Date of Award

4-1971

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Paper Science and Engineering

Abstract

With an ever increasing use of wood by the paper industry and pollution of our waterways, it is only natural that we turn to recycling of our products.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the possible use of enzymes detergents as a means of deinking newsprint. It was decided to deink several issues of newspaper by varying the concentration of enzyme detergent over a wide interval of temperature. The pH of the systems was monitored so as not to denature the enzyme. This method yielded pulp with a brightness three or four points over that of the untreated newsprint, with a slight increase in physical strength. An optimum temperature range of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit was obtained, but beyond this point the effect of the enzyme was greatly decreased. It was concluded that the use of enzymes in the deinking process may have a future use if the same general results can be obtained with a bio-degradable enzyme.

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