The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
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Caroline Lachance
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Simon Barnabé
Abstract
The growing environmental and health concerns associated with plastic pollution have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the impact of various types of cellulosic pulps and degree of refining on the production of thermoforming eco-friendly fiber-based materials as alternatives to plastics. By examining the influence pulp and fibers characteristics, the study aimed to correlate these factors with the two process parameters, formation time and drainage efficiency. Trays with a target dry weight of 31 g were produced using slurry consistency of 0.2 % and 0.8 % on an industrial molding machine. In this study, formation times required to achieve the target weight are varied from 0 to 42 s, influenced by pulp type, refining level, and slurry consistency showing that the longest time can affect the quality. Higher refining levels extended formation time, making it crucial to adjust slurry consistency to optimize production efficiency. Formation trials revealed that most pulps followed a logarithmic formation pattern at both consistencies. Dryness and drainage gain varied significantly across pulp types. Hardwood pulps exhibited the highest initial dryness, while alternative fibers like canola had the lowest, making them longer to dry. Recycled and mechanically pulped fibers retained more water due to fines content, further decreasing dewatering. Additionally, increased refining levels decreased both the initial dryness and the gain in dryness over equal drainage times. Since dryness directly influences drying time and energy consumption, optimizing pulp selection and refining strategies are essential for enhancing cost efficiency in thermoformed fiber production.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: Chat GPT was used to help me from french to english wordings.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Bleaching
- The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
- Mechanical Pulping
- Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
- Paper Technology
- Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
- Paper Physics
- Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
- Paper Chemistry
- Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
- Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
- Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
- Coating
- Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
- Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
- Printing
- Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
- Packaging
- The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
- Environmental Impact
- Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
- Recycling
- Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
- A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
- Lignin
- In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
- Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Bleaching
- The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
- Mechanical Pulping
- Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
- Paper Technology
- Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
- Paper Physics
- Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
- Paper Chemistry
- Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
- Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
- Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
- Coating
- Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
- Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
- Printing
- Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
- Packaging
- The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
- Environmental Impact
- Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
- Recycling
- Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
- A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
- Lignin
- In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
- Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
