Advanced Studies in Pulp and Paper

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Pulp Sience and  Technology and  of Paper Sience and  Technology (or equivalent).

Teaching Methods

Teaching is provided in theoretical sessions, seminars and tutorial sessions. Theoretical concepts, real situations and some practical examples are presented by the professors and invited experts in the theoretical sessions and seminars. Oral presentation and discussion, supported by slides and videos, will be the main vehicles of communication. Students discuss case studies,practical problems following, an independent approach in the theoretical-classes. In the tutorial sessions students are oriented to prepare a monography where a specific subject is addressed in a deeper way.

Learning Outcomes

It is intended that students remember the composition and structure of the paper fibres and their relevance for the paper final properties, as well as the main types of paper products, the main paper components (fibres, fillers and additives) and their role; know the paper chemistry; know the main unit operations of the paper mill (identifying the processes of mass, heat and momentum transfer); know the fundamentals of furnish preparation, refining, formation, surface treatment and converting, know which are the most important paper properties and the methods used to evaluate them; understand the relevance of the quality control; be aware of the advances in the pulp and paper industry, namely concerning biorefinery, new bleaching processes and new fiber and paper based materials.The CU contribute to the development of individual skills such as ability for research, analysis, synthesis, critical thinking, autonomous learning and working and competence to use the theoretical knowledge.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Wood structure and ultra-structure. Wood polymer (celullose, hemicelulloses and lignin); Pulping Processes Composition, Structure and Properties of pulp and paper Fibres; Pulping processes; The paper machine; Paper Chemistry; Chemistry of the kraft process; Chemistry of bleaching; Recovery boiler and furnace; polymers in papermaking (starch, internal and surface sizing agents, retention and coating agents). Wet-end chemistry; Refining and sheet formation; Surface treatments (poymers, pigments and dyes); Rheology of fillers and pigment suspensions; Types of papers; Printing and imprimability; Fiber recycling and deinking; Composite materials reinforced with cellulose fibers. Cellulose micro and nanofibres: production, characterization and applications. Advanced analytical techniques for the characterization of cellulosic materials. Biorefinery of lignocellulosic materials: lignocellulosic derivatives for the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industry; biofuels.

Head Lecturer(s)

Paulo Jorge Tavares Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 20.0%
Exam: 30.0%
Synthesis work: 50.0%

Assessment
The final classification of the student is based on the preparation and presentation of a monography (synthesis work) with a weight of 100% or in the sum of distinct components (exam, problems solving and synthesis work) with a total weight of 100%: 100.0%

Bibliography

-Paulapuro, H., Levlin, J., Soderhjelm, L. Papermaking Science and Technology. Finnish Paper Engineer’s Association; Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, 20 books serie published between 1999 and 2001.

-Smook, G.A. Handbook for Pulp & Paper Technologists. 3rd Ed. Angus Wilde Publications, Inc., Vancouver, 2002

-Borch, J., Lyne, M., Mark, R.E., Habeger Jr., C.C. Handbook of Physical and Mechanical Testing of Paper and Paperboard. 2nd Ed., Vol 2. Marcel & Dekker Inc., N. York, 2002.

-Sjostrom, E. Wood Chemistry. 2nd Ed., Academic Press, London, 1993

-Clark, J. d'A. Pulp technology and treatment for paper. , 2nd Ed.., Miller Freeman Publications, San Francisco, 1985.

-Casey, James. Pulp & Paper Chemistry and Chemical Technology. 3rd Ed. 4 Vols. Wiley-Interscience, N. York, 1981

-Klemm, D., Kramer, F., Moritz, S., Lindström, T., Ankerfors, M., Gray, D., Dorris, A.  Nanocelluloses: a new family of nature-based materials, Angew. Chem. Int. Edit., 50, 5438-5466  (2011).