Pulp and Paper Science and Technology

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of: Botany, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics; Mass and Energy balances; Fundamentals of Heat transfer.

Teaching Methods

Teaching is provided in theoretical/theoretical-practical sessions, seminars and practices and demonstrations in laboratory. Theoretical concepts, real situations and some practical examples are presented by the professors and invited experts from industry. Oral presentation and discussion, supported by slides and videos, will be the main vehicles of communication. Students are encouraged to discuss and solve case studies and practical problems following, an independent approach and to working in group.Visits to different paper mills are anticipated, as well as laboratories in industry.

Learning Outcomes

It is intended that students know the world and national importance of the pulp and paper industries, understand the basic concepts of the composition and structure of the paper fibres and their relevance for the paper final properties; know 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, sheet 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; make some simple calculations related to the different stages of the process and major equipments; identify in the paper mill the most important operations and equipment.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

World and National Panorama of the Paper and Pulp Industries; Composition, Structure and Properties of pulp and paper Fibres; Pulping processes; The paper machine; Paper Chemistry; Furnish (Pulp Preparation; Refining; Fillers and Additives; Recycling, Deinking and Fiber washing; Sheet formation and structure; pressing; drying; surface treatments; Converting; Types of papers and of papermaking processes; Paper quality control; Sustainability in the Paper Industry; Terminology, fundamental concepts and application; Calculations and balances on the main sectors of papermaking; Laboratory work about paper properties; Visits to Printing Papers and/or Packaging and/or Tissue mills.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
The final classification of the student is based on a final exam (with a minimum weigth of 60%) which includes some questions related to the visits realized during the semester. An additional component for evaluation throughout the semester , based on a synthesis work (short monograph) may be included (with a maximum weigth of 40%).: 100.0%

Bibliography

-Paulapuro,H.,Levlin,J.,Soderhjelm,L.Papermaking Science and Technology.Finnish Paper Engineer’s Association / Tappi,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).-PDF documents provided by the academic staff