Significantly Reduced Toxicity Approach to Paper Machine Deposit Control, 1997 Engineering & Papermakers Conference Proceedings

Deposition of organic and inorganic materials on paper machines is one of the most widespread and difficult to control problems in the paper process industry. Mills spend significant sums of money to treat their process water in order to minimize down time associated with the development of these deposits on the machine. Many of the chemical agents used to control deposition have the disadvantage of being hazardous to machine operators and/or non-target organisms. This is particularly true with regard to the control of bacterial deposition with traditional microbiocides. In many parts of the world, and increasingly within the U.S., the use of microbiocides is coming under increased scrutiny and regulation. Concomitantly, deposition control problems are being exacerbated by the increased closure of mill water systems and the increased use of recycled fiber. A novel method of combating this type of deposition has recently been developed that does not involve the use of any hazardous chemicals. By treating a paper system with a patented blend of surfactants, excellent control of deposition has been documented. Using this treatment regime, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the use of biocides and other deposition control products from the wet end of the paper machine. Biochemical, microscopic and visual results of actual field trials at representative alkaline fine paper and tissue mills are discussed.