Date of Award

8-2013

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging

First Advisor

Dr. Paul D. Fleming III

Second Advisor

Dr. John Cameron

Third Advisor

Dr. Jan Pekarovic

Fourth Advisor

Dr. John Patten

Keywords

deinking, evaluation, NIR, recycling, paper, fiber

Abstract

Paper recycling in the U.S. is the most successful program of environmental sustainability. Approximately two thirds of consumed paper products were recycled, according to the EPA and AF&PA. However, domestic mills only applied one third of recycled fibers into new products, which is much lower than reported in China (67%). The domestic recycle mills claimed that outdated facilities, poor recycled fiber quality and high manufacturing cost are the major issues. They also said that these recycle mills have been put in a “no-win” position, which threatens the whole recycling loop eventually. A case study about Chinese recycle mills has been applied based on field trips, which were performed to discover their strengths in recycle fiber utilization. INGEDE Deinking Evaluation methods have drawn much attention for domestic users. A modification was made, which overcame the variances of standards and apparatuses. Deinking evaluation is the key to deinking processes. Two new deinking evaluation methods have been introduced, which have shown advantages in accuracy, speed, optical correlation, and operational convenience. The deinking evaluation, using near infrared imaging analysis, is able to replace current industrial standards.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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