Mill practice report on St. Thomas Paper Corporation, Sto. Tomas Batangas, Philippines Special topic: Evaluation of corrugating medium 150 fibers in the headbox of St. Thomas Paper Corporation

Date

4-2014

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Major Course

Major in Pulp and Paper Technology

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Ronniel D. Manalo

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

The practicum was conducted in St. Thomas Paper Corporation (STPC) located at Makban Road, Brgy. San Felix, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The training lasted for 240 hours. STPC is a paper company that produces corrugating medium (CM) of grades 115, 125, and 150. A special topic was also conducted. It dealt with the evaluation of the secondary fibers from the headbox of the paper mill. Thirty CM 150 fibers were measured and derived fiber indices were computed. Fiber dimensions such as fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness were 0.929 mm, 0.022 mm, 0.011 mm and 5.433 μm, respectively. Generally, the fibers were similar to hardwood fibers in terms of fiber dimensions. Classification of fibers by length using Bauer McNett showed that the highest percentage of fibers (33.10%) had length between 0.149 mm to 0.297 mm. Fiber indices namely: Runkel ratio Mulsteph ratio flexibility ratio fiber density and relative index of flexibility were 0.982, 42.374, 0.495, 0.505 and 171.055, respectively. Compared with ideal values, the fibers satisfied all the categories except for Mulsteph ratio. This indicates that the fibers were shorter but flexible. Shorter fibers tend to produce weaker paper. Handsheets were prepared and were tested for properties. Ring crush test (RCT) and Concura medium test (CMT) were also performed. The basis weight, thickness, bursting strength, tearing resistance, tensile strength, and folding endurance of the handsheets were 77.70 g/m2, 0.14 mm, 88.58 kPa, 678.32 mN, 2164.72 N/m and 11.38, respectively. RCT and CMT values were 0.85 kN/m and 255.06 N, respectively. Compared to published literature, the bursting strength, tearing resistance, tensile strength, and folding endurance of the handsheets were higher but RCT and CMT values were lower compared to values from Philippine National Standards. The last two parameters were positively proportional to fiber length. The evaluation of the fibers using the fiber indices and the test results conformed to each other. With RCT and CMT as the most important tests for CM, it can be concluded that the fibers were suitable for papermaking based on fiber indices but modifications can be made to improve the quality of their product.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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