Papermaking system and method

Abstract

A method of making paper is described. The method includes providing a calcium bicarbonate solution an providing a cellulosic fibrous material, the cellulosic fibrous material comprising a plurality of elongated fibers having a fiber wall surrounding a hollow interior, the fibrous material having a moisture content. The method also includes adding the calcium bicarbonate solution to the cellulosic fibrous material to form a pulp mixture, the calcium bicarbonate solution containing from 0.5% to about 16% solids of calcium bicarbonate by weight. Further, the method includes dewatering the pulp slurry using a wet press device such that the solids of the calcium bicarbonate by weight is pulsed above and below 16% solids by weight, finally ending above 16% calcium bicarbonate by weight and refining the pulp mixture such that at least some of the calcium ions become associated with the reactive sites in the fiber walls. Further still, the method includes forming a web from the pulp mixture and wet pressing the web.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making paper comprising:
 providing a calcium bicarbonate solution;   providing a cellulosic fibrous material, the cellulosic fibrous material comprising a plurality of elongated fibers having a fiber wall surrounding a hollow interior, the fibrous material having a moisture content;   adding the calcium bicarbonate solution to the cellulosic fibrous material to form a pulp mixture, the calcium bicarbonate solution containing from 0.5% to about 16% solids of calcium bicarbonate by weight;   dewatering the pulp slurry using a wet press device such that the solids of the calcium bicarbonate by weight is pulsed above and below 16% solids by weight, finally ending above 16% calcium bicarbonate by weight;   refining the pulp mixture such that at least some of the calcium ions become associated with the reactive sites in the fiber walls;   forming a web from the pulp mixture; and   wet pressing the web.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 drying the web.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding energy in a steam box prior to wet pressing the web.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein refining includes, at least in part, microwave drying. 
     
     
         5 . A method of making paper comprising:
 providing a cellulosic fibrous material, the cellulosic fibrous material comprising a plurality of elongated fibers having a fiber wall surrounding a hollow interior, the fibrous material having moisture content;   adding a calcium bicarbonate solution to the cellulosic fibrous material to form a pulp mixture, the calcium bicarbonate solution containing up to from 0.5% to 16% solids of calcium bicarbonate by weight, the resulting pulp mixture having a moisture content up to 65% total solids by weight;   refining the pulp mixture such that at least some of the calcium ions become concentrated within the fiber walls;   forming a web from the pulp mixture; and   wet pressing the web.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 drying the web.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 adding energy in a steam box prior to wet pressing the web.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein refining includes, at least in part, microwave drying.