CHEN 3090 - PULP AND PAPER TECHNOLOGY (3)
Technical Elective Course

2009-2010 Catalog DataLec (3). An introductory course on the technology of pulp and paper manufacturing with emphasis on raw materials, pulping, bleaching, paper making, coating and environmental control. For students with no previous formal pulp and paper background.

PrerequisitesPr: CHEM 1030 or CHEM 1110 or CHEM 1117, ENGR 2010 and junior standing or department approval.

ScheduleThree one-hour class sessions per week.

Course ObjectivesTo introduce the student to the various operations involved in the manufacture of pulp and paper starting from raw material. Includes raw materials, pulping, bleaching, papermaking, surface sizing, coating and printing.

Textbooks

Smook, Handbook for Pulp and Paper Technologists, 3e, 2003, 9780969462859, Angus Wilde

Topics Covered

  1. Introduction to the pulp and paper industry, history, economic impact, and industry’s place in national economy (0.33 weeks).
  2. Raw material, wood structure, chemical composition, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin reactions (1 week)
  3. Wood procurement and preparation (0.33 weeks)
  4. Pulping
  5. Kraft pulping, pulping reaction, batch and continuous digester operation, pulping variables (3.33 weeks)
  6. Sulfite pulping, pulping reaction, digester operation, pulping variables (0.67 weeks)
  7. Mechanical pulping-groundwood, RMP, TMP (0.67 weeks)
  8. Semichemical, chemimechanical and high yield pulping (0.67 weeks)
  9. Bleaching of pulp and brightness enhancement (0.67 weeks)
  10. Paper properties (0.33 weeks)
  11. Mechanical and chemical treatment of pulp (1 week)
  12. Papermaking operation - wet end, dry end, surface treatment, printing (3.67 weeks)
  13. Pollution abatement (0.67 weeks)
  14. Recycling (0.67 weeks)
  15. Tests (1 week)

Course Outcomes

  1. Explain the growth cycle of trees, list their major structural components and list the differences between softwoods and hardwoods.
  2. List the chemical components of wood, their characteristics.
  3. Classify the major pulping processes by yield, process input and general use of the pulp.
  4. Draw a detailed flow sheet of the kraft pulping process including the chemical recovery section and the important reactions therein.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the kraft pulping variables, digester operation, concept of H-factor, direct and indirect heating of digester and the kappa number.
  6. Draw and explain a detailed flow sheet of a continuous digester. List the advantages and disadvantages of continuous over batch digesters.
  7. Explain different sulfite pulping processes, different bases used and their limitations. Draw a detailed flow sheet of the Magnesium bisulfite pulping process.
  8. List distinguishing characteristics of mechanical pulps to include their suitability for certain papers and their limitations.
  9. Draw flow sheets for the production of Groundwood (GW), Refiner Mechanical Pulp (RMP) and Thermomechanical Pulp (TMP).
  10. Explain a typical chemi-mechanical pulping process, NSSC pulping process and Green liquor pulping. Explain the concept of cross recovery.
  11. List the nomenclature of bleaching stages and common bleaching sequences used. Explain the production of the common bleaching chemicals and their limitations for use as bleaching and brightening chemicals.
  12. Draw D(EOP)DED and ODED bleaching sequence flow sheets with general bleaching conditions.
  13. Explain various paper properties.
  14. Describe the theory of refining/beating. List the refining variables and draw a flow diagram of stock preparation.
  15. Explain flotation and wash deinking and the conditions under which they are used. Draw flow diagrams of flotation, washing and combined flotation-wash deinking. Explain the purpose of equipment used.
  16. List the major chemical additives added to the stock and/or paper web and explain their purpose.
  17. Draw a typical approach flow diagram for a fine paper machine. Identify various units and their purpose.
  18. Draw a Fourdrinier table wet end. List the names various drainage elements and accessories and explain how they work. Explain the use of cylinder machines and gap formers.
  19. Explain the theory of strength development in paper.
  20. Explain lateral and transversal flow presses. Explain the theory of water removal in vented nip presses.
  21. Explain how efficient water removal is achieved during the drying process.
  22. Explain calendaring and super calendaring.
  23. Describe surface sizing and its effects on paper. List common surface sizing materials.
  24. Describe the major aspects of pigmented coatings.
  25. List and describe the major types of air pollution equipment used in the paper industry. Demonstrate an understanding of non-condensable gases, their sources, collection methods and disposal methods.
  26. Explain primary, secondary and tertiary effluent treatment methods. Demonstrate an understanding of aerated lagoons and activated sludge treatments.

Contribution of Course to Meeting ABET Criteria 5 (Curriculum)
Math and Basic Sciences / Engineering Topics / General Education
0 Credits / 3 Credits / 0 Credits
Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes (PO’s)
Program Outcome / A / B / C / D / E / F / G1 / G2 / H / I / J / K
Level of Coverage / S / I

Date of Preparation and Person(s) Preparing This Description:

February 5, 2010, William Josephson