Physiocochemical and Hydrodynamic Aspects of Fines and Fillers Retention

Abstract

From the results of model studies on well-characterized systems, valuable conclusions can be drawn regarding several phenomena occurring in papermaking suspensions relevant to fines and fillers retention. We have shown that long range hydrodynamic interactions are operating between small particles (such as fillers) and spheroids (such as fibers) subjected to simple shear, preventing small particles from approaching large ones to within distances where colloidal forces become important. We can expect similar effects in papermaking suspensions, resulting in very low efficiencies for the deposition of fillers or fines on fibers. The efficiency can be improved by high molecular weight polymers which adsorb on the particles and can reduce the minimum distance of approach between a filler and a fiber. From model experiments on the deposition of T102 particles on cellophane, it can be concluded that the electrostatic forces also play an important role in fines and fillers retention. Usually no deposition occurs far below a critical deposition concentration (CDC) of electrolyte, slow deposition occurs just before the CDC and fast deposition above the CDC. Charged polymers, such as cationic polyelectrolytes, are most effective in retention because they can reduce the gap between a filler and a fiber during an encounter, and they ensure that electrostatic repulsion is negligible. Resides increasing the efficiency of deposition, retention aids can also increase the bond strength between a filler and a fiber, thus preventing or minimizing the rupture of fiber-filler bonds.