Evaluation of fillers and fines in paper and board within seconds: non-destructive, accurate and reliable
This article was published in Spanish language in the El Papel Magazine, Issue April, May, June 2020 beginning on page 22
With the emtec ACA Ash Content Analyzer, a new way to measure the total mineral filler content as well as the percentage content of the individual filler components of paper and board, is finally introduced to the pulp and paper industry worldwide.
With the Ash Content Analyzer (ACA), emtec Electronic aims to overcome the disadvantages of the traditional combustion method. The innovative lab instrument replaces combustion with x-ray technology, enabling the non-destructive measurement of individual mineral fillers in paper and board shown as combined or separate results. Time consuming test procedures are no longer necessary, because the data are available for e.g. process optimization in less than one minute.
Common practice in pulp, paper and board industry
In the pulp, paper and board industry, mineral fillers and fines are used to influence the characteristics of the paper, either internally or on the surface. Typical fillers are for example calcium carbonate, kaolin, titanium dioxide, talcum and barium white. If recycled pulp is used in the production, an additional element of uncertainty are the fines and fillers, which are already included in the recycled material. To optimize the necessary additional amount of fillers and fines used in the production, the existing amount of fillers and fines within the waste paper needs to be known. If fillers and fines can be added optimally, the quality of the finished product increases.