Abstract
Using foam as a carrier fluid in papermaking gives interesting new opportunities. Foam as a more viscous fluid than water is expected to behave differently in a dynamic process. This study presents results obtained under dynamic forming conditions in a semi-pilot scale research environment. Effects of process configurations and running conditions on increased forming speed, web properties, and difference between waterlaid and foam-laid processes are shown. The studies were carried out using a water-laid former and the same environment modified for foam forming. In order to achieve increased forming speed, the open headbox was replaced with a closed headbox, and the former geometry was updated. The process foam was boosted with an additional foam pulper. The foam pulper was used as a machine chest for improving the dispersion of fibers into the foam. A much broader tensile strength ratio range (~3 to 8) was achieved with foam forming than with water-laid forming. Foam-laid paper had a broader pore size distribution and higher mean pore size. Formation and the formation spectra of foam-laid sheets were more uniform, leading to improvements in the properties of the fiber network.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6309-6331 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | BioResources |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2020 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Aqueous foam
- Foam process
- Formation
- Forming
- Sheet properties