, Craig Hellberg

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Even though a fairly high brightness can be obtained, mechanical pulps, such as refiner mechanical pulp, contain all of the color forming groups found in the wood. This limits its use because these groups revert back to a yellow color over time. If they could be removed by washing, RMP could be used in a wider variety of grades. This project will discuss background on the subject, followed by a design and procedures to try and accomplish this goal.

It was found that excessive washing will give a temporary increase in brightness, however no statistical change in reversion is seen.

Fountain Solution Ph And Conductivity Changes Caused By Paper Extractables During Offset Printing, Douglas E. Cox

Masters Theses

Economical and environmental issues are causing papermakers to change from the traditional acid papermaking process to neutral and alkaline papermaking processes. Also, offset printers are changing from traditional acid type fountain solutions, with or without alcohol, to: (a) neutral, (b) alkaline, and (c) acid with alcohol substitute type fountain solutions. The interaction between these new papermaking variables and fountain solutions and their effect on printability needs to be investigated.

The pH, conductivity, and contact angle changes of five different offset printing fountain solutions were monitored during offset printing press trials on acid, neutral and alkaline basestocks.

The results indicate that …

Correlating Bod And Cod In Paper Mill Effluent Streams, Lloyd M. Tuskan

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Biochemical oxygen demand (BODs) is a five-day test. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a two-hour test. Both measure the oxygen demand exhibited by organics in a wastewater sample.

It was proposed that if a significant correlation exists between BODs and COD, the faster and simpler COD test could be substituted for the more commonly used BODs test. Three effluent streams were chosen to test: a pulp mill stream, a paper mill stream, and a combined effluent stream. The correlation that existed between BODs and COD in the combined effluent and paper mill streams were 0.90 and 0.92 respectively. A correlation …

Use Of Hot-Soft Calendering To Increase Gloss And Smoothness Of Light Weight Coated Paper (Lwc), Andrew L. Tanner

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The purpose of this exercise was to investigate the use of Hot-Soft calendering as a means of pre-treatment for lightweight coated grades. The hot-soft calendering was performed at three temperatures and pressures to give nine test groups. These groups along with one non-treated sample, were coated with the same coating and under the same conditions. Testing was performed on the uncoated base stock, the coated paper, and the coated paper after supercalendering.

The results showed that the hot-soft calendering, prior to coating, was beneficial to gloss only at higher temperatures and pressures. At lower temperatures and pressures, no significant change …

Effectiveness Of Aluminum Sulfate And Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid As Carbohydrate Protectors During Oxygen Delignification, Joey L. Klinge

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Objective

The purpose of this thesis will be to examine three carbohydrate protector's effectiveness during oxygen delignification. Today, about half of the lignin can be removed from a conventional kraft pulp through the application of oxygen delignification as an initial stage in the bleaching process. More extensive delignification results in the degradation of pulp carbohydrates, influencing the final pulp qualities.¹ Carbohydrates are attacked by the decomposition of hydroperoxides catalyzed by heavy metal ions, free radicals. Carbohydrate protectors function to deactivate the free radicals, reducing the rate of attack on the carbohydrates.² This thesis is based on the above …

Steam-Explosion Of Wastepaper As A Pulping Process, Edward G. Schmitt Iii

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Recycling is a major concern in the nineties, and therefore wastepaper recycling is also in the spotlight. This concern has made it necessary to explore new ways to handle wastepaper. Steam-explosion is a possible pulping process that has the capabilities of handling grades that previously have not been used.

The effects of steam-explosion on 100% laser and Xerox printed paper were studied and the resulting optical properties determined. Chemical addition, residence time, pressure, and dispersant level were varied in the steam-explosion trials. A Morton Slush Maker was used to simulate conventional hydra-pulping for comparison with the steam-explosion pulp.

Steam-explosion removes …

The Feasibility Of Foamed Ink Use In Flexographic Printing, Anthony Malerich

Honors Theses

Flexographic and rotogravure printing are two of the three predominant printing processes; the other is offset lithography. They are very similar in that they each transfer a very fluid, low viscosity ink from an ink fountain to an engraved cylinder. Foamed ink is a completely water based liquid ink that is foamed by the introduction of air at press side, and presents numerous advantages over conventional organic solvent based and water based inks. The prime advantage is that foamed inks are a completely aqueous, environmentally safe system. Another benefit is the cost savings associated with foamed ink. Ink consumption is …

The Effect Of Wet Pressing On Filler Stratification, Patrick T. Gish

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Research was conducted to determine the effect of press loading upon filler stratification with the intention of observing the development of a stratified sheet.

Press conditions were held constant with the exception of pressure applied to the sheet. The sheet was then split and examined for filler content. The paper tested was highly refined, very moist, and of a heavy basis weight.

Results indicated a gradual trend of increased stratification with increased press loading. Filler moved toward the direction that water was leaving the sheet.

Increasing The Hardwood Content On The Furnish By Separate Refining, David K. Finn

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Introduction

It is an old papermaker's adage that paper is made in the beater. This means that the performance and the physical properties of the paper are determined by the type and the extent of the mechanical action to which the fibers are subjected before they are joined to form paper. The terms used to describe the function of refining; free beaten, wet beaten, et al are all traditionally vague, by reason of the complicated structure of the fibers and the even more complicated changes these fibers undergo during the refining process.

Supercalender Variables For Release Liner, Douglas A. Lamb

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This senior engineering design project studies the effect of increased steel roll temperature and increased sheet moisture on the supercalendering of uncoated release backing paper. Sheets were supercalendered using a Beloit Wheeler laboratory supercalender fitted with a temperature controller. The moisture of the sheets was adjusted using 20 and 80% R.H. humidity chambers.

An increase in gloss, densometer and reduction in caliper were evident with the increase of both the steel roll temperature and sheet moisture. Increased sheet moisture seemed to have little effect on the Sheffield Smoothness values. However, the increase in steel roll temperature did product improved smoothness.

The Effects Of Residual Surfactant On The Retention Of Fines, Steve L. Myers

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Research was conducted to determine if small amounts of non-ionic surfactants present in the papermaking furnish would effect fine particle retention.

The Britt Jar was used for the first part of this experiment to determine if the surfactant would affect the retention. The surfactant was tested at six different concentrations and no detrimental effects were seen.

Subsequent Britt Jar experiments were used to determine the effects of shear, and the effects of retention aids. These experiments were conducted primarily to see if they were interacting some way with the surfactant. The results showed no interaction.

The final part of the …

The Effect Of The Mixing Ratio Of Fly Ash And Paper Industry Sludge On Hydraulic Conductivity, Christine J. Lupu

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Introduction

Groundwater contamination is a large concern for everyone. Because of this many precautions are being taken to protect the groundwater. In addition, the availability of landfill area is decreasing because of the difficulty in siting new landfills due to the latest legislation. Therefore, landfill and/or design alternatives must be created to reduce the increasing cost of landfilling.

Two of the major sources of waste produced by the pulp and paper industry are wastewater treatment sludge and fly ash from the combustion of wood waste and coal. The current disposal method of these two wastes are in landfills. Alternatives are …

The Cross Flow Filtration Concept Used As A Deinking Method, Gregory E. Gourlay

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The cross-flow filter was used to deink a 70% news and 30% coated section furnish. This has never been attempted before so the main objective was to determine if it would work. The secondary objective was to find the highest operating consistency possible. The filter can be used to remove ink, fines and filler from a stock suspension. The feed, accept and effluent samples were analyzed for percent ash, brightness, clark classification, Kajanni fiber length analysis and image analysis. The effluent had a 29.81% ash compared to the feed ash of 8.32%. The accept brightness was 42.9 while the feed …