Newsprint Paper Research Articles

The Oldest Newsprint Paper Mill Redesign and Rebuild for Energy-saving and Water-reducing in China

. Guangzhou paper was the first newsprint producer in China which achieved an circular economy and decreased the cost of production by increasing the energy conversion efficiency, increasing energy use and recovery efficiency, enhancing reuse of fresh water and reducing the quantity of fresh water for getting better economic and social benefits in both ways. The successful energy saving experience will be not only benefit of Guangzhou paper but also excellent example of other similar Chinese paper mills facing same problem.

Cellulose Nanofiber Lamination of the Paper Substrates via Spray Coating – Proof of Concept and Barrier Performance

Cellulose nanofibre (CNF) is a biorenewable and biodegradable nanomaterial and belongs to fibrous based carbohydrate polymers applied in the fabrication of various functional materials such as coating, nanocomposite, flexible electronics substrates and biomedical devices. Recently, CNF can be used as coating material for papers and paperboards to replace synthetic plastics, wax and aluminum foil which is not recyclable and also a threat to environment. The coating of CNF on the paper substrates enhances their barrier and mechanical properties. Spray coating is a newly proposed technique to deposit CNF on the paper and produce CNF laminates on the surface of paper to block their surface pores and allowing improve their barrier performance against water vapor, air and oxygen. Various concentration of CNF was sprayed on various paper substrates such as newsprint papers, packaging paper (brown paper) and blotting papers. The air permeability of CNF laminated paper substrates is completely impermeable against air. The SEM micrograph reveals that the surface pores in the paper substrates are filled with sprayed CNF and formed a barrier film as a laminate on the paper substrates. As a result, a considerable drop in the air permeability of the paper substrates was observed. Given this correspondence, spraying of cellulose nanofiber on the paper substrates allows the improvement of barrier performance and proof of concept for coating CNF on the paper and paperboard.

FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS FROM WASTE PAPER. IV. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FUNCTIONAL COMPOSITION, SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGY OF POWDER CELLULOSES ISOLATED FROM WASTE PAPER, PLANT CELLULOSES AND UNCONVENTIONAL RAW MATERIALS

A comparative study of the supramolecular structure, physico-chemical properties and morphology of powder celluloses (PCs) obtained from the waste paper of newsprint and cardboard, plant cellulose and unconventional raw materials was conducted using the methods of FTIR spectroscopy, high-resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy in the solid phase, wide-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the results of FTIR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, the functional composition of PCs is similar to that of wood PCs and matches highly purified cellulose samples. The crystallographic structure of powder samples corresponds to the structure of cellulose I. The crystallinity and transverse dimensions of crystallites are 39.4% and 40.2% and 45 Å [110] and 54 Å [110] for PC from newsprint paper and cardboard, respectively. These values considerably exceed the analogous values for the initial waste paper samples. A comparative analysis of the SEM results showed a significant similarity of PCs fibers of different origin. The results of the study of the physico-chemical properties of PCs isolated from waste paper make it possible to predict their competitive application in comparison with plant PCs.

DESIGNING A TEMPORARY COLD PROTECTIVE GEAR CONSTRUCTED BY FOLDING NEWSPRINT PAPER CONSIDERING HEAT-RETAINING PROPERTY AND RIGIDITY

AbstractDuring the cold season, the cold protective products are often short during evacuation life after a natural disaster. If evacuees can make and wear simple cold protective gears by using materials obtainable on site, it will reduce the burden on the evacuees in emergent situation. Therefore, we investigated the structure constructed by folding newsprint paper, which can improve the heat retention effect and be applied to various body shapes. Focusing on the glide reflection structure repeating a smaller chamber, the basic size was determined by experiments with reference to the accordion shape, and the experimental results indicated that the heat retention effect was significantly greater than that of a mere air layer and those of ordinary fabrics. Next, it was found that the apex angle of structure had no significant difference in the heat retention effect. Then, the dimensions of the structure were determined to maintain the air layer under the pressure of the clothes by simulation of structural analyses. Finally, we made a temporary cold protective gear that can practically cover the trunk of the body and found that the heat retention effect was significantly higher than that of unprocessed newsprint and that of accordion shape.

Investigation of the Effect of Using Activated Sludge Treated with Acetic Acid on Physical and Strength Properties of Recycled Pulp

This study aimed to scrutinize chemical treatment of Mazandaran Wood and Paper mill activated sludge with 3 % acetic acid for the manufacture of environmentally eco-friendly bio composite. In this study, the paper pulp required was obtained from the waste newsprint paper. The activated sludge was treated in a beaker for 3 min in 3 % acetic acid and then in a water bath at 75 and 100 °C for 45 and 90 min. After that, the treated activated sludge was mixed and refi ned with waste newsprint paper pulp at ratios of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %. The test specimens were prepared according to TAPPI standard and the physical properties (water absorption and porosity) and mechanical (tensile strength, tear strength, ring crush test, burst strength and folding strength) were measured. The results showed that the activated sludge treatment caused the increase in tear strength, ring crush test, burst strength and porosity as well as the decrease in water absorption, tensile strength and folding strength. FT-IR spectrum of the treated samples showed that the treatment with acetic acid strengthened and activated the functional groups on the surface of activated sludge fi bers. The activated sludge added at a level of 5 % at 100 °C for 90 min as well as at a level of 20 % at 75 °C for 45 min was more suitable than other treatments.

Anaerobic co-digestion of organic fractions of municipal solid waste: Synergy study of methane production and microbial community

The anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic fractions of municipal solid waste (OFMSWs) represents a promising solution for achieving greater landfill diversion and resource recycling. The objectives of this study were (1) to explore potential synergistic effects on methane production of co-digestion of organic MSW components with distinct levels of biodegradability and (2) to examine whether and how the inoculum source affect those synergistic effects on methane yields and kinetics. Anaerobic mono- and co-digestion of food waste (FW), newsprint paper (NP), and branches (BR) were conducted in a batch culture system inoculated with landfill leachate and anaerobic sludge under mesophilic conditions. The methane generation results showed that co-digestion of readily degradable FW with more recalcitrant lignocellulosic NP and/or BR resulted in additive effects on cumulative yield but synergistic effects on production rates (up to 22% yield increase between 10 and 15 days). This early synergism was primarily associated with the accelerated hydrolysis due to the addition of FW that promoted the growth of hydrolytic microorganisms. A 16S rRNA sequencing-based community analysis revealed that the microbial communities were primarily influenced by their inoculum and cannot explain for the observed synergy. These results suggest that when multi-component municipal waste is used as AD feedstock, the early synergistic benefits can be considered for process design and optimization.

Engineering laminated paper for SARS-CoV-2 medical gowns

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for diversity in the market and alternative materials for personal protective equipment (PPE). Paper has high coatability for tunable barrier performance, and an agile production process, making it a potential substitute for polyolefin-derived PPE materials. Bleached and newsprint papers were laminated with polyethylene (PE) coatings of different thicknesses, and characterised for their potential use as medical gowns for healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients. Thicker PE lamination improved coating homogeneity and water vapour resistance. 49 GSM bleached paper with 16 GSM PE coating showed high tensile and seam strength, and low water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). Phi-X174 bacteriophage testing revealed that paper laminated with 15 GSM coating hinders virus penetration. This research demonstrates that PE laminated paper is a promising material for low cost viral protective gowns.

News Print from Corn Stalk Fiber: Industrial and commercial Trials

Abstract The chemical composition of corn stalk as well as fiber morphology, fiber length and diameter were carried out. Furthermore, Kraft pulping process using different cooking conditions (temperature, 125 – 170oC, time, 15 - 40 min., and % alkali 9 - 12%) were done at laboratory scale. The obtained pulps were characterized with respect to %yield, %rejects, kappa number and rest alkali. Effect of chemical composition of corn stalk on yield and kappa number was discussed. The mechanical properties of hand sheet paper were explained in details, according to different cooking conditions. The high ash content and the relatively short fiber of corn stalk can attribute to positive effect with respect to bulk, opacity and the necessary strength of paper which are important properties in newspaper. Industrial trials were carried out using Pandia continuous digester(74 tons corn stalk kraft pulp was produced) and 90 tons newsprint paper (furnish: 86.5% bleached corn stalk pulp + 13.5 bleached soft wood pulp) was obtained using Furdirinier paper machine. The produced newsprint was printed and commercialized by four famous newsprint companies in Cairo – Egypt (about twenty tons for each). Comparison with the imported newsprint paper was done, the produced newsprint has better qualities with respect to opacity, and strength properties. Findings from industrial and commercialized trials in this study provide insights into new opportunities to utilize corn stalk pulp as better alternative to produce good quality of newsprint.

Access to chewable materials during lactation affects sow behaviour and interaction with piglets

We investigated how providing chewable materials to piglets during the early weeks of life affect sow behaviour, sow and piglet interaction and sow health in pens with farrowing crates.We divided 59 pregnant sows into two treatment groups: the Control group (C, n = 29) and the Rope-Paper group (RP, n = 30). Piglets in the C group had the minimum enrichment required by Finnish legislation. For the RP group, we added sisal ropes and non-glossy newsprint paper. We recorded the behaviour of sows and their litters for a four-hour period during the first 7–18 days of life of the piglets. Skin and udder damage of the sow was recorded once a week five times. Behavioural data was divided into two categories according to the age of the litters. The first group contained litters aged from 7 to 13 days (n(RP) = 22 n(C) = 22) and the second group litters aged 14 days or older (n(RP) = 24 n(C) = 24).Younger piglets (age 7–13 days) in the RP group manipulated the udder more frequently (p < 0.01) and the duration of udder manipulation was longer than in the C group (p = 0.02). Further, the RP group had more udder contact events in which 20 % or less of the piglets took part and in which less than 50 % took part (p < 0.01 for both).Older piglets (age ≥ 14 days) in the RP group touched the sows’ body more frequently (p < 0.05).Sows in the C group were standing (p = 0.01), eating (p = 0.04) and performing oral-nasal manipulation (p < 0.01) more often.In the C group, repeated measures of skin lesions differed significantly between observation days (p = 0.00), sows tending to have a higher skin lesion score in observation week 5, with a median score of 1.5 (1–3), than in observation week 4, with a median score of 1 (1–2) (p = 0.06).In conclusion, piglets that had access to chewable materials after birth made more contact with the sow during lactation. However, sows in the C groupperformed more active behaviour. The behavioural mechanisms underlying these changes are not yet clear. Further investigations of the usage of chewable materials in farrowing units equipped with crates and their effects on the behaviour of sows and piglets are therefore warranted.

Comparative Optimization of Cellulase and Laccase Enzymes in Deinking Process of Used Newspapers

The use of enzymes in the bio-deinking process of newspaper waste has promising potential. However, investigations on the concentration of enzyme combinations need to be carried out to obtain the optimum ratio of cellulase and laccase enzymes for the bio-deinking process of recycled newspapers. The mixture of the two enzymes at various ratios was used to remove the ink on paper pulp from used newspapers by mechanical disintegration method treatment and followed by the bio-deinking process in an incubator shaker. The characterization of functional groups, structures, and thermal properties of bio-deinked pulp paper was carried out by FTIR, XRD, DTG/TGA, and an analysis of the degree of brightness to the prepared paper. FTIR results confirmed three main components of papers, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The XRD results showed that the equal ratio of cellulase and laccase enzymes had an effect on a higher crystallinity index, which was 78.8% compared to those obtained from the conventional methods with a crystallinity index of 69.7%. Thermal analysis showed that the optimum combination of both enzymes contributed the most at the highest temperature where the rate of degradation decreased. Brightness analysis showed that bio-deinking had met the quality requirements for newsprint paper in SNI 7273:2008. Our findings show that the combination of cellulase and laccase enzymes at the same ratio can produce optimal bio-deinked pulp for paper fabrication with excellent characteristics in brightness, thermal, and physical properties.

Stability of lignocellulosic papers strengthened and deacidified with aminoalkylalkoxysilanes

The durability of paper documents treated with aminoalkylalkoxysilane copolymer (co-AAAS) flexible networks, as deacidifying and strengthenening agents, was studied. To this end, a 1922 lignocellulosic newsprint paper was treated with co-AAASs and characterized. Physico-chemical properties such as pH, chromatism, opacity and mechanical strength were measured shortly upon treatment and several years after. In order to better understand the role of the initial degradation state of the paper and the impact of its constituents other than cellulose (lignin, alum-rosin sizing) on the treatment efficiency, several laboratory papers were added as models. It was shown that alum-rosin sizing contributed to a decrease in pH of the most degraded treated paper over the monitoring time, whereas the strengthening effect was mostly affected by the presence of lignin. In particular, for most papers, after several years, the gain in folding endurance was the lowest in the lignin-rich ones. The breaking length of all the papers increased post-treatment and over time, independently of the paper constituents. This was attributed to the slowly progressing aminoalkylalkoxysilanes polycondensation, on the scale of years, as evidenced by Cross Polarisation – Mass Angle Spinning 29Si solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

Mechanical and morphological characteristic investigations of deinked used newsprint paper via ultra-sonochemistry method

Printed newspaper is one of the print-based media published daily in large quantities. The focus of this research is to remove the ink from used newsprint with alkaline treatment by using ultrasound sonochemistry method. Newsprint sheets collected were characterized by mechanical and morphology tests using FT-IR, XRD, tensile test and SEM. FT-IR spectra analysis shows the absorption of C=C functional groups as the main components of newspapers at 1427 and 1635 cm-1 wavelengths. The treatment with alkaline solution increased the mechanical strength properties of paper. SEM morphology analysis result shows that the surface of paper becomes more rough after ultrasound-alkaline treatment compared to paper without ultrasound treatment (conventional treatment). The crystallinity value decreased with alkaline treatment. The longer the ultrasound duration was, the lower the crystallinity degree became.

Automated sorting of recycled paper using smart image processing

Abstract Because of the cost and complexity of implementing an optical paper sorting system, the demand for an intelligent system for waste paper sorting has increased. This research focused on the development of a smart intelligent system (SIS) for recyclable waste paper sorting. The basis for selecting the regions of interests (ROIs) is the margin area of a paper object image because almost all printed documents keep the margin area intact. The paper grade is identified using a proximity search. The SIS with the HSI colour space offered maximum success rates of 99 %, 82 % and 89 %, while with the RGB model, the classification success rates were 94 %, 93 % and 98 % for white paper, old newsprint paper and old corrugated cardboard, respectively. The SIS is clearly superior to other prevailing techniques because of the faster decision making and lower cost of implementation.

De-Inking of ONP Paper by using Different Surfactants: In Dissolved Air Flotation Process

Meeting the demand of paper and paper product requirement and at the same time decreasing the availability of fibrous raw materials, keeping an eye on cost effectiveness is challenging. Thus, recycling of paper is an alternative. Corrugated box, old newspapers and office waste papers are the sources of raw materials for paper and paper product industries. Deinking is an important step for recycling of old waste writing, printing and newsprint papers. The efficiency of ink separation in the process of waste paper recycling depends on the ink properties, kind of the additives, surfactants used, age of waste papers, the printing techniques and printing conditions. In general, deinking process consumes a large amount of chemicals which makes this method expensive, pollution intensive and even quality is compromised. In this study the effectiveness of surfactants like benzene dodecyl sulphonate, lauryl benzene sulphonate and sodium carbonate for cost effective deinking process by optimizing the chemical doses has been studied. The physical strength and optical properties of the paper after deinking was also explored. The surfactant better for both physical strength properties and optical properties of paper is identified to be the sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

Functional Materials from Paper Wastes: I. From Waste Newsprint Paper and Cardboard to High-Grade Cellulose Fibers

Utilization of paper wastes as renewable resource of lignocellulosic constituents has the opportunity to promote a cleaner environment and to prepare valuable materials. This paper describes our study on an isolation of low-fiber powder cellulose from two grades of wastes as feedstocks: waste newsprint paper and cardboard wrapper through recycling including a thermal defibration, an alkali treatment with a solution of NaOH with a concentration from 0.03 to 1.00 М, bleaching with a solution of Н2О2 with a concentration from 0.8 to 2.6 М followed with an acid hydrolysis of the pretreated species with a solution of HNO3 of 1.5 and 3.0 M. The impact of the pretreatment on sizes of fibers was evaluated with stereoscopic microscopy. The powder celluloses obtained as a result of the acid hydrolysis exhibited the structure of cellulose I revealed with a WAXS method and were of a high-grade purity, according to EDXA. Sorption capacities of the powder celluloses from the waste cardboard and newsprint towards a dye methylene blue were 6.67 and 8.75 mg g–1, respectively.

KARAKTERISTIK STRUKTUR DAN SIFAT KIMIA PRODUK BIOGENIK RAYAP SCHEDORHINOTERMES SPP DARI CAMPURAN LIMBAH KERTAS KORAN DENGAN LIMBAH PENGOLAHAN TAHU

Biological activity of termites consistently generates various biogenic products depend of the type of food sources. Furthermore, the biogenic product is believed to have an important role in the improvement of soil physical and chemical properties. The purpose of this study is to determine the structure and chemical properties of biogenic products resulted from the activity of termites Schedorhinotermes spp. using newsprint paper and tofu processing wastes as food sources. Newsprint paper waste was mixed with tofu processing wastes water at a different levels, i.e. 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % (w/v) for the objective of study. Each of the mixture with weight of 18,8 g equivalent to oven dry weight was then placed in the sample container unit size 6 x 6 cm, placed at about 3 cm underground with the indicated of termite Schedorhinotermes spp activity, and covered by PVC stopper. The testing unit were left in place for about 6 weeks to allow the termite attacks. The attacked sample unit were then analyzed for their structure and chemical properties including bulk density, aggregate fraction distribution, pH, C-organic content. The soil around the sample unit were took using a 7 cm diameter ground ring to be used as a reference or comparison with biogenic structures formed by termites. The result showed that the biogenic products have better structure and chemical compared to the its surrounding soil.

Isolation and characterization of Soil Termites (Macrotermes gilvus) cellulolytic bacteria and activity determination of cellulase enzyme on newsprint substrates

The study aims to explore and identify cellulolytic bacteria of termites that have the potential to cellulose hydrolysis on newsprint into glucose. The cellulolytic bacteria are characterized by the formation of clear zones in the medium agar containing newsprint paper after 0.1% Congo red testing. The isolates that produce large clear zones are identified by the type of bacteria. Identification of bacteria morphologically in colonies, gram staining and biochemical tests. The activity of cellulose enzyme based on concentration of reducing sugar (glucose) produced from the cellulose hydrolysis on newsprint was tested by 3.5-dinitrosylicyl reagent using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that 6 cellulolytic bacterial isolates through the Congo red test, 2 isolates that have a large diameter of the clear zone are: Isolates C1 and D1 4.27 cm and 2.05 cm, respectively. Cellulase enzyme crudes of isolates C1 and D1 have an enzyme activity of 15.7 mU/mL and 2.33 mU/mL, protein concentration of 0.35 mg/mL and 1.18 mg/mL with specific activity of 45.17 mU/mg protein and 1.98 mU/mg protein. Based on the observation of the colony’s morphology in macroscopy, microscopy and biochemical test results, an isolate of C1 is the Provedencia sp and D1 isolate is the Bacillus sp.

Analysis of heat conduction inside the nip of a machine calender for the same and different roll temperatures

AbstractCalendering is a mechanical leveling and segmenting process at the final stage in many industries, like paper, printing, leather, and textile, where a thin sheet of material passes through the nips formed by two or more rolls in contact. The material composition of rolls varies for different types of calenders. Depending on the quality of products required for the end usage, the rolls can be hard or soft. Furthermore, they may be heated to a certain degree of temperature, using different heat transfer processes, such as induction, hot water passage, or heated oil passage. In this paper, the effect of roll temperature and time of contact (dwell time) on the temperature of newsprint paper in the thickness direction has been discussed using a single hard nip calender (machine calender), when the paper web is inside the calender nip formed by two rolls having the same and different temperature levels. The case of temperature gradient calendering has also been discussed.

A novel rotation generator of hydrodynamic cavitation for the fibrillation of long conifer fibers in paper production.

Refining of cellulose pulp is a critical step in obtaining high quality paper characteristics, however, this process is slow and costly especially for refining longer conifer fibers which are the preferred source for high quality paper production and give the paper its strength. In this study, we have applied a novel rotation generator of hydrodynamic cavitation for refining conifer rich pulp samples. Our results show that the device is capable of generating intense shear forces and multiple zones of developed cavitation and is successful in increasing the drainage rate of high consistency pulp (3%). The paper produced by means of the obtained pulp has higher quality because of its higher tensile index (50.5 kN m kg-1) and burst index (3 kPa m2 g-1). These physical parameters were sufficient for newsprint paper and other paper/board quality manufacture. In addition, this laboratory scale rotation generator proved to be economically efficient in comparison to the routinely employed laboratory beaters. To our knowledge, this is the first example of using hydrodynamic cavitation for the refinement of softwood fiber pulp of standard industrial consistencies (3%).

The ISO 14067 approach to open-loop recycling of paper products: Making it operational

Allocating environmental impacts within life cycle assessment (LCA) is a recognised methodological problem. Different allocation methods have been developed to fulfil the various goals of LCA studies. At present, there is neither a consensus regarding the method to be used nor a one-fits-all method for dealing with recycling in LCA. The paper discusses some of the main allocation procedures practised in the pulp and paper industry, namely those covered by ISO/TS 14067:2018, GHG Protocol/PAS 2050, and the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). All in all, the allocation method described in the ISO/TS 14067:2018 standard was considered the most appropriate to account for open-loop recycling of paper products. However, the method neither considers the number of subsequent uses of recycled fibres, nor the recycled fibre age. Yet, both of them are considered especially important in the open-loop recycling of paper products. In order to account for these aspects, the present study proposes an advanced, step-wise approach to handle allocation in LCAs accounting for the open-loop recycling of paper products. The advanced approach is based on the fibre mass flow model used to calculate the mean fibre age and the mean number of uses of paper products within the European context. The approach was validated with the data from the pulp and paper industry, particularly examining the newsprint paper grade with different contents of recycled fibre and fibre age. The paper, however, introduces all the parameters required to perform allocation based on the proposed method for other paper grades. The categpory of global warming potential was considered in the study as an illustrative example. yet the method could be applied to other impact assessment categories. The results calculated using the proposed allocation approach were compared to those obtained with the allocation methods described in the GHG Protocol/PAS 2050 and the PEF. The proposed allocation method can be used to guide further development of available standards and the product category rules, which will contribute to increased harmonisation and consistency of LCA studies in the pulp and paper sector, as well as to the enhanced practical implementation of LCA in industry.