| 1. |
- Abdulgadir, Alamin, et al.
(author)
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Performance Simulation of a Composite Filter Material Containing Mechanical Pulp Fibers, Microfibrillated Cellulose, and Cellulose Nanofibers
- 2022
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In: Proceedings of the International Mechanical Pulping Conference. ; , s. 160-
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Nonwoven fibrous materials with reticular support of an interconnected fiber network and a tortuous airflow pathway have been commonly used in filtration applications. To meet the criteria of filter efficiency and performance, the filter materials are recommended to contain different types of fibers such as mechanical pulp fibers, microfibrillated cellulose, cellulose nanofibers, and other polymer or synthetic fibers with a range of dimensions, i.e., length and diameter. Cellulose fibers in filter media possess irregular and complex structures with hollow or collapsed lumen structures owing to their refinement or pulping method. The development of an appropriate filter media model requires information on actual fiber characteristics. In this study, a simulation method was used to investigate the complex microstructures of filter media. The physical parameters such as fiber wall thickness, diameter, length, cross-section shapes, and curliness were obtained from fiber analyzers and scanning electron microscopy. Based on the experimental findings, GeoDict database comprising different types of common fiber models was constructed. 3-Dimensional fibrous models corresponding to the wet-laid binderless filter material were generated. Using the GeoDict modules, the pore size distributions, average pore sizes, air permeability, pressure drop and initial filter efficiency simulations were performed. The simulation results appear to be in close agreement with the experimental results. The incorporation of cellulose nanofibers resulted in reduced average pore sizes and air permeability of the filter material, thus enhancing the initial filter efficiency. The filter media developed a biobased material derived from pulp fibers for advanced applications such as medical facemask, and air filtration purposes.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Afewerki, Samson, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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Sustainable Design for the Direct Fabrication and Highly Versatile Functionalization of Nanocelluloses
- 2017
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In: Global Challenges. - Weinheim : Wiley. - 2056-6646. ; 1:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study describes a novel sustainable concept for the scalable direct fabrication and functionalization of nanocellulose from wood pulp with reduced energy consumption. A central concept is the use of metal-free small organic molecules as mediators and catalysts for the production and subsequent versatile surface engineering of the cellulosic nanomaterials via organocatalysis and click chemistry. Here, organoclick chemistry enables the selective functionalization of nanocelluloses with different organic molecules as well as the binding of palladium ions or nanoparticles. The nanocellulosic material is also shown to function as a sustainable support for heterogeneous catalysis in modern organic synthesis (e.g., Suzuki cross-coupling transformations in water). The reported strategy not only addresses obstacles and challenges for the future utilization of nanocellulose (e.g., low moisture resistance, the need for green chemistry, and energy-intensive production) but also enables new applications for nanocellulosic materials in different areas.
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| 4. |
- Alimohammadzadeh, Rana, et al.
(author)
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Improving the mechanical properties of CTMP fibers by combining synergistic organocatalytic/polyelectrolyte complex surface engineering with sulfite pretreatment
- 2022
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In: Proceedings of the International Mechanical Pulping Conference. ; , s. 149-
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Fabrication of paper-based packaging materials is increasing and the challenge is developing a sustainable process to manufacture the materials that can compete with plastics. Employing stronger fiber in production of fiber-based materials improves the efficiency of fabrication process by using a reduced amount of biomass. Cationic starch is a well-known polysaccharide that has been introduced to paper and paperboard fibers to improve the mechanical properties of lignocellulosic fibers. The polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayer method has been popularized as a new and interesting technique to enhance the adsorption of cationic starch on the fiber for improving the strength properties of chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), chemical and kraft pulps. We have shown in our previous work that the synergistic combination of organocatalysis and PE complexes improved the mechanical properties of CTMP and TMP. In this work, we chose to expand this concept by integrating it with low-dose sulfite pretreatment of wood chips in preparation of CTMP. Thus, CTMP produced by initial sulfite pre-treatment was next surface engineered by synergistic combination of organocatalysis and PE complexes using organic acids as catalysts. The CTMP pulps, which contains 0.1-0.24 wt.% sulfur, produced by our novel pulp-engineering strategy shows a dramatic strength increase (Z- strength: up to 100 %) as compared to no surface engineering. While only sulfite pre-treatment and PE-complex surface engineering were able to improve the strength properties, it was only when the organic catalysts was present that the highest strength improvements were reached. Thus, a clear synergistic effect of the catalyst was observed.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Comparison of mechanical pulps from two stage HC single disc and HC double disc - LC refining
- 2012
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In: Appita journal. - 1038-6807. ; 65:1, s. 57-62
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A mechanical pulping line consisting of high consistency (HC) double disc (DD) and low consistency (LC) refining was compared with a two stage single disc (SD) high consistency twin refiner line. The purpose of this study was to evaluate specific energy consumption and pulp properties. The two different process solutions were tested running similar Norway spruce wood supply. At similar tensile index and freeness, the DD-LC concept reduced the electric energy consumption by 400 kWh/adt compared with the traditional two-stage SD-SD system. Pulp characteristics of the two refining concepts were compared at tensile index 47 Nm/g. Fibre length was reduced more after DD-LC refining than after SD-SD refining. Specific light scattering coefficient was higher after DD-LC refining than SD-SD refining, while the development in second stage refining was better for SD-SD pulp than for DD-LC pulp. Shive level was significantly lower for DD-LC pulp than for SD-SD pulp.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Andersson, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Effect of long fibre concentration on low consistency refining of mechanical pulp
- 2012
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In: Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal. - 0283-2631 .- 2000-0669. ; 27:4, s. 702-706
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of long fibre concentration on loadability and pulp properties during LC refining of mechanical pulp. Long fibre concentration was adjusted to three different levels by screen fractionation of the pulp. The three pulps were refined in a single disc pilot scale LC refiner at similar process conditions. Increased long fibre concentration supported a larger refiner gap and resulted in less fibre cutting at a given specific energy consumption. The higher long fibre concentration probably contributed to a stronger fibre network that maintained a larger refining gap at certain specific energy consumption. Increased long fibre concentration also enabled a higher tensile index increase in the LC refiner at certain fibre length reduction. The study supports a process combining LC refining with screen fractionation, where the long fibre fraction is recycled to the refiner feed. This enables a higher loadability and a more effective utilisation of the LC refiner. By using this technology, overall specific energy consumption can be reduced if a larger share of the refining is performed in LC rather than HC refining.
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| 8. |
- Andersson, Stefan
(author)
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Low consistency refining of mechanical pulp : process conditions and energy efficiency
- 2011
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The thesis is focussed on low consistency (LC) refining of mechanical pulp. Theresearch included evaluations of energy efficiency, development of pulpproperties, the influence of fibre concentration on LC refining and effects of rotorposition in a two-zoned LC refiner.Trials were made in mill scale in a modern TMP line equipped with an MSDImpressafiner for chip pre-treatment, double disc (DD) first stage refining and aprototype 72-inch TwinFlo LC refiner in the second stage. Tensile index increasedby 8 Nm/g and fibre length was reduced by 10 % in LC refining at 140 kWh/adtgross specific refining energy and specific edge load 1.0 J/m. Specific lightscattering coefficient did not develop significantly over the LC refiner.The above mentioned TMP line was compared with a two stage single disc highconsistency Twin 60 refiner line. The purpose was to evaluate specific energyconsumption and pulp properties. The two different process solutions were testedin mill scale, running similar Norway spruce wood supply. At the same tensileindex and freeness, the specific energy consumption was 400 kWh/adt lower in theDD-LC concept compared with the SD-SD system. Pulp characteristics of the tworefining concepts were compared at tensile index 47 Nm/g. Fibre length was lowerafter DD-LC refining than after SD-SD refining. Specific light scattering coefficientwas higher and shive content much lower for DD-LC pulp.The effects of sulphite chip pre-treatment on second stage LC refining were alsoevaluated. No apparent differences in fibre properties after LC refining werenoticed between treated and untreated pulps. Sulphite chip pre-treatment iniiicombination with LC refining in second stage, yielded a pulp without screeningand reject refining with tensile index and shives content that were similar to nonpre-treated final pulp after screening and reject refining.A pilot scale study was performed to investigate the influence of fibreconcentration on pulp properties in LC refining of mechanical pulps. MarketCTMP was utilised in all trials and fibre concentrations were controlled by meansof adjustments of the pulp consistency and by screen fractionation of the pulp. Inaddition, various refiner parameters were studied, such as no-load, gap and baredge length. Pulp with the highest fibre concentration supported a larger refinergap than pulp with low fibre concentration at a given gross power input. Fibreshortening was lower and tensile index increase was higher for long fibre enrichedpulp. The results from this study support the interesting concept of combiningmain line LC refining and screening, where screen reject is recycled to the LCrefiner inlet.It has been observed that the rotor in two-zoned refiners is not always centred,even though pulp flow rate is equal in both refining zones. This leads to unequalplate gaps, which renders unevenly refined pulp. Trials were performed in millscale, using the 72-inch TwinFlo, to investigate differences in pulp properties androtor positions by means of altering the pressure difference between the refiningzones. In order to produce homogenous pulp, it was found that uneven plate gapscan be compensated for in LC refiners with dual refining zones. Results from thedifferent flow rate adjustments indicated that the control setting with similar plategap gave the most homogenous pulp.
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| 9. |
- Andersson, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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The effect of rotor position on pulp properties in a two-zoned low consistency refiner
- 2012
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In: Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal. - 0283-2631 .- 2000-0669. ; 27:3, s. 525-530
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Earlier studies have shown that plate gaps are sometimes unequal in two-zoned low consistency refiners and that unequal gaps render unevenly refined pulp. It is also known that optimisation of plate gap in low consistency refining leads to improved energy efficiency. In this work, trials were made in mill scale in a modern TMP line equipped with a prototype 72 inch TwinFlo low consistency refiner in second stage. The study was designed to investigate the development of pulp properties from different rotor positions by means of altering the outlet flow rate ratio. The specific energy consumption was calculated for each refining zone and setting, based on flow rate and temperature increase. In order to produce homogenous pulp, it was found that uneven plate gaps need to be compensated in low consistency refiners with dual refining zones. Results from the different flow rate adjustments indicated that the control setting with similar plate gap gave the most homogenous pulp. However, further studies are needed to find an adequate rotor control strategy. The temperature increase in each refining zone seems to correlate well with the applied specific energy consumption in each refining zone.
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| 10. |
- Berg, Jan-Erik, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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LC Refining Intensity In The Light Of Forces On Fibres
- 2014
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In: International Mechanical Pulping Conference, IMPC 2014. - Espoo : Paper Engineers' Association (PI).
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this investigation was to find new approaches to evaluate the performance of a full sized two-zoned low-consistency refiner i.e. a refiner with two stators and one rotor in between. Data from a paper mill producing TMP from Norway spruce was used in order to find a possible way to calculate the power split between the two zones. An assumption of equal amount of fibres captured between overlapping bars was found successful in order to develop equations for the power split. The equations predicted equal power in both zones at equal disc gaps. The power was found to correlate approximately linearly with the disc gap. The power split was essential to know for calculating refining intensity expressed as specific edge load and forces on fibres in the two zones. The reduction in fibre length was about 5% at 0.17 mm disc gap corresponding to 0.03 N force on fibres and 0.7 J/m specific edge load. Disc gap, force on fibres and specific edge load was found to predict the fibre shortening with approximately equal sufficiency upon changes in power and flow rate through the refiner.
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