Abstract: A method for increasing the separation of solids from an aqueous slurry containing such solids is disclosed. The separation process is particularly useful in the separation of the solid components of a papermill furnish from water in the manufacture of paper. The method comprises the steps of adding to a paper mill slurry from about 0.003 to about 1.0% by weight based on total solids in the slurry of a phenolic enhancer and a nonionic (meth)acrylamide homopolymer methacrylamide, or anionic or cationic flocculant is added to the slurry in an amount of from about 0.003 to about 0.5% by weight based on total solids in the slurry. Addition order is non-critical. The flocculation of solid components of the paper mill slurry is increased leading to improved retention of filler and fiber on the sheet and increased drainage of water from the cellulosic sheet produced. The method is also applicable to the treatment of waste waters, mineral tailings, oily waste waters, municipal and industrial wastes, and the like.

Abstract: A method for increasing retention and drainage of filling components in a paper making furnish in a paper making process comprising the steps of: making a slurry of filling components, treating the slurry with from about 0.003% to about 2.0% by weight based on total solids of a phenolic enhancer to form a pretreated filling components slurry, adding to the furnish the pretreated slurry and adding to the furnish from about 0.003 to about 0.5% by weight based on total solids in the slurry of a polymeric flocculent, whereby retention and drainage of filling components in the paper making furnish is increased. A preferred enhancer is a condensate of phenol and formaldehyde and preferred flocculants contain acrylamide, methacrylamide, and/or N-vinylformamide.