The investigation conducted by the department in this area deals with the use of additives at the wet end

on the paper machine, i.e. the chemicals added to the pulp at its different stages of processing. These chemical additives can be divided into two main categories:

Process aids and performance chemicals. The most important process aids are the retention and dewatering agents that improve the retention of fine elements cellulosic fines and mineral fillers in the fibrous mat during the sheet formation. As they modify the flocculation level of the pulp suspension, they also increase the pulp drainability and then the speed of the machine. The second category of additives is used to give the paper a specific final property. Dry or wet strengthening of paper as liquid penetration can be controlled by this way. Then, chemical additives can both increase production and improve paper properties.

Nevertheless, a high degree of water system closure allied to the use of certain pulps lead to an increase in the amount of dissolved and colloidal substances. For instance, deinked pulps and associated disturbing substances negatively impact the efficiency of the wet end additives. The aim of this project, realized in the framework of a partnership (CIFRE) with the CTP, is to study the effect of the use of deinked pulps on the efficiency of conventional retention and drainage systems and internal sizing agents.
Specialty chemicals suppliers have to focus beyond traditional per- formance indicators of retention programs such as retention value, white water consistency, drainage, etc. The new focus should be on better understanding how to, within existing limitations of furnish and papermaking equipment, assist the papermaker in delivering uniform (MD and CD), properly structured in ZD sheet, with proper surface topography and surface strength so that maximum quality and runnability benefits from calendering process can be reached.

optimization & trouble shooting

Implement new technology into your mills wet-end process to reach higher efficiency and yield consistent, quality products Create new products and maximize machine capacity

put the brakes on machine downtime and off-specification products better troubleshoot problems on the paper machines Get up to speed on the challenges papermakers face due to changing fiber qualities, regulations and competitive pressures

Identify the properties of papermaking furnish and the process components and discuss how they interact to affect wet-end chemistry phenomena. Discuss possible solutions to paper machine process and paper quality problems associated with wet-end additives and arising from chemical deposits. Identify additives that can be used to change the balance of charge for purposes of process control, trouble-shooting and optimization situations. Identify the most important factors affecting first-pass retention and the rate of drainage of water from the fiber mat during paper formation. Identify classes of wet-end chemical additives that can be used to achieve paper property objectives in various grades.

Profile of people:

Chemical & Process Engineers Mill Superintendents and Department Managers Research and Development Engineers Technology and Chief Chemists VP R&D, Tech Director Process & Quality Control Technicians Account Representatives for Chemical, Machinery, Equipment Suppliers

Wet-end chemicals Product additives

Process additives

Fillers Cationic starch Internal sizing agents Dry-strength agents Wet-strength agents Dyes and color pigments Fluorescent whitening agents

Drainage agents and retention aids Pitch control chemicals Defoamers Slimicides Deposit control agents Speciality chemicals for boil out

Efficient management of the wet-end can enable improved paper machine run-ability, superior product quality and ensure the retention of performance enhancing additives. Further an understanding of Wet End Chemistry is elemental to the modern papermaking process in order to draw synergies and incompatibilities. There are practical measures available which can enhance productivity and allow the paper maker to become competitive in cost and quality both. This feature was planned to verify constant improvements to popular chemical strategies that can take pulp and paper mills to new levels of wet end control and efficiency. How Implementation of wet-end process helps to reach higher efficiency and yield consistent quality products? Discuss possible solutions to paper machine process and paper quality problems associated with wetend additives.