Size Press Starch Filtration for Sheet Quality, Machine Efficiency, and Environmental Discharge Improvements, 2001 Coating Conference Proceedings

Jonathan C. Pawlak--Every papermaker has the same dilemma of making a higher quality sheet on a more efficient machine without negatively affecting the environment or significantly changing the existing process! Although this portrays an extreme situation, it is a position more and more mills are finding themselves in on a daily basis. Dramatically improving the filtration of the size press solution is one area that fits this profile. On an annual basis one particular mill projected being able to reduce paper roll splices by 3,800. Fewer splices were made to cut out sheet defects, and the improved sheet quality helped reduce breaks (splices) at the winder. In addition, the overall production splice ratio (total number of splices/total number of rolls produced) decreased by nearly 24%, sheet holes decreased by 11%, print tests improved, starch run tank sludge decreased by 68% and as a result this eliminated the need to sewer over 90,000 gallons of starch.