FLOCCULATION AND REDISPERSION OF CELLULOSIC FIBER SUSPENSIONS: A REVIEW OF EFFECTS OF HYDRODYNAMIC SHEAR AND POLYELECTROLYTES

Cellulosic fibers in aqueous suspensions are subject to flocculation effects that involve two contrasting scales of dimension. The net effect of flocculation determines how uniformly fibers can become formed into a sheet during the manufacture of paper. At a macroscopic level, the highly elongated shape of typical wood-derived fibers in agitated sus-pensions can give rise to frequent inter-fiber collisions and the formation of fiber flocs. At a submicroscopic scale, surfaces of suspended materials can become joined by macromolecular bridges. Although such bridges tend to reduce paper’s uniformity, polyelectrolyte flocculants are used in most paper machine systems to achieve relatively high retention efficiencies of fine particles as paper is being formed. By adjusting the papermaking equipment, judiciously selecting points of addition of chemicals, and by managing chemical dosages, papermakers employ a variety of strategies to achieve favorable combinations of retention and uniformity. This review considers scholarly work that has been directed towards a greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

[1]  Evelyne Mauret,et al.  Suspension crowding for a general fibre-length distribution: Application to flocculation of mixtures of short and long papermaking fibres , 2003 .

[2]  R. F. Ross,et al.  Simulation of flowing wood fibre suspensions , 1998 .

[3]  Martin A. Hubbe.  Reversibility of polymer-induced fiber flocculation by shear. 1. Experimental methods , 2000 .

[4]  Olin F. Sodergren,et al.  Developments in activity generation on fourdriniers , 2000 .

[5]  J Gregory,et al.  The effect of cationic polymers on the colloidal stability of latex particles , 1976 .

[6]  M. Hubbe,et al.  Effect of idealised flow conditions on retention aid performance. Part 2: polymer bridging, charged patches, and charge neutralisation , 2004 .

[7]  A. Pfau,et al.  Detection of a Single Molecule Adsorption Structure of Poly(ethylenimine) Macromolecules by AFM , 1999 .

[8]  J. C. Roberts,et al.  The effect of C14-labelled cationic and native starches on dry strength and formation , 1986 .

[9]  G. J. Fleer,et al.  Polymer adsorption and its effect on the stability of hydrophobic colloids. II. The flocculation process as studied with the silver iodide-polyvinyl alcohol system , 1974 .

[10]  J. F. Waterhouse,et al.  Effect of papermaking variables on formation , 1993 .

[11]  L. H. Allen,et al.  Effects of retention and drainage aids on paper machine drainage : a review , 1991 .

[12]  Leena Paavilainen,et al.  Conformability, flexibility and collapsibility of sulphate pulp fibres , 1993 .

[13]  T. Healy,et al.  The energetics of flocculation and redispersion by polymers , 1964 .

[14]  Thelma M. Herrington,et al.  An investigation into the nature of charge on the surface of papermaking woodpulps 1. Charge/pH isotherms , 1992 .

[15]  A. Swerin,et al.  Flocculation in suspensions of microcrystalline cellulose by microparticle retention aid systems , 1997 .

[16]  Luciano Beghello,et al.  Some mechanisms that govern fiber flocculation , 1997 .

[17]  G. Garnier,et al.  The flocculation mechanism of microparticulate retention aid systems , 2001 .

[18]  S. Corson.  Process impacts on mechanical pulp fibre and sheet dimensions , 2002 .

[19]  E. Litchfield.  Dewatering aids for paper applications , 1994 .

[20]  Christopher T. J. Dodson,et al.  Estimation of intra-floc forces , 1994 .

[21]  L. Odberg,et al.  Flocculation of cellulosic fibre suspensions by model microparticulate retention aid systems , 1993 .

[22]  J. Gregory,et al.  Kinetic aspects of flocculation by cationic polymers , 1974 .

[23]  Ping Zhang,et al.  Effects of S-adenosylmethionine on liver methionine metabolism and steatosis with ethanol-induced liver injury in rats , 2008, Hepatology international.

[24]  Anders Rasmuson,et al.  The yield stress of pulp suspensions – The influence of fibre properties and processing conditions. , 1998 .

[25]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  WHERE TO ADD RETENTION AID: ISSUES OF TIME AND SHEAR , 2002 .

[26]  Lars Ödberg,et al.  Shear strength in papermaking suspensions flocculated by retention aid systems , 1996 .

[27]  H. Kausch,et al.  Chain extension and degradation in convergent flow , 1992 .

[28]  S. Pargellis.  : Papermaking: The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft , 1944 .

[29]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  Detachment of colloidal hydrous oxide spheres from flat solids exposed to flow 2. Mechanism of release , 1985 .

[30]  B. Alince,et al.  Aggregation of microcrystalline cellulose with polyethylenimine , 1974 .

[31]  G. J. Fleer,et al.  Polymers at Interfaces , 1993 .

[32]  T. Lindstrom,et al.  Some aspects on the reversibility of flocculation of paper stocks , 1996 .

[33]  Robert L. Powell,et al.  Linear and nonlinear dynamic viscoelasticity of pulp fiber suspensions , 1992 .

[34]  H. Brenner.  The slow motion of a sphere through a viscous fluid towards a plane surface , 1961 .

[35]  L. Eriksson,et al.  Effects of polyelectrolyte characteristics and flocculation conditions on fine particle floc properties , 1993 .

[36]  Particle motions in sheared suspensions: XXXI. Rotations of rigid and flexible dumbbells (experimental)☆ , 1981 .

[37]  J. Eames.  Modified foil blade design improves forming board drainage, turbulence , 1993 .

[38]  Elena Fuente,et al.  Focused beam reflectant measurement as a tool to measure flocculation , 2002 .

[39]  Richard H. Grant,et al.  The effect of drainage on randomly formed papers: a simulation study , 1986 .

[40]  Particle motions in sheared suspensions: XXX. Rotations of rigid and flexible dumbbells (theoretical) , 1981 .

[41]  Lars Ödberg,et al.  Studies of flocculation in cellulose fibre suspensions by NMR imaging , 1997 .

[42]  Erik Lindgren,et al.  Important properties of colloidal silica in microparticulate systems , 1996 .

[43]  C. Dodson,et al.  Fiber crowding, fiber contacts, and fiber flocculation. , 1996 .

[44]  R. G. Cox,et al.  Slow viscous motion of a sphere parallel to a plane wall , 1967 .

[45]  L. Spielman,et al.  Floc breakage in agitated suspensions: Theory and data processing strategy , 1982 .

[46]  K. Lunkwitz,et al.  The use of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes as flocculants and retention aids , 1996 .

[47]  A. Swerin,et al.  Transfer of cationic retention aid from fibers to fine particles and cleavage of polymer chains under wet-end papermaking conditions , 1993 .

[48]  H. Paulapuro,et al.  Hydraulic and rectifier roll headboxes in boardmaking , 1990 .

[49]  L. Wågberg,et al.  The action of cationic polyelectrolytes used for the fixation of dissolved and colloidal substances , 1991 .

[50]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  Reversibility of polymer-induced fiber flocculation by shear. 2. Multi-component chemical treatments , 2001 .

[51]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  The Dispersion Science of Papermaking , 2005 .

[52]  M. Giri.  Dispersion of pulp slurries using carboxy-methyl cellulose (CMC) , 1998 .

[53]  SEAN X. LIU,et al.  AGGREGATE DISINTEGRATION IN TURBULENT JETS , 1997 .

[54]  Howard Brenner,et al.  Particle motions in sheared suspensions , 1959 .

[55]  Robert Pelton,et al.  A model of the external surface of wood pulp fibers , 1993 .

[56]  L. Wågberg,et al.  An extended model for the estimation of flocculation efficiency factors in multicomponent flocculant systems , 1996 .

[57]  Agne Swerin,et al.  Adsorption and flocculation in suspensions by two cationic polymers : Simultaneous and sequential addition , 1997 .

[58]  H. Brenner,et al.  Particle motions in sheared suspensions , 1959 .

[59]  C. Cohen,et al.  Observations of fibre orientation in simple shear flow of semi-dilute suspensions , 1992, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[60]  H. Paulapuro,et al.  The Role of Fourdrinier Table Activity in the Manufacture of Various Paper and Board Grades , 1992 .

[61]  A. Swerin,et al.  Flocculation and floc strength : from the laboratory to the FEX paper machine , 1996 .

[62]  O. Jokinen,et al.  Interdependence of retention and formation in the manufacture of SC paper , 1986 .

[63]  T. M. Herrington,et al.  An investigation into the nature of charge on the surface of papermaking woodpulps 2. Analysis of potentiometric titration data , 1992 .

[64]  T. Lindstrom,et al.  Some fundamental aspects on dual component retention aid systems , 1987 .

[65]  Henrik Alfredsson,et al.  Observation of streaky structures in a plane water jet , 1997 .

[66]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  Theory of detachment of colloidal particles from flat surfaces exposed to flow , 1984 .

[67]  R. J. Hunter.  Foundations of Colloid Science , 1987 .

[68]  C. K. Aidun.  Quantitative evaluation of the forming jet delivered from four different hyraulic headboxes using high speed digital imaging , 1998 .

[69]  J. C. Alfano,et al.  The effects of dissolved and colloidal substances on flocculation of mechanical pulps , 2000 .

[70]  T. G. M. Van De Ven.  Theoretical aspects of drainage and retention of small particles on the Fourdrinier , 1984 .

[71]  Douglas W. Fuerstenau,et al.  Mutual coagulation of colloidal dispersions , 1966 .

[72]  John A. Lloyd,et al.  The determination of fibre charge and acidic groups of radiata pine pulps , 1993 .

[73]  The effect of flocculant/microparticles retention programs on floc properties , 1999 .

[74]  U. Björkman.  Break-up of suspended fibre networks , 2003 .

[75]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  Retention and hydrodynamic shear , 1986 .

[76]  M. Hubbe,et al.  Effect of idealised flow conditions on retention aid performance. Part 1: cationic acrylamide copolymer , 2004 .

[77]  James E. Kline,et al.  The Application of the Verwey-Overbeek Theory to the Relative Sediment Volume of Kaolin-Water Dispersions , 1966 .

[78]  D. S. Keller,et al.  The effect of forming element induced energy on the material distribution, structure, and structural properties of the paper web , 2002 .

[79]  William W. Sampson.  The interdependence of sheet structure and drainage , 1997 .

[80]  William W. Sampson,et al.  The effect of fiber length distribution on suspension crowding. , 2001 .

[81]  Luciano Beghello,et al.  Some factors that influence fiber flocculation , 1998 .

[82]  D. Solberg.  On the mechanism of cationic-polyacrylamide-induced flocculation and re-dispersion of a pulp fiber dispersion , 2003 .

[83]  G. Garnier,et al.  The role of anionic microparticles in a poly(acrylamide)-montmorillonite flocculation aid system , 2000 .

[84]  T. Suen,et al.  Ionic Derivatives of Polyacrylamide , 1956 .

[85]  Agne Swerin,et al.  Rheological properties of cellulosic fibre suspensions flocculated by cationic polyacrylamides , 1998 .

[86]  Tom Lindstrom,et al.  Effects of high molecular mass anionic polymers on paper sheet formation , 1989 .

[87]  M. E. O'Neill,et al.  A sphere in contact with a plane wall in a slow linear shear flow , 1968 .

[88]  M. Hubbe.  Detachment of colloidal hydrous oxide spheres from flat solids exposed to flow 3. Forces of adhesion , 1987 .

[89]  Daniel J. Klingenberg,et al.  Surface and friction forces between cellulose surfaces measured with colloidal probe microscopy , 2000 .

[90]  D. R. Kasper,et al.  Theoretical and experimental investigations of the flocculation of charged particles in aqueous solutions by polyelectrolytes of opposite charge , 1971 .

[91]  C. Dodson,et al.  Hydrodynamic smoothing in the sheet forming process , 1995 .

[92]  R. Pelton,et al.  Estimates of maximum hydrodynamic shear stresses on fibre surfaces in papermaking , 1984 .

[93]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  The Paradox of Papermaking. , 2005 .

[94]  M. Hubbe,et al.  Effect of Idealized Flow Conditions on Retention Aid Performance . 2 . Polymer Bridging , Charged Patches , and Charge Neutralization , 2004 .

[95]  K. Miles,et al.  The nature of the mechanical pulping process , 2004 .

[96]  T. Lindström,et al.  Flocculation of latex and cellulose dispersions by means of transient polymer networks , 1984 .

[97]  Sven Forsberg,et al.  The effect of contact time between cationic polymers and furnish on retention and drainage , 1994 .

[98]  Alessandra Gerli,et al.  Characterization of the flocculation dynamics in a paperma king system by non-imaging reflectance scanning laser rnicroscopy (SLM) , 1998 .

[99]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  Detachment of colloidal hydrous oxide spheres from flat solids exposed to flow 4. Effect of polyelectrolytes , 1987 .

[100]  Enso Oyj,et al.  Economics of the pulp and paper industry , 1998 .

[101]  William J. Orts,et al.  Shear-Induced Alignment of Liquid-Cystalline Suspensions of Cellulose Microfibrils , 1995 .

[102]  J. Hinze.  Fundamentals of the hydrodynamic mechanism of splitting in dispersion processes , 1955 .

[103]  B. Krogerus.  Dynamic flocculation studies on fibre fines and filler clay , 1993 .

[104]  S. Pratsinis,et al.  Shear-induced flocculation: The evolution of floc structure and the shape of the size distribution at steady state , 1996 .

[105]  Agne Swerin,et al.  SOME ASPECTS OF RETENTION AIDS , 2003 .

[106]  B. Yates,et al.  Mechanism of detachment of colloidal particles from a flat substrate in a turbulent flow , 1973 .

[107]  C. Dodson,et al.  The influence of formation on tensile strength of papers made from mechanical pulps , 2000 .

[108]  John C. Walkush.  The coagulation of cellulose pulp fibers and fines as a mechanism of retention. , 1970 .

[109]  Pelton,et al.  Effect of Shear on the Strength of Polymer-Induced Flocs , 1997, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[110]  Cf Baker,et al.  Good practice for refining the types of fiber found in modern paper furnishes , 1995 .

[111]  L. Wågberg,et al.  Polyelectrolyte adsorption onto cellulose fibres – A review , 2000 .

[112]  Martin A. Hubbe,et al.  Fines Management for Increased Paper Machine Productivity , 2002 .

[113]  John Gregory,et al.  Rates of flocculation of latex particles by cationic polymers , 1973 .

[114]  E. L. Back,et al.  Glass transitions of wood components hold implications for molding and pulping processes [Wood and paper materials]. , 1982 .

[115]  R. J. Kerekes,et al.  Effects of fiber length and coarseness on pulp flocculation , 1995 .

[116]  O. Jokinen,et al.  Flocculation tendency of papermaking fibres , 1985 .

[117]  Daniel J. Klingenberg,et al.  Friction between cellulose surfaces measured with colloidal probe microscopy , 2001 .

[118]  G. J. Fleer,et al.  Polymer adsorption and its effect on the stability of hydrophobic colloids , 1972 .

[119]  R. J. Kerekes,et al.  An experimental study of the effect of refining on paper formation , 2001 .