Characterization of retention chemicals and their effect on the paper forming process on machine PM4, Billerud Korsnäs Gävle Mill.

Sammanfattning: In the papermaking industries spots in the finished product is a recurring problem. Billerud Korsnäs have in earlier studies identified poorly optimized retention systems as one of the reasons for these spots. Poorly optimized retention systems will allow for detrimental substances to flow freely in the system, which may cause agglomeration into larger particles that could end up as darker spots in the finished product. The aim of this thesis is to investigate a number of retention systems, consisting of a retention polymer and retention microparticles, and characterize the polymers.The retention aid systems task is to flocculate fibres, fines and fillers along with the colloidal material to improve process parameters. To investigate the retention systems three different retention polymers with different charge densities have been investigated alongside one microparticle. The parameters investigated in this thesis were the retention systems effect on drainage time, turbidity, charge demand and zeta potential. Pulp and white water from PM4 was used to imitate mill conditions.The results showed that the drainage time and turbidity was most effected by the retention aid systems. The polymer with the highest charge yielded the best results. Only minor effects could be detected on charge demand and Zeta potential.