Wood Science and Pulp, Paper Technology Commons^™

Press Dewatering Of Sludge With Applications Of An Electric Field, David Knudsen

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

In the paper industry today, there is a rising concern over the question of what to do with the paper mill sludge. Although in the past most of the sludge was sent to a landfill, this disposal method is becoming less and less acceptable due to increasing environmental concerns, decreasing landfill space and increasing costs.

Since sludge contains a large fraction of water, one of the alternatives is to increase the dewaterability of the sludge through the use of electrokinetic forces. Increased dewatering of the sludge would allow for more economical alternatives to sludge disposal, such as incineration, as well …

The Effects Of Washing Between Hydrogen Peroxide Bleaching Stages On Brightness Reversion Of A Spruce High-Yield Pulp, David Kaminski, Greg Semashko

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The final brightness of a bleached high-yield pulp paper product is a very important factor in determining the quality of the pulp and the product. If the brightness of this product tends to revert in time, then the quality of the product could be viewed lesser than before. Brightness reversion of high-yield pulps is the one flaw which is keeping the high-yield pulp market from really expanding in the paper industry.

High-yield pulps show economical and environmental advantages with their use in the high quality printing and copy papers market. Much research has been done to find ways to reduce …

The Effect Of Washing Between Stages On Brightness Reversion For Sodium Hydrosulfite On Unbleached High Yield Pulps, Greg Semashko

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The objective of the project is to determine the effect of bleaching with washing between stages on high yield unbleached pulp. The bleaching chemical used for this experiment is sodium hydrosulfite. Sodium hydrosulfite is a lignin preserving bleaching agent, which is necessary due to the high yield pulp. The lignin concentration in high yield pulp is extremely high compared to the normal amount found in other papers. The experiment will be done using a two stage bleaching sequence. The control sequence will consist of a direct charge of sodium hydrosulfite and the other two sequences will be done with washing …

Thermo-Chemical Conversion Of Starches Using Ammonium Persulfate, Ronald M. Englehart

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of thermal-chemical conversion of corn starch for use in pigmented paper coatings.

Thermal-chemical conversion of starch is capable of creating a wide range of starch solids and characteristics at one location with on-site conversion. It involves the use of high temperatures and pressures, along with a conversion agent (i.e. ammonium persulfate [A.P.], or a peroxide), to hydrolyze and oxidize the unmodified starches.

In this study corn starch was converted using a National Starch Company C-1 Laboratory Jet Cooker. The study was done in three phases. Preliminary work was done to …

Thermomechanical Pulp Bleaching Optimization Via Dimethyldioxirane, Roger Allen Rouleau

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

In recent years, the paper industry has received increased pressure from environmental groups to reduce both air-borne & water-borne discharges. During element-chlorine bleaching processes, absorbable organic halides are formed , some of which are considered harmful to aquatic life. To reduce absorbable organic halides, many mills are moving towards chlorine-free bleaching stages. A potential chlorine-free bleaching agent is dimethyldioxirane. Dimethyldioxirane is an intermediate produced in-situ from acetone and peroxymonosulfate. Due to the bond strain of the oxygen-oxygen bond in this cyclic peroxide, it behaves as a strong oxidizing agent.

The goal of this thesis was to determine the optimum levels …

Magnesium Oxide Use As A Pigment In Coating Formulations, Stephen O'Driscoll

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The objective of this project was to evaluate the performance of magnesium oxide as a possible pigment for use in paper coatings. The use of magnesium oxide as a pigment in coatings is not currently nor has it ever been practiced in a mill situation. The principle goal of using magnesium oxide was to increase brightness and opacity in coatings at the level of performance found with titanium dioxide at a far lower cost. The evaluation was done of the basis of rheological performance as well as optical testing. Coatings of various levels of magnesium oxide and titanium dioxide were …

Bod And Cod Loading Effects Of Repeatedly Recycled Paper Fibers, Ken Stager

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

BOD and COD are two very important and highly regulated aspects of the paper industry. The first is the biochemical oxygen demand, BOD, and it is simply the amount of oxygen that bacteria need to digest the nutrients in a wastestream. The second is the chemical oxygen demand, COD, and is the amount of oxygen required to fully oxidize all the material present in an effluent sample using hot concentrated chemicals.

One aspect of recycling that has not been discerned is the effect of repeatedly recycling paper fibers on the BOD and COD of the effluent. This is important because …

Investigating The Effect Of Multiple Recycling On The Enzymatic Improvement Of Recycled Fiber, Kraig Anthony Weber

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Through the application of enzymes, the freeness of recycled pulps can be improved; however, with the improvements in freeness, there may also be a loss of strength. As enzyme effectiveness depends on the fiber degradation and fines content of the pulp, it also. depends on the amount of recycling that the pulp has undergone.

To evaluate the relationships that exist between enzyme treatments and the number of recycles the fiber has undergone, a virgin CTMP was recycled three times. At each recycle enzymes were applied to the pulp. One leg of the experiment involved a repetitive enzyme treatment of the …

The Effect Of Fines On The Surface Characteristics Of Recycled Paper, Lawrence E. Fleck

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

With the steady increase in recycling comes an increasing need to understand the mechanisms involved with reused wood fibers. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the effects of fines on the surface characteristics of recycled paper, and to predict how an increase or decrease in fines loading might affect printing.

To meet these objectives, fines were removed from both virgin pulp and mill broke of similar composition. Each fines fraction was then reapplied to each long fraction at 0, 5, 10, and 15 percent loading by weight. British handsheets were made and evaluated for surface strength, absorbency, smoothness, …

The Use Of Dimethyldioxirane In Refiner Bleaching Of High-Yield Pulps, Michael J. Harmes

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

In the attempt to find improved bleaching chemicals for the bleaching of high-yield pulps, dioxiranes may prove to be the solution. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, which has been introduced to a refiner environment in the past, dimethyldioxirane (DMD) does not require the use of sodium silicates. This is very beneficial due to the fact that silicates have a highly undesirable side effect of causing excessive refiner plate wear.

The experimentation was constructed to determine the exact feasibility of the use of dimethyldioxirane as a refiner bleaching agent. This was completed through the comparison of the pulp strength and brightness values of …

Feasibility Of Anionic Waxy Maze Starch As A Coating Cobinder, Peter D. Yake

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This project will demonstrate the potential of incorporating a 100% waxy maze, anionic starch into a paper coating. This has been done in the past using oxidized starches as a primary binder, and has been met with a great deal of success with respect to rheological improvements as well as improved runnability in coating operations. The primary drawback to the use of oxidized starches in coatings was the negative impact that they had when introduced to the wet end of the paper machine as broke. The anionic properties of the starch decreased retention of fines and fillers on the fourdrinier …

The Use Of Speciality K-Flute As A Substitute For Common Grades Of Single Wall And Double Wall, Ron Pristash

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This study examines a new corrugated flute profile known as "K" flute. The purpose of the study was to show that K flute can maintain the same structural integrity and use significantly less paper. The main tests performed were tests for compression strength. Studying the results of compression testing, allows the designer to engineer the corrugated container to meet the performance level required. The study consists of two parts. The first part of the study examines the effect of an increase in caliper has on Edgwise Compression Testing (ECT). It was found that K flute tested 5% stronger than A …

The Effect Of Viscosity And Polymer Additives On Fluorescent Dyes In Latex Coatings, Mark P. Comensoli

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Fluorescent Whitening Agents (FWAs) are commonly used in many areas of the pulp and paper industry. FWAs are also known as Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs) and generically as fluorescent dyes. Nearly one-third of all FWAs manufactured are used in the pulp and paper industry. FWAs work by converting ultraviolet light into blue-white light in the visible region. When FWAs are used in coatings with latex binders, the fluorescent dyes have a tendency to migrate toward the basesheet during drying. This is due to mainly to the lack of suitable carrier for the dye. Previous research has shown that the addition …

The Effects Of A Surfactant On The Pulp Properties On Non-Sulfur Semichemical Pulps, Tim Schemanski

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Semichemical pulping involves both mechanical and chemical pulping techniques. In semichemical pulping the liquor is in contact with the chips for a relatively short period of time. The faster with liquor can penetrate the chips before they see mechanical action, the better the pulp properties. The effects of adding a surfactant to the liquor was studied. It was found that the anionic ethoxylated surfactant which was added at the addition rate of 5#/ton to non-sulfur semi-chemical pulping liquor increased the lignin content of the resulting pulp and lowered the tensile strength.

Characterization Of Effluent From Dioxirane Bleaching Sequences, Holly L. Dunnill

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Pulp bleaching is a multi-staged process which uses different chemicals and conditions in each stage, with washing performed between these stages. With chlorine compounds being the most widely used bleaching agents, the water from bleaching and washing stages subsequently contains a high chloride content as well as chloro-organic compounds which makes them incompatible with pulping chemical recovery processes. They are, therefore, discharged as wastewater. This leads to the need for regulations regarding the effluent quality of the wastewater. The purpose of this study is to compare effluents from various dimethyl dioxirane bleaching sequences with those of commonly used industry bleaching …

Fiber Source Characteristics And The Effects Of Recycling On Bod And Cod Effluent Levels In Corrugated Boxboard, Craig Mefford

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The topic of waste loading for recycle paper mills is an important issue to our industry today. As of last year the EPA has proposed the cluster rule, which suggests that the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) loading limits are being lowered encouraging use of lower effluent loading material. The main purposes of this thesis was to focus on the effects that recycling Korean Boxboard, American Boxboard, and high yield SW Kraft has on raw waste loading in a boardmill and to analyze the characteristics of these recycled materials. This will be accomplished by separating our …

The Effect Of Internally-Filled Pulp On Recycling, Anne Spruit

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Recycling is an area of interest for much of the industry because of all the environmental concerns with the cutting down of trees, and the pulping operations to make paper. However, virgin fibers are still desired because they make stronger paper. Virgin fibers have a higher swelling capability than recycled fibers, that accounts for better bonding. Paper's physical properties also decrease rapidly as filler is substituted for fiber. Filler impairs interfiber bonding by preventing close contact with fibers. Filler is added to paper to increase opacity and brightness. However, there is a poor retention of filler in the sheet during …

The Effect Of Light Exposure On Sizing Response, Ron W. Aulbach

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Sizing is the process by which a chemical additive provides paper with resistance to liquid wetting, penetration, and absorption. A common problem in the paper industry is size reversion, where the paper loses its ability to withstand liquid penetration. This problem has been significantly evident with the use of AKD, and becomes more of a concern as the paper industry shifts towards alkaline papermaking. Many variables have been studies however a direct correlation between the cause and effect of reversion has not been determined. One variable that has not been studies is the effect of light exposure. The objective of …

The Effects Of Base Sheet Moisture Content On Size Penetration Characteristics, Scott K. Sabourin

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This thesis was designed to determine the effects of moisture on the penetration of size solution into a paper sample. The experiment involved use of laboratory equipment and procedures to accomplish the objectives of this experiment.

Handsheets were conditioned, sized, cut, stained, and viewed under a laboratory microscope to obtain the desired results. The results from this procedure determined that the area of size deposition was dependant upon the moisture content of the paper sheet. As the moisture content of the samples increased, the size was retained more on the sample's surface as opposed to penetration into the paper web. …

The Effect Of Calcium Carbonate In The Coating Color On Gloss, Kerry L. Brenner

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

This thesis involved the study of the effects of calcium carbonate on gloss. The variables investigated were different types and levels of calcium carbonate in the coating color. Four different calcium carbonates, three ground and one precipitated, were used. The calcium carbonate/clay ratio changes from 0% carbonate/100% clay to 75% carbonate/25% clay in increments of 25. The coat weight target was 12 +/- 1 g/m2. The coating colors containing higher levels of calcium carbonate had better low shear viscosities; therefore, these coatings were able to run at the 62% solids target.

It was found that calcium carbonate decreases gloss in …

The Effect Of Drying Delay Time On Paper Coatings, Richard Bentley

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

There are many variables which impact the final properties of coated paper. One of the major variables is the drying of the coating. Drying delay time is a significant factor which affects coated sheet properties. Delay times of 0, 5, and 10 seconds were used in this trial.

The cylindrical laboratory coater (CLC) was used to apply coating to paper stock, and the coated paper was tested to determine the effects of increasing the time interval between application of the coating colour to the point when the IR dryer was turned on.

It was found that increasing drying delay time …

The Effects Of Bentonite On The Flotation Deinking Of Flexographic Printed Newspaper, Scott Andres

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Flexographic inks are rapidly gaining popularity in the printing industry for reasons of both safety and environmental concern. These relatively new water based inks, however, are presenting some very difficult challenges for traditional flotation/fatty acid deinking methods. Problems arise because water based flexo ink disperses in alkaline conditions and the resulting ink particles tend to be extremely small (0.2-1.0μm) and highly hydrophilic (water loving). One possible solution to increase deinking efficiency is the use of an organophilic clay such as bentonite during the flotation process. The objective of this project was to repulp 100% flexographic printed newspaper and deink it …

The Strength Effects Of Saturating Paper Containing Synthetic Fiber, Christopher David Berndt

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

One of the most important objectives in the papermaking process is to produce paper with good strength properties. Some specialty paper grades need strength properties which exceed those attainable when only wood fiber is present in the final product. To achieve the additional strength, various additives and fibers can be added to the furnish, or supplementary processes can be performed on the paper. The objective to this thesis was to determine the strength effects of saturating paper containing nylon stock, and to attempt to correlate the strength relationship between the two strength enhancing parameters.

To observe the effects of nylon …

Fluff Pulp Comparison, Chris W. Hutchings

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Introduction

The objective of this thesis is to examine the effects of the variables associated with the debriefing of dry lap pulp by means of a laboratory Hammermill. Two separate pulps will be utilized, a Southern Kraft and a Chemithermomechanical (CTMP) pulp.

The Effects Of The Wet Pressing Load On The Migration Pattern Of The Sizing Element, Joseph D. Gamrat

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

It has been proposed and approved to further delineate the effects that wet pressing plays on the migration pattern of a sizing element. As of this time, no in-depth study has been performed to further understand this principle, therefore the need for this research is crucial to possibly save the paper industry capital in the future.

Research was conducted to determine the ·effects that the wet pressing load had on the amount of size necessary for acceptable limitations. To accomplish this, the variables were held constant with the exception of the pressure applied to the sheet and the moisture content …

Wet Strength Resins, Todd Meyers

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Wet strength is defined as a paper which has extraordinary resistance to rupture or disintegration when saturated with water. This definition has been interpreted as if a paper sample retains more than 15% of its dry strength when wetted, it can be considered to have wet strength properties.

Wet strength resins are chemicals that aid in wet strength, and they have been around since the 1940's. These wet strength resins help to protect paper and paper products from breaking down in the presence of water and high humidity. There are many uses for wet strength resins these days, Some of …

Effect Of Retention Aids On Akd Size Response And Permanence, Jeremy Matthews

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Poor size response and size reversion have been major concerns with the use of an alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) sizing system. Poor retention of calcium carbonate fillers and fiber fines are believed to be the cause of poor size response. A number of materials, including carbonate fillers, promoters and retention aids are believed to contribute to size reversion.

The focus of this study was to determine the effectiveness of retention aids in obtaining good size response. Size permanence was also studied The performance of the retention aides were studied by preparing handsheets at five different zeta potentials.

It was determined …

Full Sequence Bleaching With Dimethyldioxirane, Daniel Krueger

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Research work to date has shown dimethyldioxirane to be a very powerful, yet highly selective oxidant. Dimethyldioxirane bleaching may become more important in the future with legislative restrictions on chlorine based bleaching agents as it contains no chlorine. Most work with dimethyldioxirane to date has concentrated on short sequence bleaching, or the use of peroxymonosulfate as a pre-treatment to improve oxygen delignification. The goal of this study was to develop a full sequence bleaching containing only dimethyldioxirane and other chlorine free bleaching agents that matched the brightness and strength characteristics of comparable chlorine dioxide based full sequences. Dimethyldioxirane was found …

Fiber-Borne And Water-Borne Chemical Contaminants, Michelle Graflund

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The main idea behind this thesis is to work with recycled paper because this is the latest trend due to the environment. Therefore, after checking into an aspect that has little research completed, the idea of the effects of chemical contaminants on sizing of paper, AKD in particular, was developed. To allow for expansion on this thesis topic, another student will be looking at the effect of chemical contaminants on sizing of the recycled paper.

The experiment contained water-borne chemical contaminants and fiber-borne chemical contaminants. Four different chemical contaminants were used including retention aid, defoamer, biocide, and wet strength. The …

The Use Of Powdered Activated Carbon Adsorption For Color Removal, Jeannine Marie Laforge

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

In this investigation, two separate carbons are evaluated to determine whether they are capable of removing color from paper mill effluent, named Mill A. The two carbons are from Westvaco and from the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant.

The experiment consisted of adding 250 mg carbon of 250 ml of effluent and determining whether, after vacuum filtration, the color was removed using a spectrophotometer. The results proved positive and color was removed in all samples, and with both carbons.

After the initial experimental procedure one of the carbons were chosen, Westvaco, and percentages of the 250 mg of carbon were taken. …