Abstract: A process for flocculating filler particles in water is provided. The process comprises adding a flocculant to a mixture comprising filler particles and water, wherein the flocculant has a reduced specific viscosity (“RSV”) of from about 5 dL/g to about 16 dL/g, a viscosity average molecular weight of from about 1,200,000 to about 7,500,000, and a cationic charge of from about 5 mol % to about 50 mol %. Flocs formed by flocculation of the filler particles and the flocculant have a median particle size of from about 10 ?m to about 150 ?m. The filler is not precipitated calcium carbonate alone. The flocs provided by the process are useful in increasing ash content of a paper product.

Abstract: Methods of improving dewatering efficiency, increasing sheet wet web strength, increasing sheet wet strength, and enhancing filler retention in a papermaking process are disclosed. The methods improve the efficiency of drainage aids, wet web strength aids, and/or wet strength aids by coating at least some of the filler particles with a material that prevents the filler materials form adhering to a those additives.

Abstract: A process for flocculating filler particles in water is provided. The process comprises adding a flocculant to a mixture comprising filler particles and water, wherein the flocculant has a reduced specific viscosity (“RSV”) of from about 5 dL/g to about 16 dL/g, a viscosity average molecular weight of from about 1,200,000 to about 7,500,000, and a cationic charge of from about 5 mol % to about 50 mol %. Flocs formed by flocculation of the filler particles and the flocculant have a median particle size of from about 10 um to about 150 um. The filler is not precipitated calcium carbonate alone. The flocs provided by the process are useful in increasing ash content of a paper product.

Abstract: Methods of improving dewatering efficiency, increasing sheet wet web strength, increasing sheet wet strength, and enhancing filler retention in a papermaking process are disclosed. The methods improve the efficiency of drainage aids, wet web strength aids, and/or wet strength aids by coating at least some of the filler particles with a material that prevents the filler materials form adhering to a those additives.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving dewatering efficiency, increasing sheet wet web strength, increasing sheet wet strength and enhancing filler retention in a papermaking process The method improves the efficiency of drainage aids or wet web strength aids or wet strength aid by coating at least some of the filler particles with a material that prevents the filler materials form adhering to a those additives. The drainage additive or wet web strength additive or wet strength aid holds the cellulose fibers together tightly and is not wasted on the filler particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for optimally feeding an ASA emulsion into a papermaking process. An intense transmission of ultrasonic energy rapidly and efficiently forms an ASA emulsion. Nearly simultaneous to forming the emulsion, the emulsion is fed into a high-speed dual conduit feeding apparatus, which quickly mixes the ASA emulsion with other chemicals and feeds the mixture directly into a papermaking process. The invention operates so fast that virtually no hydrolysis of the ASA occurs. This both prevents damage to the papermaking machinery and improves the quality of the produced paper. The invention operates 10-20 times faster than mechanical based emulsion methods and requires 1/7 as much energy to operate. The invention also self-monitors the process and can automatically correct any detected problems with the fed ASA emulsion.

Abstract: A method for improving RDF aids efficacy, paper machine performance and sheet properties formed during a papermaking process is disclosed. The methodology includes the following steps: (a) applying one or more RDF aids to the papermaking process to a point between after the headbox and on or before the first drainage element of a papermaking process.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for optimally feeding an ASA emulsion into a papermaking process. An intense transmission of ultrasonic energy rapidly and efficiently forms an ASA emulsion. Nearly simultaneous to forming the emulsion, the emulsion is fed into a high-speed dual conduit feeding apparatus, which quickly mixes the ASA emulsion with other chemicals and feeds the mixture directly into a papermaking process. The invention operates so fast that virtually no hydrolysis of the ASA occurs. This both prevents damage to the papermaking machinery and improves the quality of the produced paper. The invention operates 10-20 times faster than mechanical based emulsion methods and requires 1/7 as much energy to operate. The invention also self-monitors the process and can automatically correct any detected problems with the fed ASA emulsion.

Abstract: A method of forming a coated SBS board product is provided. An SBS board product is formed without being processed by a Yankee dryer or a wet-stack calendar, and further comprises a plurality of fiber plies, including outermost plies forming the top and back sides and comprised of bleached chemical pulp, and medial plies disposed between the outermost plies and comprised of pulp and/or broke. The SBS board is precalendered with a surface conditioning device and then the top side coated at least once such that the coated SBS board product has a density of between about 500 kg/m3 and about 1000 kg/m3, and a basis weight of between about 150 g/m2 and about 400 g/m2, and the top side has a PPS-s10 roughness of between about 0.5 ?m and about 2.0 ?m and a Hunter gloss of between about 40%o and about 80%.

Abstract: A method of forming a coated printing paper product is provided. A printing paper product is first coated in a non-contact coating process. The printing paper product is then final calendered with a surface conditioning device. The coated printing paper product is formed for offset printing with a bulk of between about 1.15 m3/kg and about 1.3 m3/kg, and with the top side of the coated printing paper product having a PPS-s10 roughness of between about 0.7 ?m and about 1.5 ?m and a Hunter gloss of between about 30% and about 80%.

Abstract: A paper machine for the manufacture of LWC printing paper which is coated once has a headbox (100), a gap former (200), a press section (300) having at least one extended nip press, a pre-dryer section (400) in which a web (W) is dried applying at least cylinder drying (R1-R7), a precalender (500) in which the web (W) is pre-calendered, at least one portion which is formed of a coating station (600) and an after-dryer section (700) and in which the web (W) is coated on both sides applying a film coating method or a non-contact coating method and dried applying at least contact-free drying (710), an end calender (800) in which the web (W) is calendered, and a reel-up (900) in which the web (W) is reeled. The pre-calender (500) is a calender which is provided with at least one nip (NE1, NE2) and in which both surfaces of the web are in contact with a calendering backup surface having a surface temperature of at least 200° C., advantageously at least 250° C.