Application of chemical aids after a headbox of a papermaking process

Abstract

A method for improving sizing 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 sizing chemicals to the papermaking process to a point between after the headbox and on or before the first drainage element of a papermaking process.

1 . A method of applying one or more chemicals to a papermaking process comprising:
 applying said chemicals between a headbox slice opening and a first drainage element of said papermaking process, wherein said chemicals include at least one of the following:   sizing chemicals; internal sizing chemicals; surface sizing chemicals; rosin; alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA); alkyl ketene dimmer (AKD); styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA); and ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemicals are applied to a papermaking process location that is proximate to a headbox slice opening. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said proximate refers to a distance from 0 cm to about 20 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said proximate refers to a distance from 0 cm to about 10 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said papermaking process contains a foudrinier paper machine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said papermaking process contains a gap forming paper machine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemicals are applied to said papermaking process by a spray bar, optionally wherein the spray bar is installed onto a headbox top slice cover. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemicals are applied to a papermaking process by using a slice blade, which is associated with the papermaking process. 
     
     
         9 . A method of improving sheet and/or web properties formed from a cellulosic suspension of a papermaking process: applying one or more chemicals between a headbox slice opening and a first drainage element of said papermaking process, wherein said chemicals are selected from the group consisting of: sizing chemicals, internal sizing chemicals, surface sizing chemicals, rosin, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA); alkyl ketene dimmer (AKD), styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA), and ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA); optionally performing one or more measurements of the sizing properties of a sheet and/or web of said papermaking process; optionally wherein a plurality of said measurements provide a cross-directional profile of said web and/or said sheet properties in said papermaking process; and optionally controlling said web and/or sheet properties by adjusting the application of said chemicals to the papermaking process in response to said one or more measurements. 
     
     
         10 . A method to activate a papermaking process chemical program containing a plurality of chemical components that are applied to said papermaking process comprised of: applying a first chemical component before a headbox slice opening and wherein a second chemical component is applied between a headbox slice opening and a first drainage element of said papermaking process, wherein said first chemical component contains at least one of the following: sizing chemicals; internal sizing chemicals; surface sizing chemicals; rosin; alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA); alkyl ketene dimmer (AKD); styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA); and ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said second chemical component is applied to a forming wire that contains a papermaking furnish and wherein said application is optionally applied across the whole forming wire width. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said second component is at least one of the following: alum or PAC.