Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous silica-based sol comprising a nitrogen-containing organic compound and silica-based particles with a specific surface area of at least 300 square meters per gram of silica. The invention further relates to a process for the production of an aqueous silica-based sol comprising a nitrogen-containing organic compound which comprises incorporating a nitrogen-containing organic compound into a silica-based sol containing silica-based particles with a specific surface area of at least 300 square meters per gram of silica. The invention also relates to the use of an aqueous silica-based sol comprising a nitrogen-containing organic compound and silica-based particles with a specific surface area of at least 300 square meters per gram of silica as a flocculating agent in the production of pulp and paper and in water purification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a bicomponent mat, the bicomponent mat which is formed from glass fibers and pulp fibers and methods of making a bicomponent mat. Initially in the method of forming a bicomponent mat, a pulp surface is treated with a cationic polymer in a pulp slurry. The next step involves using a surfactant to disperse glass fibers in a polyacrylamide (PAM)-based white water. The pulp slurry and the slurry of glass fibers are generally compatible and are combined to form a bicomponent furnish. The method has several advantages over conventional methods. First, conventional wet chop products typically cannot be used to form a bicomponent mat in a typical surfactant/PAM-based white water. Second, while some other fibers (such as glass fibers) may be used in the production of bicomponent mats in a typical PAM-based white water, the mat forming process is frequently interrupted and tends to produce very poor quality mats.

Abstract: A process for improving gravure and offset printability of coated and uncoated printing papers by increasing filler share in the paper on the top and bottom sides or in the outer layers of the paper web by using a retention agent, and providing the outerlayers of the fiber bearing liquid forming the paper web with additional retention agent before or during sheet formation on or between the wires of the paper making machine.

Abstract: A process for making paper with increased wet and dry strength by incorporating into the pulp suspension an ionic thermosettable resin which is the reaction product of dialdehyde and epihalohydrin, or epihalohydrin equivalent, with a copolymer containing monomer units derived by polymerization of monomers comprising acrylamide or alkyl-substituted acrylamide and diallylamine or an acid salt thereof. The paper has wet and dry strength greater than that of paper not containing the resin and has a higher repulpability index than wet strength paper that is essentially the same but contains conventional polyazetidinium ion containing wet strength resin instead of the ionic thermosettable resin.

Abstract: Starch is added to the thinstock in a papermaking process in the form of a coagulated slurry containing undissolved starch particles, cationic polymeric flocculant and anionic microparticulate network agglomeration aid, such as bentonite. The flocculant and agglomeration aid interact to give network flocculation in which the starch particles are trapped. Improved retention of the starch in the resulting paper is achieved.

Abstract: A papermaking process consisting essentially of: forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking slurry; adding to the slurry certain additives, with said certain additives selected from the group including: coagulants; sizing agents; and mineral fillers; draining the slurry to form a sheet; and drying the sheet to form a paper sheet; the improvement comprising adding to the slurry, prior to it being drained; an effective amount of a cationic dispersion polymer; which cationic dispersion polymer is a copolymer comprising about 30 mole % diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and about 70 mole % acrylamide (AcAm); and adding to the slurry, either before or after said cationic dispersion polymer is added and the slurry is drained, a microparticle selected from the group consisting of a) copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide; b) bentonite; and c) dispersed silica; with the proviso that said coagulant cannot be a cationic dispersion copolymer comprising about 30 mole % diallyldimethylammonium chloride

Abstract: A method is described for attaining high levels of loading of calcium carbonate fillers in the lumens of wood pulp fibers. The pulp is pretreated with a cationic polymer prior to being impregnated with the filler. Different conditions of pH and temperature are specified depending on whether the filler is a precipitated calcium carbonate or a ground calcium carbonate. The lumen-loaded pulps are used to make novel products with advantages in higher filler retention and sheet strength over conventionally made papers.

Abstract: Condensation polymers, such as polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, can be combined with polysiloxanes in a single molecule to provide several potential benefits, depending upon the specific combination employed, including: (a) wet strength resins that soften; (b) softeners that do not reduce dry or wet tensile strength; (c) wet strength with improved wet/dry tensile ratio; (d) softeners/debonders with reduced linting and sloughing; (e) wet strength aids with controlled absorbency rate; and (f) Yankee dryer additives that provide surface protection and adhesion with controlled release properties.

Abstract: Starch is modified with at least one cationic polymer P) and the modified starch is prepared by a process in which a) an anionically modified starch A) is reacted with a cationic polymer P) or b) a natural starch B) or a starch C) which has not been anionically modified is reacted with the cationic polymer P) in the presence of an anionic modifier M) and the polymer-modified starch is used.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for preparing an aqueous papermaking suspension containing a polyelectrolyte complex comprising providing an aqueous suspension of pulp fibers containing a water-soluble cationic polymer and a water-soluble anionic polymer that are reactable in the aqueous suspension to form the polyelectrolyte complex, and a multivalent cation having at least a +3 charge, and forming the polyelectrolyte complex. It also includes the process wherein the aqueous suspension of pulp fibers contains surface active carboxyl compounds and water-soluble anionic compounds. It further includes the process wherein the aqueous papermaking suspension is sheeted and dried to obtain paper of improved strength.

Abstract: A one-ply paper tissue product and a method of making a one-ply paper product combining high strength and softness along with low sidedness. The paper tissue product exhibits a sidedness parameter of less than 0.3 preferably, less than 0.225, a tensile modulus of no more than 32 grams/percent strain, a GM MMD of no more than about 0.225, and a cross directional strength of at least 200 grams per 3 inches. In stratification tissues, these properties are obtained by control of stratification, particularly, chemical stratification and stratification of furnish when appropriate. The tissue has a sidedness parameter value of less than 0.3, preferably, about 0.15 to about less than 0.225. In homogenous tissue, these properties are obtained by adding a strength enhancing agent to separate furnish sources prior to the funish sources being combined, and further, optionally adding the softener to the nascent web.

Abstract: A method of coagulating particulates, as in papermaking or water clarification applications, for example, is provided wherein a zeolite crystalloid coagulant is added to water containing the solid matter, a source of multivalent cations, and a cationic acrylamide polymer. The zeolite crystalloid coagulant is preferably prepared by admixing aqueous sodium silicate and sodium aluminate solutions to form a reaction mixture and allowing a reaction to proceed for a sufficient time to form a zeolite crystalloid coagulant particles having particle sizes of at least about 4 nm before terminating the reaction.

Abstract: The invention is a method for clarifying, dewatering or improving retention and drainage of industrial waste water or paper furnish with an effective amount of at least one dispersion of a water soluble cationic polymer flocculant wherein the improvement comprises the addition of said polymer which has a concentration of at least twenty five percent to said waste water or paper furnish. The industrial waste is preferably food processing waste water, oily waste water, paper mill waste water and inorganic contaminated waste water. The paper furnish may be an aqueous cellulosic suspension.

Abstract: A novel method of improving drainage rate and retention of fines which is effective in unfilled, newsprint-type furnish without a silica/bentonite-type particle is disclosed. The method comprises adding a cationic or amphoteric starch, and a cationic polyelectrolyte followed by the addition of a high molecular weight anionic polyacrylamide copolymer.