U.S. patent application number 12/084087 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for papermaking method and papermaking system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shinji Kobayashi, Masaki Teramoto, Kenji Wada.
Application Number | 20090250182 12/084087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37967640 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090250182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Teramoto; Masaki ; et
al. |
October 8, 2009 |
Papermaking Method and Papermaking System
Abstract
A papermaking method according to this invention is carried out
using a paper machine provided with a head box (3) including a
cell-structure manifold (30). An aqueous solution (M) containing
0.03 to 0.4 wt % of viscous agent is added to a material pulp
slurry (S), and the obtained mixed pulp slurry (MS) is introduced
into the manifold (30).
Inventors: |
Teramoto; Masaki; (Hyogo,
JP) ; Kobayashi; Shinji; (Hyogo, JP) ; Wada;
Kenji; (Osaka-Shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON, P.C.
P.O. BOX 2902
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0902
US
|
Assignee: |
SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO.,
LTD.
Hyogo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37967640 |
Appl. No.: |
12/084087 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 23, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/321007 |
371 Date: |
April 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
162/158 ;
162/380 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D21H 23/04 20130101;
D21H 17/53 20130101; D21H 21/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
162/158 ;
162/380 |
International
Class: |
D21H 23/04 20060101
D21H023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 25, 2005 |
JP |
2005-309721 |
Claims
1. A method of making paper using a paper machine provided with a
head box including a manifold having a cell-structure, the method
comprising the steps of: adding an aqueous solution of a viscous
agent having a concentration of 0.03 to 0.4 wt % to a material pulp
slurry; and introducing a mixed pulp slurry containing the material
pulp slurry and the aqueous solution of viscous agent into the
manifold.
2. The papermaking method according to claim 1, wherein the
addition of the aqueous solution of viscous agent is performed
between the head box and a screen located closest to the head
box.
3. The papermaking method according to claim 1, wherein the viscous
agent is a polyethylene oxide-based viscous agent.
4. A papermaking system comprising: a screen for removing
impurities from a material pulp slurry; a paper machine provided
with a head box including a manifold having a cell-structure
arranged downstream from the screen; and a viscous agent adder for
supplying an aqueous solution of a viscous agent having a
concentration of 0.03 to 0.4 wt % into a pipe connecting the screen
and the head box to each other.
5. The papermaking system according to claim 4, wherein the viscous
agent is a polyethylene oxide-based viscous agent.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for
performing papermaking using a paper machine provided with a head
box including a manifold having a cell-structure.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, a paper manufacturing process includes a pulp
step for forming a material pulp slurry and a papermaking step for
making paper from the pulp slurry. In the pulp step, a material
pulp slurry is prepared by forming chips from wood and performing
digestion, cleaning, picking, bleaching and so on. In the
papermaking step, the material pulp slurry is supplied from a head
box onto a wire element for dewatering, and then processes such as
pressing and drying are performed to produce paper.
[0003] Various kinds of paper machines are known such as a cylinder
machine, a Fourdrinier machine, a "tanmo" machine, a twin wire
machine and a crescent former.
[0004] Generally, in the papermaking process using a cylinder
machine, a large shearing force is not mechanically applied to the
material pulp slurry in the head box, so that the pulp is not
sufficiently dispersed. Thus, to produce paper having a relatively
low basis weight such as tissue paper or toilet paper using a
cylinder machine, a viscous agent for dispersing pulp is generally
used. For instance, polyethylene oxide may be used as the viscous
agent. Specifically, an aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide
having the concentration of not more than about 0.01 wt % and
appropriate viscosity may be added to the material pulp slurry.
Owing to the pulp dispersion effect of the viscous agent added in
the papermaking process, paper in which pulp fibers is uniformly
dispersed and which has excellent formation is obtained.
[0005] Paper machines such as a Fourdrinier machine, a "tanmo"
machine, a twin wire machine and a crescent former (hereinafter,
these machines are referred to as "high-speed paper machines"),
which have been developed to achieve a productivity higher than
that of a cylinder machine and whose papermaking speed (wire
traveling speed) is relatively high, include a manifold having a
cell-structure and provided in a head box. In these machines,
therefore, when the material pulp slurry passes through the
manifold, a large shearing force is applied to the material pulp
slurry, whereby the slurry is mechanically dispersed. Thus, by
using a high-speed paper machine, low-basis-weight paper having
excellent formation is obtained without using a viscous agent.
However, as compared with the papermaking process using a cylinder
machine, the time taken for dewatering on the wire element in the
papermaking process using a high-speed paper machine is shorter,
because of the higher papermaking speed. Further, since a viscous
agent is not used, the. dispersion of pulp on the wire element in a
high-speed paper machine is inferior to that in a cylinder machine.
As a result, although the productivity of a high-speed paper
machine is higher than that of a cylinder machine, the quality of
the obtained paper in terms of the formation is lower.
[0006] In recent years, competition for high quality paper is
heating up in the field of papermaking, and a system capable of
stably and easily making paper having excellent formation is
demanded. Although improvement of paper machines is being carried
out, studies of the addition-of an agent for improving the pulp
dispersion in a high-speed paper machine are not making much
progress. A conceivable reason for this is that, even if such a
viscous agent as a polyethylene oxide-based viscous agent, which is
known to be relatively vulnerable to shearing, is used for a
high-speed paper machine, the viscous agent is sheared due to a
large shearing force applied within the head box. As a result, the
viscosity is. reduced, and hence, the effect of the viscous agent
is reduced, so that the improvement of the formation like that
obtained in the case of a cylinder machine is not expected.
[0007] Although the Patent Document 1 described below discloses a
viscous-agent to replace polyethylene oxide, only a cylinder
machine is disclosed as the application.
[0008] Patent Document 1: JP-A 2000-290892
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention, which is proposed in
view of the above-described problems of the prior art, is to
provide a papermaking method and a papermaking system capable of
making paper having excellent formation even by the use of a
high-speed paper machine by optimizing the concentration of a
viscous agent solution to be added to the material pulp slurry.
[0010] To solve the above-described problems, the inventors of the
present invention have studied changes in viscosity of aqueous
solution of polyethylene oxide caused by shearing to find that the
viscosity is hardly degraded by shearing when the aqueous solution
has a concentration higher than a predetermined value. By applying
this result of the studies to papermaking, the inventors have found
that paper having excellent formation is obtained even by the use
of a high-speed paper machine and achieved the present
invention.
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of making paper using a paper machine provided
with a head box including a manifold having a cell-structure. The
method comprises the steps of adding an aqueous solution of a
viscous agent having a concentration of 0.03 to 0.4 wt % to a
material pulp slurry, and introducing a mixed pulp slurry
containing the material pulp slurry and the aqueous solution of the
viscous agent into the manifold.
[0012] With the above-described papermaking method, the pulp
dispersion effect by a viscous agent is properly exhibited even in
a paper machine which includes a cell-structure manifold in the
head box. As a result, paper in which pulp fibers are uniformly
dispersed and which has excellent formation is obtained. In this
way, according to this papermaking method, a viscous agent is
effectively used to improve the quality of paper.
[0013] Further, with the papermaking method according to the
present invention, the use of a proper viscous agent reduces the
defects such as the breakage of paper due to insufficient
dispersion of pulp fibers, and hence, stable papermaking is
possible. Thus, the yield of papermaking is enhanced, and the
production efficiency is improved.
[0014] Preferably, the addition of the aqueous solution of the
viscous agent is performed between the head box and a screen
located closest to the head box. In this case, the pulp dispersion
effect by the viscous agent is properly exhibited.
[0015] Preferably, the viscous agent is a polyethylene oxide-based
viscous agent. Preferably, in this case, the viscous agent may
comprise solely of polyethylene oxide.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a papermaking system comprising a screen for removing
impurities from a material pulp slurry, a paper machine provided
with a head box including a manifold having a cell-structure
arranged on a downstream side of the screen, and viscous agent
adding means for supplying an aqueous solution of viscous agent
having a concentration of 0.03 to 0.4 wt % into a pipe connecting
the screen and the head box to each other.
[0017] Preferably, the viscous agent is a polyethylene oxide-based
viscous agent.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent from the detailed description given below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows the schematic structure of an example of
papermaking system used for a papermaking method according to the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional: view schematically
showing a principal portion of a head box.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of
manifold.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0022] FIG. 1 schematically shows a papermaking system X1 used for
a papermaking method according to the present invention. The
papermaking system X1 mainly comprises a pump 1, a screen 2, a head
box 3 and a piping connecting these members to each other for
making paper from a material pulp slurry S by the papermaking
method.
[0023] The pump 1 supplies the material pulp slurry S formed in a
pulping step and containing pulp fibers to the screen 2 at a
predetermined pressure.
[0024] The screen 2 removes impurities from the material pulp
slurry S and makes the thickness of the material pulp slurry S
uniform. When the material pulp slurry S is supplied to the screen
2, the material pulp slurry S passes through an extremely narrow
space under a contact pressure from a non-illustrated roller. Thus,
a relatively large shearing force is applied to the pulp fibers
contained in the material pulp slurry S.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the head box 3, which constitutes part
of a paper machine, serves to eject a mixed pulp slurry MS onto a
wire element 4 traveling endlessly. The mixed pulp slurry MS is
obtained by adding a viscous agent P (which will be described
later) to the material pulp slurry S. As shown in FIG. 3, the head
box 3 includes a manifold 30 having a cell-structure made up of a
plurality of pipes 31. By causing the mixed pulp slurry MS to flow
through the manifold 30, the pulp fibers contained in the mixed
pulp slurry MS are dispersed. Each of the pipes 31 includes an
introduction end 31a and a discharge end 31b, and the cross
sectional area of each pipe increases stepwise as progressing from
the introduction end 31a toward the discharge end 31b. Examples of
paper machine including a manifold like the manifold 30 include a
crescent former, a twin wire paper machine and a Fourdrinier
machine, which are high-speed paper machines whose papermaking
speed is relatively high. The head box 3 includes a discharge
opening 3a on the downstream side of the manifold 30. The mixed
pulp slurry MS discharged from the manifold 30 is ejected onto the
wire element 4 through the discharge opening 3a. In the illustrated
embodiment, the discharge opening 3a is tapered toward the
downstream side.
[0026] The screen 2 and the head box 3 are connected to each other
via a pipe 21. A pipe 22 for adding a viscous agent solution M is
connected to the pipe 21. An example of viscous agent solution M to
be added is polyethylene oxide-based aqueous solution.
[0027] When the papermaking system X1 having the above-described
structure is operated, the material pulp slurry S is supplied to
the screen 2 by the operation of the pump 1.
[0028] In the screen 2, unnecessary components such as impurities
are removed from the material pulp slurry S, and a relatively large
shearing force is applied to the pulp fibers contained in the
material pulp slurry S. Thus, the initially agglomerated pulp
fibers are dispersed to some degree.
[0029] The material pulp slurry S having passed through the screen
2 is introduced into the pipe 21. An aqueous solution of
polyethylene oxide as the viscous agent solution M is added to the
material pulp slurry S through the pipe 22. The aqueous solution is
prepared in advance to have a polyethylene oxide concentration in
the range of 0.03 to 0.4 wt %. For instance, the aqueous solution
of polyethylene oxide may be prepared by dissolving powder of
polyethylene oxide in water contained in a bath made of stainless
steel while stirring the water using a stirrer provided at the
bath. The material pulp slurry S and the viscous agent solution M
are mixed within the pipe 21 to form the mixed pulp slurry MS, and
the mixed pulp slurry MS is supplied to the head box 3.
[0030] In the head box 3, the mixed pulp slurry MS is introduced
into the manifold 30 (the pipes 31). Since the cross sectional area
of each pipe 31 is relatively small at a portion adjacent to the
introduction end 31a, the mixed pulp slurry MS flows through this
portion at a relatively high speed. Since the cross sectional area
of the pipe increases stepwise as progressing toward the discharge
end 31b, the speed of the flow of the mixed pulp slurry MS
decreases stepwise. As a result, an eddy is generated within the
pipe 31, whereby a relatively large shearing force is applied to
the mixed pulp slurry MS. By the effect of the shearing force, the
pulp fibers contained in the mixed pulp slurry MS are dispersed
effectively. The viscous agent solution M is dispersed and mixed
into the material pulp slurry S without being considerably
deteriorated by the eddy generated in the pipe 31.
[0031] The mixed pulp slurry MS, in which the pulp fibers are
properly dispersed by passing through the manifold 30 (pipes 31),
undergoes a proper decrease of viscosity due to the shearing and is
ejected from the discharge ends 31b onto the running wire element 4
through the discharge opening 3a. On the wire element 4, by the
pulp dispersion effect of the viscous agent, the pulp fibers
contained in the mixed pulp slurry MS are dispersed uniformly.
Thereafter, the mixed pulp slurry MS is dewatered, and the process
steps such as pressing and drying are performed to provide paper as
a finished product.
[0032] In the papermaking method by the papermaking system X1
according to the present invention, the use of a polyethylene
oxide-based viscous agent has good effect even when a high-speed
paper machine incorporating a manifold having a cell-structure is
used. Specifically, although a polyethylene oxide-based viscous
agent has been conventionally used for papermaking by a cylinder
machine, the use of a polyethylene oxide-based viscous agent for
papermaking by a high-speed paper machine has been avoided because
the reduction of viscosity is considerable and the pulp dispersion
effect cannot be obtained. Under such circumstances, the inventors
of the present invention sought the way to effectively use
polyethylene oxide, which is stably produced industrially and has
been used as an effective viscous agent for a cylinder machine, for
a high-speed paper machine. As a result, the inventors have found
that, when a polyethylene oxide-based viscous agent solution has a
concentration (0.03 to 0.4 wt %) which is considerably higher than
that (not higher than about 0.01 wt %) of a solution used for a
cylinder machine, proper pulp dispersion effect is exhibited, and
paper having excellent formation is obtained.
[0033] In the papermaking method of the present invention, it is
preferable that the concentration of the viscous agent solution M
to be added to the material pulp slurry S is 0.03 to 0.4 wt %, and
more preferably, 0.03 to 0.2 wt %.
[0034] When the concentration of the viscous agent solution M to be
added is not more than 0.03 wt %, the pulp dispersion effect of the
viscous agent solution is deteriorated due to the reduction of
viscosity by the shearing in the head box 3, and hence, the
formation of paper is hardly improved. When the concentration of
the viscous agent solution M to be added exceeds 0.4 wt %, the
viscous agent solution M is not sufficiently mixed with the
material pulp slurry S in the head box because of the high
viscosity of the viscous agent solution M. As a result, the viscous
agent solution partially agglomerates into a strip or a block,
whereby the dispersion of the pulp fibers is hindered. In this
case, failures such as paper breakage may occur, and stable
papermaking may not be performed. Further, the produced paper may
include defects such as specks and/or holes, whereby the quality of
paper deteriorates.
[0035] However, when the concentration of the viscous agent
solution M to be added is 0.03 to 0.4 wt %, the pulp dispersion
effect is properly exhibited, and the defects such as specks and/or
holes are prevented. Thus, with the papermaking method according to
the present invention, paper having excellent formation is
obtained, and thus, the improvement of the quality is achieved.
[0036] Further, with the papermaking method according to the
present invention, the use of a proper viscous agent reduces the
failures such as paper breakage due to insufficient dispersion of
pulp fibers, and hence, stable papermaking is possible. Thus, the
yield of papermaking is enhanced, and the production efficiency is
improved.
[0037] In view of the pulp dispersion effect and the convenience in
handling, it is preferable that the viscous agent (polyethylene
oxide) used in the papermaking method according to the present
invention has a viscosity average molecular weight of 3 million to
11 million, and preferably, 4 million to 9 million.
[0038] Although the amount of the viscous agent to be used depends
on the kind of paper and is not limited to a particular value, the
amount of 0.001 to 1.0%, and preferably 0.01 to 0.5% relative to
the dry weight of the paper to be produced is considered
effective.
[0039] The viscous agent solution M does not necessarily need to be
added through the pipe 22 connected to the pipe 21 which connects
the screen 2 and the head box 3 to each other. However, to properly
exhibit the pulp dispersion effect by the viscous agent, it is
preferable that the viscous agent be added at a position between
the screen 2 and the head box 3, i.e., at a position downstream
from the screen 2 and upstream from the head box 3. This is
because, when the viscous agent solution M is added at a position
upstream from the screen 2, the viscosity decreases by the shearing
in the screen 2, so that the pulp dispersion effect by the viscous
agent may not be exhibited.
[0040] The papermaking method according to the present invention is
preferably applicable to the making of thin paper such as tissue
paper or toilet paper having a basis weight of not more than about
60 g/m.sup.2, but is not limited thereto.
[0041] Examples of the present invention will be described below
together with comparative examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[Papermaking]
[0042] Paper was made from a material pulp slurry S using the
papermaking system X1 according to the above-described embodiment.
As the paper machine, a crescent former was operated to run at a
speed of 800 m/min to form tissue paper having a basis weight of 13
g/m.sup.2. As the material pulp slurry S, a slurry of 0.15 wt % was
prepared from NBKP (conifer pulp) and LBKP (broadleaf pulp) of 640
mlcsf beating degree (Canadian Standard Freeness) mixed at the
ratio of 40 to 60 (weight ratio) As the viscous agent solution M,
use was made of an aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide having a
concentration of 0.07 wt %, which was prepared by dissolving
polyethylene oxide (Tradename: PEO-27, Viscosity average molecular
weight: 7500000, available from Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.)
in water while stirring. In the papermaking process, the
polyethylene oxide solution was supplied into the pipe 21 between
the screen 2 and the head box 3. The amount of the viscous agent
used was 0.1% relative to the dry weight of the paper produced.
[Evaluation of Formation of Paper]
[0043] The paper made as above was examined for the improvement of
formation. The formation was checked by visual inspection, and the
result is given in Table 1. In Table 1, the mark .smallcircle.
indicates that the formation is considerably improved, i.e., the
pulp fibers are uniformly dispersed and holes and/or agglomeration
of pulp fibers are hardly found, the mark .DELTA. indicates that
the improvement of formation is hardly found, and the mark x
indicates that the formation is poor, i.e., holes and/or
agglomeration of pulp fibers are found or a papermaking failure
such as breakage of paper is caused.
EXAMPLE 2
[0044] In Example 2, paper was made under the same conditions as
those of Example 1 except that the aqueous solution of polyethylene
oxide used as the viscous agent solution M had the concentration of
0.03 wt %. The examination result of the formation of the paper
obtained by this example is also given in Table 1.
EXAMPLE 3
[0045] In this example, a Fourdrinier machine was used as the paper
machine. Specifically, the Fourdrinier machine was operated to run
at a speed of 1100 m/min to form tissue paper having a basis weight
of 17 g/m.sup.2; As the material pulp slurry S, a slurry of 0.12 wt
% was prepared from NBKP and LBKP of 660 mlcsf beating degree
(Canadian Standard Freeness) mixed at the ratio of 60 to 40 (weight
ratio). As the viscous agent solution, use was made of an aqueous
solution of polyethylene oxide having a concentration of 0.06 wt %,
which was prepared by dissolving polyethylene oxide (PEO-27) in
water while stirring. In the papermaking process, the polyethylene
oxide solution was supplied into the pipe 21 between the screen 2
and the head box 3. The amount of the viscous agent used was 0.15%
relative to the dry weight of the paper produced. The examination
result of the formation of the paper obtained by this example is
also given in Table 1.
EXAMPLE 4
[0046] The same paper machine as that of Example 3 was operated to
run at a speed of 1000 m/min to form tissue paper having a basis
weight of 15 g/m.sup.2. As the material pulp slurry S, a slurry of
0.12wt % was prepared from NBKP and LBKP of 660 mlcsf beating
degree (Canadian Standard Freeness) mixed at the ratio of 60 to 40
(weight ratio). As the viscous agent solution, use was made of an
aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide having a concentration of
0.15wt %, which was prepared by dissolving polyethylene oxide
(PEO-27) in water while stirring. In the papermaking process, the
polyethylene oxide solution was supplied into the pipe 21 between
the screen 2 and the head box 3. The amount of the viscous agent
used was 0.15% relative to the dry weight of the paper produced.
The examination result of the formation of the paper obtained by
this example is also given in Table 1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
[0047] In this comparative example, paper was made under the same
conditions as those of Example 1 except that the aqueous solution
of polyethylene oxide used as the viscous agent solution M had a
concentration of 0.01 wt %. The examination result of the formation
of the paper obtained by this comparative example is also given in
Table 1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2
[0048] In this comparative example, paper was made under the same
conditions as those of Example 3 except that the aqueous solution
of polyethylene oxide used as the viscous agent solution M had a
concentration of 0.5 wt %. The examination result of the formation
of the paper obtained by this comparative example is also given in
Table 1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3
[0049] In this comparative example, paper was made under the same
conditions as those of Comparative Example 1 except that a cylinder
machine was uses as the paper machine. The examination result of
the formation of the paper obtained by this comparative example is
also given in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparative Comparative Comparative Example
Example Example Example Example Example Example 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 Paper
Crescent Fourdrinier Crescent Fourdrinier Cylinder machine former
former machine Target Paper tissue paper Paper 800 800 1100 1000
800 1100 800 making speed (m/min) Basis weight 13 13 17 15 13 17 13
(g/m.sup.2) Viscous agent 0.07 0.03 0.06 0.15 0.01 0.5 0.01
concentration (wt/%) Viscous agent 0.1 0.1 0.15 0.15 0.1 0.15 0.1
amount (relative to dry weight of paper: %) Formation .smallcircle.
.smallcircle. .smallcircle. .smallcircle. .DELTA. x .smallcircle.
improvement
[0050] Since the viscous agent solution M used in Examples 1-4 had
a high concentration within a predetermined range, the formation of
the paper was better than that of the paper formed using a viscous
agent solution M of a lower concentration like Comparative Example
1. Herein, the concentration (0.01 wt %) of the viscous agent
solution M used in the Comparative Example 1 is close to the upper
limit of the concentration range (not more than about 0.01 wt %) of
polyethylene oxide solution conventionally known as appropriate for
use for papermaking (using a cylinder machine).
[0051] Since the viscous agent solution M used in Comparative
Example 2 had a concentration higher than the predetermined range,
the viscous agent solution M agglomerated in the papermaking
process due to the high viscosity to cause failures such as the
breakage of the paper.
* * * * *