Multiquat Acrylamide Polymer for Pitch and Stickies Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In papermaking, the deposition of organic contaminants like pitch and stickies on equipment and paper surfaces leads to reduced process efficiency, paper quality issues, and downtime, with current surfactant additives having limitations such as interference with fiber charge dynamics and causing foaming.
Innovation Solution
A polymer comprising multiquaternized acrylamide-based monomer units is used to treat paper slurry, reducing pitch and stickies deposition, improving retention and drainage, and enhancing dry strength properties like tensile strength and burst index by dispersing contaminants and fixing them to fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cationic polymer dispersants are used to disperse pitch and stickies, then deposition control is improved, but fiber charge dynamics are interfered with and effectiveness of other additives decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer is designed with localized functional groups: cationic groups (for pitch/s stickies interaction), hydrophobic groups (for contaminant binding), and amphoteric groups (for fiber interaction). This spatial distribution of different functional properties allows the polymer to perform multiple functions simultaneously without interfering with other additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a copolymer containing multiple types of monomer units with different chemical properties (cationic, hydrophobic, amphoteric). This composite structure combines the benefits of different functional groups into a single polymer molecule, enabling simultaneous deposition control and compatibility with other papermaking chemicals.
2Reliability
If anionic polymer dispersants are used to disperse pitch and stickies, then deposition control is improved, but precipitation of wet strength agents or inorganic components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer uses cationic and amphoteric groups instead of anionic groups, fundamentally changing the charge parameter. This positive/neutral charge configuration prevents electrostatic repulsion and precipitation reactions with wet strength agents and inorganic components, while still achieving effective pitch and stickies dispersal through hydrophobic interactions.
3Reliability
If nonionic surfactants are used to disperse pitch and stickies, then deposition control is improved, but foaming occurs which upsets the system
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer changes the chemical nature from nonionic surfactant to a charged copolymer system. This parameter change eliminates foaming by using ionic interactions and hydrophobic binding mechanisms rather than surfactant-based surface tension reduction, while maintaining effective deposition control through the cationic and hydrophobic functional groups.
4Productivity
If pitch and stickies are not controlled, then process efficiency is reduced and downtime increases, but using current surfactants causes interference with charge dynamics and foaming
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer concentrates deposition control functionality in specific local regions (hydrophobic groups and cationic groups) while leaving other parts of the molecule available for fiber interaction and system compatibility. This localized functionality achieves high productivity improvement without generating harmful side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer converts the naturally hydrophobic and adhesive properties of pitch and stickies (which cause problems) into beneficial binding sites. The hydrophobic groups in the polymer specifically target and bind these contaminants, transforming their harmful adhesive nature into a controlled binding mechanism that improves process efficiency without side effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polymer effectively reduces pitch and stickies deposition, improves paper strength, and enhances drainage efficiency, leading to improved paper quality and reduced downtime.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer comprises multiquaternized acrylamide-based monomer units which provide cationic charge for electrostatic attraction to negatively charged pitch and stickies contaminants
Implementation Method 2
The polymer structure includes hydrophobic groups that interact with the hydrophobic pitch and stickies contaminants through hydrophobic association, enhancing dispersion and preventing deposition
Implementation Method 3
The polymer fixes contaminants to fibers through adsorption mechanisms, improving retention and preventing the contaminants from depositing on machine wires, felts, and other equipment surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An acrylamide-based polymer which contains one or more multiquaternized (“multiquat”) monomer unit(s) is provided. The acrylamide-based polymer can be used in a papermaking process to reduce pitch and stickies deposition, improve retention and drainage, and enhance dry strength properties of paper. Also included is a method of controlling pitch and stickies deposition in papermaking comprising treating pulp slurry with an acrylamide-based polymer which contains one or more multiquaternized (“multiquat”) monomer unit(s).