Researchers:
Prof. Dr. Wan Rosli Wan Daud
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zarita Zainuddin
Ms. Rose Farahiyan Munawar
Mr. Mohd. Asro bin Ramli
Papermaking in Malaysia is essentially based on recycled fibers. One of the major issues faced by mills using recycled fibers is the diminishing strength of papers with recycling. It is the object of this invention to introduce a new class of biodegradable chemicals derived from locally naturally occuring material (the oil palm residues), hence aptly named Palmcel, which can augment both the dry and wet strength of papers. Artificial neural networks, in particular the Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) has been used for process optimization.
For a successful operation, the strength additive has to be water soluble to allow maximumabsorption onto the cellulose fibers and contain functional groups that are capable to bond the fibers thereby increasing the paper strength, both of which are characteristics of Palmcel.
Palmcel, can be used in various ways. Firstly, by addition at the papermaking wet-end process, in which it is mixed with the fiber furnish before paper is formed. It can also be used as a tub size, where the already formed paper is passed through a shallow bath containing the biopolymer aqueous solution. Alternatively, it can be applied as spray/coat onto a sheet of paper/paper products to enhance the strength properties.
For more information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Wan Rosli Wan Daud
(Contact details are available to registered journalists)
