Band 35, Heft 4

This review deals with the evolution of bio-based packaging and the emergence of various nanotechnologies for primary food packaging. The end-of life issues of packaging is discussed and particularly the environmental problems associated with microplastics in the marine environment, which serve as a vector for the assimilation of persistent organic pollutants in the oceans and are transported into the food chain via marine and wild life. The use of biodegradable polymers has been a primary route to alleviate these environmental problems, but for various reasons the market has not developed at a sufficient pace that would cope with the mentioned environmental issues. Currently, the biodegradable plastics only constitute a small fraction of the fossil-based plastic market. Fossil-based plastics are, however, indispensable for food safety and minimization of food waste, and are not only cheap, but has generally more suitable mechanical and barrier properties compared to biodegradable polymers. More recently, various nanotechnologies such as the use of nanoclays, nanocellulose, layer-by-layer technologies and polyelectrolyte complexes have emerged as viable technologies to make oxygen and water vapor barriers suitable for food packaging. These technological developments are highlighted as well as issues like biodegradation, recycling, legislation issues and safety and toxicity of these nanotechnologies.

Scaling caused by sodium carbonate and sodium sulphate salts is a common problem during black liquor evaporation and mills currently have no proper tools to monitor or follow it up. The method proposed enables automatic evaluation of scaling rates and behaviours, together with washing performance, by using measurements that are already available at most mills, such as the boiling point elevation and the overall heat transfer coefficient. The method identified the scaling correctly in most cases, normally >90 %, although fast and sudden scaling proved to be challenging; its performance was also dependent on the quality of the data used. Historical data from three mills was evaluated and it was found that the scaling rate generally increased at higher concentrations of black liquor: one of the mills had almost no scaling below 70 % dry solids content. Another mill, however, deviated from this trend and had significant problems with fast and sudden scaling in one effect at around 60 % dry solids content. The correlation of process parameters revealed that this scaling was triggered, to a large extent, by the absence of tall oil brine, which is a side stream from the production of tall oil that is normally fed to the evaporators.

This paper presents a model for design optimization of pulp mill steam utility systems subject to variations in energy prices and steam demands. A Scandinavian Kraft pulp mill is used as case study to investigate investment opportunities in lignin extraction and new turbines. The model enables solutions to be identified that are more flexible than the solutions that would have been identified with a corresponding model using, for example, annual average values for key input data. The results from the case study show that lignin extraction has a potential to contribute to flexibility in pulp mill electric power production under certain conditions provided that the mill invests in both lignin extraction and condensing turbine capacity. However, the potential electric power production flexibility will vary over time. In the studied mill, with a capacity increased to around 1.3 million tonnes/a of pulp, it is estimated to vary between 15 and 30 MW. Furthermore, investment in new condensing turbine capacity only seems to be attractive if electricity prices that are considerably higher than the spot prices of recent years are assumed. Such prices may occur if there is a clear value of tradable electricity certificates or if future electricity prices rise significantly.

Effect of using ozone before elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching of oxygen delignified wheat straw pulp produced following soda-anthraquinone pulping on bleaching effluent and pulp properties was studied. The effluent generated during bleaching of pulp contains high amount of adsorbable organic halogens (AOX), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and highly toxic chlorophenolic compounds. This study is aimed to utilise green chemistry approach during bleaching of one of the abundantly used agro residue wheat straw for improving the quality of bleaching effluent and pulp properties. Introducing ozone stage before ECF bleaching resulted in significant reduction of chloriphenolic compounds like chlorocatechols by 48.9 %, chloroguaiacols by 33.3 %, chlorovanillins by 28.4 % and chlorophenols by 26.7 % in the effluent compared to those of control. Incorporation of ozone before ECF bleaching BOD, COD, AOX and colour were reduced by 40.0 %, 41.1 %, 46.7 % and 57.8 %, respectively, as compared to control. Optical properties like brightness and whiteness of the pulp bleached using ozone were also improved by 2.5 units and 4.0 units, respectively as compared to that with control.

Bleaching of unbleached and oxygen delignified pulps from nineteen non-wood plants has been evaluated in elemental chlorine free bleaching. Chlorine dioxide charge (kappa factor 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25) and temperature (70 and 85 °C) in the delignification stage (D) were varied. Chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) charge and temperature exhibited lower kappa number and higher brightness after alkaline extraction (EP) stage. High temperature ClO 2 delignification (D HT ) exhibited higher final pulp brightness. The final brightness of wheat straw pulp reached to 90 % after D 0 /D HT (EP)D 1 bleaching, while banana pseudo stem pulp showed the worst bleachability. Residual hexeneuronic acid contents in final pulp from most of the non-wood plants were lower and exhibited 1–2 % higher pulp brightness in D HT process than D 0 process. Oxygen delignified pulp and D HT process discharged lower COD load.

The extraction of lipophilic wood extractives from pulp and paper process waters proves to be a challenging task, due to harsh and alternating process and sample conditions. This study has determined the potential use of polymeric sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and compared to classical silica-based reversed-phase packed columns, with polymeric hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) cartridges being the sorbent with the most potential. Recovery functions were obtained with an internal standard mixture representative for the main lipophilic wood extractive groups, which are fatty acids and alcohols, sterols, sterol esters and triglycerides. The impact of pH, sample volume and sample matrix, expressed as TOC and cations, on the retention behavior of lipophilic extractives during SPE of industrial samples were determined with polymeric HLB sorbent. High variations in the composition of pulp mill matrices led to different optimal extraction conditions. Thus, a new SPE protocol was developed, which bypasses matrix interferences and omits the loss of analytes due to sample preparation. The method is applicable to different pulp mill effluents with large discrepancies in pH and sample matrices, resulting in recoveries >90 % with RSD <5 % for all lipophilic wood extractives.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in fibre properties with high (HC)- and low consistency (LC) refining of TMP and determine how these contribute to tensile index. Two process configurations, one with only HC refining and another with HC refining followed by LC refining were evaluated in three TMP mainline processes in two mills using Norway spruce. An increase in tensile index for a given applied specific energy was similar for all LC refiners in the three lines, despite differences in the fibre property profiles of the feed pulps. Compared with only HC refined pulps at a given tensile index, HC+LC refined pulps had greater fibre wall thickness, similar fibre length, strain at break and freeness, but lower light scattering coefficient, fibre curl and external fibrillation. The degree of internal fibrillation, determined by Simons’ stain measurements, was similar for both configurations at a given tensile index. The results indicate that the increase in tensile index in LC refining is largely influenced by a decrease in fibre curl and in HC refining by peeling of the fibre walls. Compared at a given tensile index, the shive content (Somerville mass fraction) was similar for both HC+LC and HC refining.

A high resolution rotary encoder and a piezo electric force sensor are implemented in a 16-inch laboratory-scale low consistency refiner to explore the effect of plate gaps on bar-force profiles. The sensor replaces a short length of a stator bar and measures normal and shear forces applied during the passage of each rotor bar. The rotary encoder data is used to locate the rotor bars relative to the stator bar in which the sensor is located. Previous work with this type of force sensor focuses primarily on the distribution of the maximum force measured during the passage of each rotor bar over the sensor or bar passing event, BPE . In this work, force profiles for bar passing events are registered to the position of rotor bars relative to the stator bar in which the sensor is located. These registered force profiles are measured for a range of plate gaps and two different pulp furnishes. The angular reference provided by the encoder makes it possible to generate mean force profiles. As force data for individual BPEs is highly variable, these mean force profiles have potential to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms of mechanical refining. For large gaps, there is a late peak in the force profiles that occurs toward the end of the bar passing event. For gaps that are less than the critical gap , below which fiber cutting occurs, there is an early peak in the force profiles that occurs at the start of the bar passing event. It is hypothesized that the early peak represents the corner force and, therefore, that corner force is causal in the onset of fiber cutting. To explore this hypothesis, a model is presented connecting corner force and friction force to the progression geometric variables during the bar passing event such as the bar edge length engaged at any point in the bar passing event and the area covered by the rotor bar on the force sensor at any point in the bar passing event.

The objective for this work was to investigate the possibility to use a pressure screen equipped with a micro-perforated screen basket to produce a fine fraction from bleached chemical pulp. Trials were performed with unrefined bleached chemical hardwood pulp, and with unrefined and refined bleached chemical softwood pulp. The effect of feed concentration, feed flow, and volumetric fine fraction flow was evaluated. The difference between the fine fraction (i. e. the particles passing the screen) and the feed was analysed by studying the fibre morphology. The results showed that high feed concentration was positive for both the fine fraction concentration and the separation efficiency. A higher fine fraction concentration was also obtained when using hardwood pulp, which was explained by the shorter fibre length. Refining of the pulp prior to the fractionation proved beneficial, as a larger share of the refined pulp passed the screen, resulting in a twice as high concentration of the fine fraction when compared to unrefined pulp.

This study examined the use of Plantago psyllium seed husk flour as paper additive with the aim of improving the properties of cellulose sheet. The husk flour was added in 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt% and 30 wt% to the cellulose suspensions and its effect on the handsheet properties was studied. The results showed that the direct addition of husk flour highly improves the mechanical properties of the handsheets like tensile index (with up to 400 %), burst index (with up to 600 %) and tear index (with up to 1200 %). Cobb and contact angle tests with distilled water showed that the handsheets containing husk flour are more hydrophobic compared to the unmodified handsheets. The Cobb-Unger and contact angle tests with oil revealed that the additive reduces the oil absorbency of the handsheets as well, at the highest by 86 %. Additionally, the water vapor and especially the air barrier properties were improved. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant capacity test showed that the modified handsheets had free radical scavenging properties. The direct addition of Plantago psyllium seed husk flour can be a promising, easy and green method to improve the mechanical and barrier properties, oil and water resistance of cellulose sheets.

Wood processing residue, as an essential forest resource, is underestimated in the industrial applications. With the development of pulping technology, fiber quality and cost control have become the important prospects. It is very crucial to investigate the influencing factors of pulping, designed to reveal the relationship between fiber separation and physical performances. In this study, a range of effect factors of large-scale pulping process, including wood species, pretreatment, mechanical conditions, and post-bleaching treatment, were comprehensively investigated. The results illustrated that the industrial pulping process affected the dimensions of the fibers, their surface morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability. The separated positions of the fibers were determined collectively by the mechanical temperature, time, and wood species. In addition, mild bleaching could effectively increase the crystallinity index, accessibility of the hydroxyl groups, and water retention values. However, it exerted a negative influence on the thermal stability. Further, chemical-assisted-refinement can replace higher temperature and prolonged ones to obtain pulp fibers with high quality while consuming less energy. Improved knowledge of how the industrial affects the fiber separation of a wood matrix and pulp quality is required as a basis for the development of the pulp and paper industry.

Paper has a high value of culture, history and scientific research as the cultural carrier of historical inheritance. However, with the passage of time and the change of environment, many paper files are aging and damaged. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out the protection of paper archives. Chitosan, a natural material, has a good compatibility with paper fibers. In this paper, chitosan (CS) was modified by epoxy cyclohexane (CHO) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) to prepare CS-CHO-g-PMMA emulsion. CS-CHO-g-PMMA was applied to paper protection, and the effects of CS-CHO-g-PMMA on heat aging resistance, reversibility and acid-base resistance were investigated. In order to improve the mechanical strength of paper, CS-CHO-g-PMMA and phosphate ester starch (HPDSP) were blended to determine the optimum ratio. The results showed that the degradation rate of paper sample was slowed down obviously and the coating had certain reversibility. Acid-base resistance experiment showed that CS-CHO-g-PMMA could effectively resisit corrosion of external acid-base to protect the paper. The best combination ratio between CS-CHO-g-PMMA and HPDSP was: m (CS-CHO-g-PMMA): m (HPDSP) = 5:2. Under this compound ratio, the performance indexes of the paper met the requirements, conforming to the “repair as old, keep the original” and other requirements.

The influence of metal ions, Ca2+{\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}} and Mg2+{\mathrm{Mg}^{2+}}, on wood pitch retention at pH 8 was studied by investigating the pitch content of TMP-papers using both short- and long-column gas chromatography (GC). The effects of two different drying methods, air-drying and freeze-drying, on pitch retention were also compared in this work. The pitch emulsion was prepared with fatty acids, resin acids, and triglycerides at a certain ratio to simulate the pitch composition in closed water system in paper mill. At increasing pH, some of the resin and fatty acids will dissolve into the water phase as metal soaps. In this work, the retention of colloidal pitch in TMP-papers by metal ions at pH 8 was determined. The amount of 5 mM metal ions was found to retain more pitch. The tensile index decreased by the addition of metal ions, and the decrease became more pronounced as the increase of the metal ions concentration. Besides, the hydrophobicity of handsheets was found being changed only a little, which might because the morphology and pitch retained on the surface both affected the hydrophobicity.

Highly porous silica pigments and PVOH binder are commonly used for inkjet coated papers. The use of PVOH increases the viscosity of coating colours and increases drying stresses in the coatings. In this study, the possibility of using S/A lattices as inkjet binders to decrease the viscosity of inkjet coatings and meet the quality requirements of the inkjet papers was investigated. Three S/A latices were prepared and tested as binders for inkjet coating. The effect of drying temperature and binder Tg{T_{\mathrm{g}}} on the drying stress development and crack formation in the coating was investigated. The results showed that the Tg{T_{\mathrm{g}}} of S/A latices, drying temperature, and PVC influenced the drying-stress patterns during drying. Drying stress decreased as the Tg{T_{\mathrm{g}}} of the latex decreased and the drying temperature increased. The presence of silica pigment caused a sudden increase and then decrease of the drying stress due to cracking of the coating layer. Two S/A latices gave coating colours with lower Brookfield viscosities and drying stresses than conventional PVAc latex, and they also gave coatings similar in brightness, opacity, gloss and roughness to the conventional latex coating.

Nanocelluloses produced from wood pulp are widely studied for various economic applications. Most studies of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) use lignin-free fibres obtained from bleached pulps; however, unbleached fibres with residual lignin may also be used to obtain lignocelluloses nanofibrils (LCNF). Research on lignocellulose nanofibrils is a recent subject in the field; thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the ultrastructure of lignocellulose nanofibrils compared to cellulose nanofibrils produced from the same raw material. Understanding of nanoparticle properties is of great relevance for their various applications; therefore, complete characterisation of the chemical, physical, and morphological structures of LCNF and CNF produced from pine and eucalyptus woods was performed. Unbleached cellulosic fibres are a viable alternative for LCNF production, which has properties comparable to that of traditional CNF production that uses lignin-free fibres. LCNF from pine and eucalyptus were obtained with 4.0 % and 1.8 % residual lignin, respectively. The nanofibrils had high thermal stability because LCNF had a higher maximum degradation temperature. Due to the low interaction of lignin with water, LCNF had a lower water retention value than CNF.

The present study analyzes the composition of pine wood cultivated on artificial plantations in the Leningrad Oblast (Region). Comparing to pine wood from natural stands, a smaller heartwood zone along the height of the pine trunk and a lower content of resinous substances are noted. The content of cellulose and lignin in the heartwood and sapwood of pine is distributed differently along the trunk. The distribution of pentosans and water-soluble substances in the heartwood and sapwood along the trunk is associated with the lignin complex. The component composition of the studied pine wood from planted stands is quite uniform in its indicators if compared to the wood of older natural stands. Sulphate pulping of planted pine wood showed a higher yield of technical cellulose than the average yield from wood obtained at natural stands of the studied region.