Rapid Wet-End Chemistry Testing, 2003 Spring Technical Conference Proceedings

Wet end chemistry experiments are usually done in a lab scale for which dynamics are very different from those in mill scale. Experiments are done only a few at the time, changing only one or two variables while keeping the many others constant and making manual measurements to control the whole process. Such experimentation takes a very long time and interpretation of the results is very difficult. Consequently, it extends the discovery process and takes a very long time before:

1. Conclusion can be reached,
2. Chemicals and fibers can be screened,
3. New wet-end chemistry can be defined, or
4. New paper grade can be developed, and finally
5. Successful mill trial can be performed.

Therefore, there is a need to accelerate that process by:

1. Testing many samples at the same time,
2. Performing the experiments in conditions close to mill reality,
3. Improving the chemical dosing process and control system,
4. Involving statistics to form mathematical equations for prediction and optimization.