Specialty Papers Research Articles

Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis treatment of an acid stage wastewater

The Weyerhaeuser Grande Prairie pulp mill produces 300,000 tons per year of bleached kraft for the tissue and specialty grade paper markets. Alberta Environmental Protection has given the mill stringent limits for Color (90 kilograms/admt) BOD (3 kg/admt), TSS (5 kg/admt), and AOX (1.5 kg/admt). Several technologies and combinations are being studied to ensure that the mill meets future requirements to minimize environmental impact including: oxygen delignification, ozone treatment, chemical coagulation, and membrane separation. The specific research objectives were to: (1) employ ultrafiltration techniques to separate the Do wastewater into various molecular size fractions and to characterize each in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) and color, (2) to quantify the ability of a UF membrane with a molecular weight cut-off of 8,000 Daltons (D) to reject TOC and color at three temperatures (20°, 30° and 40°C) and three wastewater pH levels (2.4, 5.3 and 7.0), and (3) to quantify the effect of 5 μm cartridge filtration and UF pretreatment on the flux and rejection characteristics of a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. The following summarizes the results of this research. 1) Chemical characterization after separation showed that 59% of the TOC is comprised of molecules with a molecular size of less than 1,000 D but, only 20% of the color is due to these molecules. 2) Increasing the processing temperature in the range 20 to 40°C positively impacted permeate flux rate, however, water quality was not significantly affected. 3) UF processing at pH 7.0 above the pKa (5.3), increased the permeation rate but at a wastewater pH below (2.4), the converse was true. 4) Pretreatment by either 5 μm filtration or UF followed by RO yielded a permeate equal in quality, however, permeate flux rates were higher with UF treatment.

Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis treatment of an acid stage wastewater

The Weyerhaeuser Grande Prairie pulp mill produces 300,000 tons per year of bleached kraft for the tissue and specialty grade paper markets. Alberta Environmental Protection has given the mill stringent limits for Color (90 kilograms/admt) BOD (3 kg/admt), TSS (5 kg/admt), and AOX (1.5 kg/admt). Several technologies and combinations are being studied to ensure that the mill meets future requirements to minimize environmental impact including: oxygen delignification, ozone treatment, chemical coagulation, and membrane separation. The specific research objectives were to: (1) employ ultrafiltration techniques to separate the Do wastewater into various molecular size fractions and to characterize each in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) and color, (2) to quantify the ability of a UF membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of 8,000. Daltons (D) to reject TOC and color at three temperatures (20°, 30° and 40°C) and three wastewater pH levels (2.4, 5.3 and 7.0), and (3) to quantify the effect of 5 µm cartridge filtration and UF pretreatment on the flux and rejection characteristics of a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. The following summarizes the results of this research. 1) Chemical characterization after separation showed that 59% of the TOC is comprised of molecules with a molecular size of less than 1,000 D but, only 20% of the color is due to these molecules. 2) Increasing the processing temperature in the range 20 to 40°C positively impacted permeate flux rate, however, water quality was not significantly affected. 3) UF processing at pH 7.0 above the pKa (5.3), increased the permeation rate but at a wastewater pH below (2.4), the converse was true. 4) Pretreatment by either 5 gm filtration or UF followed by RO yielded a permeate equal in quality, however, permeate flux rates were higher with UF treatment.

Designing corporate strategy with system dynamics: A case study in the pulp and paper industry

AbstractWe describe the use of system dynamics tools and processes to assist a major integrated forest products company develop its strategy. The firm had recently acquired a major pulp and paper mill and had entered a new market, the specialty paper business. However, despite substantial investment, the mill was losing money, contrary to expectations. We drew on established strategic frameworks, using system dynamics to integrate the data generated by traditional analyses. Through internal and external interviews, archival data, site visits, and analysis of the market place, we develop a representation of management's collective mental model, showing the feedback processes they believed would lead to success in the specialty market. We then develop a dynamic hypothesis, explicated in the form of causal loop diagrams, to explain the failure of the firm's strategy to yield profitable operation for the mill. We show how management underestimated a variety of side effects of the new strategy, both at the market level and in the mill. These side effect feedbacks undercut the intended effect of the new strategy. We describe the theory, data, and process, including current steps the firm is undertaking to implement the results emerging from the study.

新型フォーマ・スピードフォーマＭＢ 新しい脱水概念に基づく次世代のフォーマー

One of the most significant advance in fine paper forming has been the shift from fourdriniers to hybrid formers, which enable curl and formation to be much better controlled than on fourdriniers. But both fourdrinier and hybrid formers suffer from free surface instabilities which increase with speed. Paper quality and runnability often start to suffer at speeds lower than their limitations.On the other hand, Gap formers have been used for news and specialty fine paper grades because of higher speed potential and better control of curl than hybrid formers. However, gap formers have limitations of paper grades owing to limited drainage capacity.This paper will introduce “Speed-Former MB”, which has been developed as the latest roll and blade gap former concept to obtain the best solution for much improved fine paper forming.

Ocean Drilling Program: Recent Highlights and Future Expeditions

During the past year, exploration of the deep ocean floor through scientific ocean drilling has yielded important results with respect to evolution of ocean crust and continental margins and paleoceanography. This paper describes the Ocean Drilling Program's (ODP's) scientific and technical achievements during its ninth year of field operations and discusses areas of future study.

PHOTOSYNTHETIC PATHWAYS OF HESPERALOE FUNIFERA AND H. NOCTURNA (AGAYACEAE): NOVEL SOURCES OF SPECIALTY FIBERS.

Hesperaloe funifera and H. nocturna are currently being studied as potential new sources of fibers for specialty papers. This study investigated canopy architecture and light interception in H. funifera, and gas exchange in both species. H. funifera is an acaulescent rosette species with stiff, upright leaves. Mean leaf angle for 3-year-old plants was 70° from horizontal, and more than 90% of the leaf surface was at angles greater than 50°. Vertical orientation of leaves reduced seasonal variation in light interception and midday light interception during summer months. High leaf angles are interpreted as an adaptation to arid habitats that could reduce this species' suitability for cultivation in more humid areas. Both H. funifera and H. nocturna had leaf-tissue water contents and mesophyll-succulence values intermediate between previously investigated Agavaceae known to be either C3 or Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants. Both species proved to have CAM, however. Gas exchange characteristics varied with leaf age, with older leaves having higher assimilation rates, greater water-use efficiency, and a higher proportion of nighttime CO2 uptake. Interestingly, these older leaves had mesophyll succulence values closer to those of typical C3 species. These Hesperaloe species can thus be characterized as nonsucculent CAM plants. Both species showed CO2 uptake rates of 5-8 μmol m-2 sec-1 expressed on a total-surface-area basis and 10-18 μmol m-2 sec-1 expressed on a projected-leaf-area basis. Expanded cultivation of species possessing CAM in marginal areas has been recommended recently; the physiological studies reported here along with previous studies of their economic botany identify these Hesperaloe species as good crop candidates for dry regions.

Photosynthetic Pathways of Hesperaloe funifera and H. nocturna (Agavaceae): Novel Sources of Specialty Fibers

Hesperaloe funifera and H. nocturna are currently being studied as potential new sources of fibers for specialty papers. This study investigated canopy architecture and light interception in H. funifera, and gas exchange in both species. H. funifera is an acaulescent rosette species with stiff, upright leaves. Mean leaf angle for 3-year-old plants was 70° from horizontal, and more than 90% of the leaf surface was at angles greater than 50°. Vertical orientation of leaves reduced seasonal variation in light interception and midday light interception during summer months. High leaf angles are interpreted as an adaptation to arid habitats that could reduce this species' suitability for cultivation in more humid areas. Both H. funifera and H. nocturna had leaf-tissue water contents and mesophyll-succulence values intermediate between previously investigated Agavaceae known to be either C3 or Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants. Both species proved to have CAM, however. Gas exchange characteristics varied with leaf age, with older leaves having higher assimilation rates, greater water-use efficiency, and a higher proportion of nighttime CO2 uptake. Interestingly, these older leaves had mesophyll succulence values closer to those of typical C3 species. These Hesperaloe species can thus be characterized as nonsucculent CAM plants. Both species showed CO2 uptake rates of 5–8 μmol m-2 sec-1 expressed on a total-surface-area basis and 10–18 μmol m-2 sec-1 expressed on a projected-leaf-area basis. Expanded cultivation of species possessing CAM in marginal areas has been recommended recently; the physiological studies reported here along with previous studies of their economic botany identify these Hesperaloe species as good crop candidates for dry regions.

Biotower Pilot Study Results for a Photographic and Specialty Paper Manufacturer

Schoeller Technical Papers, Inc. (Schoeller), which manufactures photographic and other specialty papers, is located in Pulaski, New York. The wastewater treatment system consists of a primary clarifier and two settling lagoons. Secondary treatment using a biotower was proposed to meet the new New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) discharge limits for BOD and TSS. The effluent from each basin is discharged directly to the Salmon River, at an approximate average flow of 1.6 million gallons/day (mgd). A biotower pilot study was performed to evaluate the suitability of a biotower treatment process for treating the total effluent from Schoeller's facility. The pilot study was used to select the media for the full-scale biotower and to confirm the design loading for the full-scale biotower, which proceeded in parallel with the pilot study due to the schedule constraints. Two pilot systems were operated to compare a conventional cross-flow and vertical media. Test data were collected to evaluate the performance of each pilot treatment system at a range of loading conditions and to develop the design loading information for the full-scale plant. The pilot units were operated for a period of 10 months. BOD concentrations to the pilot units averaged 58 mg/l with a peak of 210 mg/l. Approximately 80% of the BOD was soluble. BOD loadings averaged 21 lb BOD/day/1,000 cubic feet with a peak of 77 lb BOD/day/1,000 cubic feet. Both pilot units achieved excellent BOD removals exceeding 75%, with average effluent soluble BOD concentration less than 10 mg/l and average effluent TSS concentrations of 12 mg/l. The two media achieved comparable performance throughout most of the pilot study.

Mountain environments: An assessment

The celebrated 1972 Stockholm environmental conference focused attention on the condition of the world's environment. A twenty year retrospective summary is provided by the introduction and specialty papers on all facets of mountain society and habitat relationships. Theories, models and paradigms that guided mountain research are critically examined. Specific attention is given to the application of the ecology paradigm. Contemporary discoveries and developments about resource management in mountains are elucidated. Assessments of the mountain environment, including wildlife habitat, tourism and recreation, forests, hazards, deforestation, food plant biodiversity, risk and hazard, are provided by the specialty articles. These papers were prepared for the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Intraspecific variation in fiber properties inYucca elata andHesperaloe funifera (Agavaceae)

Yucca elata andHesperaloe funifera possess long, thin fibers that have potential for making specialty papers. The objective of this study is to examine patterns ofintraspecific variation in fiber properties in these two species. InYucca elata most of the variation in fiber length is found within populations where fiber length is highly correlated with leaf length. In contrast, inHesperaloe funifera there is significant variation between populations and random variation in fiber lengths within most populations. Within-plant variation inHesperaloe was also examined. Fiber length does not vary between leaves of different ages but does vary within leaves. Fibers from the base of the leaf are shorter and wider than those from the middle and distal sections; fibers from distal sections are narrowest.

Fiber properties of several species of agavaceae from the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico

Hard fibers are tissues obtained by decorticating leaves of various monocots, including sisal and abaca. These fibers have traditionally been used in cordage applications (rope, burlap, etc.), but they are also pulped and used in the paper industry for making specialty papers including currency, tea bags, and other products requiring high tensile strength. We examined fiber properties of several genera of Agavaceae from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico to determine their potential for paper making. Leaf samples of species ofAgave, Dasylirion, Hesperaloe, Nolina, and Yucca were macerated and fiber cell length, width, and wall thickness were measured. Several species ofHesperaloe andYucca have fibers that are as long or longer (>3 mm) and narrower (<20 µ) than those of sisal. Species ofAgave, Dasylirion, and,Nolina have shorter fibers (mostly 1.5 mm). Species ofHesperaloe andYucca would appear to be most suitable for paper making.

Adhesion and its ten commandments

Despite the fact that retention has been widely discussed in many specialty papers, there is still a lack of information regarding it. The author of the following article happens to have been both a designer of orthodontic adhesives for a major manufacturer and a principal scientist of a Fortune 200 company (in charge of adhesion projects like the substitution of riveting through bonding for airplanes and advanced composites metal/plastics). Based upon his experience, he's trying to relate knowledge which is common in the bonding industry to the needs of the orthodontist.

印刷用塗工紙の最近の技術 ＩＩ コーター（塗工機） Ｉ

In the 2nd Report, I would like to introduce the recent trends of various types of coating machine for printing papers other than that of pure blade type.While the coating machine of pure blade type has been the mainstream for the production of coated papers, other types of coating machine such as air knife coater, rod coater and roll coater have now been highly evaluated once again for the production of specialty papers because of their own peculiar performances that can not be realized by the pure blade type. The improvements toward higher speed runnability and larger control range of coat weight have put spurs to this extensive utilization.The hydro-bar as a new means of metering is also described.

Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), food, feed, fuel, and fiber resource

Arrowroot biomass and processing residues were evaluated as as a feed, fuel and fiber resource. Ensiled aerial biomass and coarse and fine arrowroot processing residues contained 10.8–21.1% crude protein; 11.1–30.2% crude fiber; 3.8–17.0% ash; and an in vitro dry matter digestibility of 38.5–60.3%. Theoretical yields of 0.27 and 1.60 l of methane at standard temperature and pressure per liter of rhizome wash water and starch-settling water were calculated, respectively. Fuel alcohol production potential from yeast-supplemented aerial biomass and coarse residue were identified. Laboratory pulping of coarse residue was performed. The coarse residue has qualities that may be suited to tear-resistant specialty grade papers, such as wrapping paper and bags. The utilization of arrowroot by-products may lead to increased cultivation of this species as a food, feed, fuel and fiber resource. By-product utilization will also reduce environmental pollution presently resulting from direct discharge of unused by-products.

Chemical and Technical Progress in the Dyeing of Paper

Originally paper was dyed with selected basic and acid textile dyes. Now, based on intensive research, speciality paper dyes have been developed which meet the very high colouristic, technical and ecological requirements.

Some Trials in Specialty Papers

Some Trials in Specialty Papers

Pulp and Paper Mills in Japan (54)

Iwabuchi Mill, Honshu Paper Co., Ltd., manufactures mainly specialty tissue paper ; cigarette paper, copying paper, letter paper, light-grade publishing paper, etc.This mill, which is located in Fujikawa-cho, Shizuoka Pref., central part of Japan, started up in 1918 to manufacture cigarette paper, and now has 4 paper machines and a converting plant. Its prodution is 90 tons per day of specialty tissue paper.The mill site area is 54, 000m2 and the number of employees is about 300.The waste water from the mill is treated by an activated sludge process, flotation equipment, and a sludge incinerator with a fluid bed dryer. Flue gas is treated by a wet scrubber.

Pulp and Paper Mills in Japan (43)

Takasago City, located at the mouth of the Kako River-about 20 km west of Kobe, used to be a traditional port town, but has made a remarkable progress as an industrial city as well in the past decades.The mill's history dates back in 1901, only three years after the company's foundation (1898). Since its origin, Takasago Mill has undertaken development of several specialty papers and is still characterized now as a specialty paper mill among Mitsubishi's sister mills. with its one cylinder machine, seven fourdriniers, and five coaters, the mill manufactures 217 tpd of papers including 120 tpd carbonless copy paper, tracing paper, cast-coated paper, capacitor tissue, etc.The mill ground covers 13, 000 sq. m in eastern part of Takasago City and has about 600 employees.Waste water of the mill is discharged to the Inland Sea after sedimentation treatment. Stack gas is desulfurized by a Magnesium Process.

Pulp and Paper Mills in Japan (47)

Miyakojima mill of Jujo Paper Co., Ltd., which started its operation in 1913, is located at the northeast of Osaka City.The mill, since its origin, has continued to produce various kinds of high grade specialty paper, most of which are light-weight, for example, cigarette paper, India paper, back carboncopying paper and glassine paper.This mill has 5 paper machines and the monthly paper production is 2, 150 metric tons.The mill site area is about 65, 000 m2 and the employees are about 400.

Pulp and Paper Mills in Japan (35)

Tokushu Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd., founded in 1926, is presently numbered among the most unique paper makers in Japan. It has two mills, one in Mishima and the other in Gifu. Mishima Mill is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture and Gifu Mill introduced here is situated in Gifu Prefecture, which is one of the most famous forest arears in Japan.The mill, which has five paper making machines, produces more than one thousand variations of fine papers depending on customer's requirements. The current paper production is 1, 000 metric tons per month. These speciality papers have provided good appearance and satisfaction as artistic printing paper for users in Japan, as well as overseas'.The mill has about 25, 000m2 site and 250 skilled employees.