Paper Composition Using Microfibrillated Cellulose
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high energy requirement for refining thermomechanical pulp (TMP) is costly and environmentally undesirable, and replacing high energy TMP with low energy TMP can adversely affect the physical properties of supercalendered magazine paper, such as ink holdout and strength.
Innovation Solution
A paper product comprising a combination of high energy TMP and low energy TMP, with the addition of microfibrillated cellulose and optional inorganic particulate material, which reduces the energy input during pulp refining and maintains or improves the physical properties of the paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high energy TMP refining is used, then ink holdout and paper strength are improved, but energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining high energy TMP, low energy TMP, and microfibrillated cellulose in a blended pulp composition. This composite approach allows the paper to achieve the desired strength properties through the synergistic interaction of different fiber types, reducing reliance on high energy TMP alone and thereby lowering overall energy costs while maintaining paper strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the pulp by introducing microfibrillated cellulose at controlled concentrations (0.1-10% by weight) and adjusting the ratio of high to low energy TMP. This parameter modification alters the physical and mechanical properties of the paper, enabling reduced energy input during refining while preserving ink holdout and strength characteristics
2Use of energy by moving object
If low energy TMP is used to reduce energy cost, then energy cost decreases, but ink holdout and paper strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microfibrillated cellulose as an intermediary component that mediates between low energy TMP and the desired paper strength requirements. The microfibrillated cellulose acts as a reinforcing agent that compensates for the reduced strength contribution from low energy TMP, enabling the system to achieve adequate paper strength with lower energy input during refining
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite pulp system combining low energy TMP with microfibrillated cellulose and controlled amounts of high energy TMP, the patent achieves a material composition that delivers both reduced energy costs and maintained paper strength through the complementary properties of the different components
3Strength
If high mineral loadings are used in SC paper, then ink holdout is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mineral loading parameters by incorporating inorganic particulate material at optimized concentrations (1-50% by weight of the paper composition) and adjusting particle size distributions. This parameter optimization achieves the necessary ink holdout properties while simplifying the manufacturing process by establishing clear, controllable compositional ranges rather than requiring complex processing conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A paper product may include high energy thermomechanical pulp (TMP), low energy TMP, and microfibrillated cellulose. The paper product may also include inorganic particulate material. A papermaking composition suitable for making the paper product, a process for preparing the paper product, and use of microfibrillated cellulose may include high energy TMP, low energy TMP, and microfibrillated cellulose, and optionally inorganic particulate material. The microfibrillated cellulose may have a fiber steepness of from about 20 to about 50 in the paper product.