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Numerical investigation of the effect of ultrasound on paper drying, TAPPI Journal March 2022
ABSTRACT: The paper drying process is very energy inefficient. More than two-thirds of the total energy used in a paper machine is for drying paper. Novel drying technologies, such as ultrasound (US) drying, can be assessed numerically for developing next-generation drying technologies for the paper industry. This work numerically illustrates the impact on drying process energy efficiency of US transducers installed on a two-tiered dryer section of a paper machine. Piezoelectric transducers generate ultrasound waves, and liquid water mist can be ejected from the porous media. The drying rate of handsheet paper in the presence of direct-contact US is measured experimentally, and the resultant correlation is included in the theoretical model. The drying section of a paper machine is simulated by a theoretical drying model. In the model, three scenarios are considered. In the first scenario, the US modules are positioned in the dryer pockets, while in the second scenario, they are placed upstream of the drying section right after the press section. The third case is the combination of the first and second scenarios. The average moisture content and temperature during drying, enhancement of total mass flux leaving the paper by the US mechanism, total energy consumption, and thermal effect of heated US transducers are analyzed for all cases. Results show that the application of the US can decrease the total number of dryer drums for drying paper. This numerical study is based on the US correlation obtained with the US transducer direct-contact with the paper sample. Thus, future work should include US correlation based on a non-contact US transducer.
Journal articles
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Editorial: Innovation: How useful is it?, TAPPI Journal February 2022
ABSTRACT: Innovation has become a genuine buzz word to promote one’s product or company, to highlight its strength, and to enhance its visibility. The use of words like novel, innovative, etc., help with market-ability, enhance economic strength, and elevate initial public offering (IPO) status. Genuine innovation helps with improving lifestyles, health, the environment, and the economy.
Journal articles
Magazine articles
How to use total dissolved solids measurements to evaluate the performance of diffuser washers—A mill study, TAPPI Journal April 2020
ABSTRACT: Various types of pulp washing equipment are available. Each washing device has a unique mechanical construction, and the washing principle is often a combination of dilution, thickening, and displacement washing. In this work, the performance of the pressure diffuser washer is studied. In stepwise trials, the effect of the feed and discharge consistencies on the performance of the diffuser was studied. The effect of the downward velocity of the screen on the pressure diffuser’s washing efficiency was also studied. The measurement of total dissolved solids (TDS) by a process refractometer was used as a wash loss measurement unit and the refractometer’s results were used in the calculations of standardized Nordén efficiency (E10) values. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and conductivity values were also measured and their results compared to the TDS results.The results indicated that feed consistency has a significant effect on the performance and effectiveness of the diffuser washers in the mill. It can also be stated that when the downward velocity of the screen is adjusted to too high a level, the washing efficiency of the pressure diffuser decreases. As a conclusion from the mill tests, it can be stated that even small process parameter changes can provide enhanced diffuser washing at the beginning of the washing line, which has a direct effect on the performance of post-oxygen washing.
Journal articles
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Integrated study of flue gas flow and superheating process in a recovery boiler using computational fluid dynamics and 1D-process modeling, TAPPI Journal June 2020
ABSTRACT: Superheaters are the last heat exchangers on the steam side in recovery boilers. They are typically made of expensive materials due to the high steam temperature and risks associated with ash-induced corrosion. Therefore, detailed knowledge about the steam properties and material temperature distribution is essential for improving the energy efficiency, cost efficiency, and safety of recovery boilers. In this work, for the first time, a comprehensive one-dimensional (1D) process model (1D-PM) for a superheated steam cycle is developed and linked with a full-scale three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the superheater region flue gas flow. The results indicate that: (1) the geometries of headers and superheater platens affect platen-wise steam mass flow rate distribution (3%•7%); and (2) the CFD solution of the 3D flue gas flow field and platen heat flux distribution coupled with the 1D-PM affect the platen-wise steam superheating temperature (45%•122%) and material temperature distribution (1%•6%). Moreover, it is also found that the commonly-used uniform heat flux distribution approach for the superheating process is not accurate, as it does not consider the effect of flue gas flow field in the superheater region. These new observations clearly demonstrate the value of the present integrated CFD/1D-PM modeling approach.
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Effects of a PFI refiner’s operational parameters on the swellability of recycled fiber, TAPPI Journal May 2020
ABSTRACT: This paper presents data on the effects of operational parameters (number of revolutions, linear pressure, and gap) of the PFI refiner on the swellability of recycled fiber, which was characterized by water retention value (WRV). The results showed that the increase of recycled fiber’s WRV was proportional to the number of revolutions and the linear pressure, but inversely proportional to the gap. The mathematical relation between these parameters and the fiber WRV could be described by an empirical model for gaps greater than 0.1 mm. Scanning electron microscopic images of fiber morphology showed that the basic framework of fibers could be maintained with the gap greater than 0.1 mm, but was destroyed with smaller gaps. This model provides a technical reference for quantitative control of refining treatment and an effective method for improving recycled fiber quality.
Journal articles
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Editorial: TAPPI Journal 2019 Best Research Paper runner-up focuses on persistent issue of cracking at the fold in coated papers, TAPPI Journal May 2020
ABSTRACT: TAPPI and the TAPPI Journal (TJ) Editorial Board would like congratulate the authors of the runner-up paper to the 2019 TAPPI Journal Best Research Paper Award: Seyyed Mohammad Hashemi Dajan, Douglas W. Bousfield, and Mehdi Tajvidi. Their paper: "Cracking at the fold in double layer coated paper the influence of latex and starch composition," appeared on p. 93 of the February 2019 issue. This coating research was recognized by the TJ Editorial Board for its innovation, creativity, scientific merit, and clear expression of ideas.
Journal articles
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Upscaling of foam forming technology for pilot scale, TAPPI JOURNAL August 2019
ABSTRACT: The need for production cost savings and changes in the global paper and board industry during recent years have been constants. Changes in the global paper and board industry during past years have increased the need for more cost-efficient processes and production technologies. It is known that in paper and board production, foam typically leads to problems in the process rather than improvements in production efficiency. Foam forming technology, where foam is used as a carrier phase and a flowing medium, exploits the properties of dispersive foam. In this study, the possibility of applying foam forming technology to paper applications was investigated using a pilot scale paper forming environment modified for foam forming from conventional water forming. According to the results, the shape of jet-to-wire ratios was the same in both forming methods, but in the case of foam forming, the achieved scale of jet-to-wire ratio and MD/CD-ratio were wider and not behaving sensitively to shear changes in the forming section as a water forming process would. This kind of behavior would be beneficial when upscaling foam technology to the production scale. The dryness results after the forming section indicated the improvement in dewatering, especially when foam density was at the lowest level (i.e., air content was at the highest level). In addition, the dryness results after the pressing section indicated a faster increase in the dryness level as a function of foam density, with all density levels compared to the corresponding water formed sheets. According to the study, the bonding level of water- and foam-laid structures were at the same level when the highest wet pressing value was applied. The results of the study show that the strength loss often associated with foam forming can be compensat-ed for successfully through wet pressing.
Journal articles
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Effects of different ammonium lignosulfonate contents on the crystallization, rheological behaviors, and thermal and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer/polypropylene/ammonium lignosulfonate composites, TAPPI Journal January 2020
ABSTRACT: Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) based on reactive blending, has an excellent processing performance and characteristics and a wide range of applications. However, there are currently no reports in the literature regarding the usage of TPE in making composite boards. In this paper, EPDM, PP, and ammonium lignosulfonate (AL) were used as the raw materials, polyethylene wax was used as the plasticizer, and a dicumyl peroxide vulcanization system with dynamic vulcanization was used to make a new kind of composite material. This research studied the influences of the AL contents on the crystallization behaviors, rheological properties, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of the composites. The results showed that the AL content had a noticeable impact on the performance of the composite board. Accordingly, this kind of composite material can be used as an elastomer material for the core layer of laminated flooring.
Journal articles
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The evolution of reel statistical methods, TAPPI Journal June 2019
ABSTRACT: Multiple statistical methods for calculating the variance partition analysis (VPA) of reel data have existed for decades. In the paper industry, VPA is also commonly known as reel statistics. VPA commonly consists of total variance (TOT) that is then divided into three components: cross direction (CD), machine direction (MD), and residual (RES). A common mathematical procedure is referred to as ANOVA (analysis of variance). TAPPI Standard Test Method T 545 “Cross-machine grammage profile measurement (gravimetric method)” addresses paper testing and includes the ANOVA equations that have also been used to analyze scanning data.In the 1990s, TAPPI published TIP 1101-01 “Calculation and partitioning of variance using paper machine scanning sensor measurements,” which contained simple formulas that were easy to implement and could be used by a nov-ice to generate statistics on a spreadsheet. All involved quality control system (QCS) suppliers agreed to support this common method in their QCS. TIP 1101 was recently revised, and this paper concerns the analysis of data collected from a scanning sensor in a QCS and the creation of a common method for the calculation of reel statistics by TAPPI’s Process Control Division.
Journal articles
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Wheat straw as an alternative pulp fiber, TAPPI Journal January 2020
ABSTRACT: The desire to market sustainable packaging materials has led to an interest in the use of various fiber types as a raw material. It has been suggested that the use of annual crops for partial replacement of wood fiber would result in more sustainable products. Several life cycle analyses (LCA) have been performed to evaluate these claims. These LCAs provided conflicting and contradictory results because of the local conditions and the specific pulping processes investigated. Selected LCAs are reviewed and the underlying reasons for these conflicting results are analyzed.
