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Quality improvement of paper from bamboo and hardwood furnish through

fiber fractionation

Article  in  Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research · May 2005

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Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research
Vol. 64, April 2005, pp. 299-305

Quality improvement of paper from bamboo and hardwood furnish through

fiber fractionation
Y V Sood*, P C Pande, Sanjay Tyagi, Indranil Payra, Nisha and A G Kulkarni
Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute, Post Box No 174, Saharanpur 247 001
Received 29 October 2004; accepted 28 February 2005

This study is aimed to improve the quality of paper made from hardwoods (70-80%) and bamboo furnish (20-30%)
through fractionation process. The fiber fractionation followed by selective processing of each fraction proved to be a better
option to produce paper of improved quality in terms of strength, optical and printing properties. The paper also discusses
the machine runnability with fractionated pulp samples based on Wet web properties and fines content of fractionated pulp.
The possibilities of using different fractions in different grades were also explored. This is a good opportunity for mills
having multiple paper machines and making different varieties of paper.
Keywords: Fiber fractionation, Fiber rising, Bamboo, Hardwood, Refining, Fluff
IPC Code: D 21 H 17/72

Introduction the common furnish components of Indian mills, are

Fiber fractionation processes, which utilize
maximum potential of the fibers and produce better
quality paper, are becoming increasingly important in
paper industry. Fractionation of pulps separates fibers
according to different fiber properties like length,
coarseness, flexibility etc. This offers the paper maker
options to produce paper with optimum properties for
a specific application by controlling the refining
conditions, use of additives, dewatering conditions at
the wet end and draws in the dryer section. The
fractionation generates two pulp fractions of different
fiber length distribution or shive content.
Fractionation can be used to separate different fibers
and hence paper characteristics1–3. In paper making,
current practice is to reduce the grammage of paper to
save raw material and to cut energy cost, postal cost
and waste. Reduction in basis weight3 of paper will
affect almost all paper properties (Table 1). By
fractionation, it becomes possible to use better
fraction in making low grammage paper.
Fractionation prior to papermaking is the common
practice abroad for paper manufacture from waste
paper furnish. In this paper, blends like bamboo and
mixed hardwoods (75:25), agricultural residues and
softwood or jute (85:15), and waste paper, which are
_________
*Author for correspondence
Tel: +91 0132 2725317 / 229
E-mail: yvsood@rediffmail.com
evaluated systematically for their fractionation
behavior.
Fiber fractionation followed by selective processing
of each fraction is an efficient means of producing
papers of better quality in terms of strength, optical
and printing properties. This process results in
reducing energy requirement, improves recombined
strength and also reduces fines generation. This
technology, extensively used in developing countries,
is not used in India primarily because of lack of
knowledge about pulps produced from indigenous
raw materials. After fractionation of pulp in two
fractions, it may be directed to the desired product.
Long fibers may be used in manufacturing paper of
good strength, while relatively short fraction may be
used in producing inferior quality paper. Further it is
assumed that blending of long fibers fraction with
short fiber pulp after beating the pulps separately
gives better strength properties when compared to the
pulp obtained from mixed pulp beating.
Fiber fractionation lists many methods to separate
fibers into long and short components4−6. Fractiona-
tion also results in removal of fines from furnish by
separating out much of this material with short fiber
furnish. By separating short, low freeness fiber,
only longer portion of furnish needs to be refined,
resulting in a possible overall decrease in refining
energy.
300 J SCI IND RES VOL 64 APRIL 2005

Table 1— Effect on paper properties by increasing the Results and Discussion

grammage (range, 15−60 g/m2)3 Strength Development in Fractionated Pulp
Property Effect Bleached Pulp (70-80% mixed hardwood, 20-30%
bamboo pulp), which is a typical furnish of big mills
Wet web properties at constant solid content
in India, was collected from a mill and subjected to
Tensile Index Increases fractionation and refining studies. Bauer McNett
Stretch Increases classification indicated that (+50) fraction (mesh
TEA Index Increases opening 0.297 mm) in such pulp mixture is about 45
Dry sheet properties per cent and (+30) fraction (mesh opening 0.595 mm)
is about 20 per cent. The amount of fines (passing 200
Formation (Grammage Decreases and then levels off
variation)
mesh) in whole pulp is about 20−25 per cent. The
Density Increases pulp was separated into following two groups of
Absorption coefficient, Increases and then levels off fractions: (i) Retained on +50 mesh and passing −50
Scattering coefficient, Increases and then levels off mesh; (ii) Retained on +30 mesh and passing −30
Opacity, Increases and then levels off mesh.
Tensile index, Increases and then levels off The Fiber Strength Index, which is indicative of the
Elastic modulus, Increases and then levels off intrinsic strength of fiber, was highest for (+30)
Stretch at breaks, Increases and then levels off fraction followed by (+50) fraction (Table 2). This
Zero span No effect indicated that paper having high tearing strength
Tear Index Depends on furnish could be manufactured using this fraction. The
Table 2— Fiber strength and presence of vessel elements in different fractions were studied for strength
different pulp fractions development behavior by beating in laboratory PFI
mill.
Amount FSI Vessel element
Fraction sieve
% km frequencies
Studies on the Strength Improvement of Fractionated Pulp
+50 45 13.2 Little (+50 and -50 Fraction)
-50 55 11.2 Excessive The development of bonding strength
+30 20 14.2 Very little characteristics (tensile, bursting) on beating at a
-30 80 10.2 Excessive particular apparent density level is more for +50
Experimental Methodology fraction than -50 fraction (Figs 1, 2). The behavior of
Bleached/unbleached pulp samples, collected from the tearing strength is also in the same way (Fig. 3).
mill, contain hardwood (70-80%) and bamboo pulp Specific scattering co-efficient, which is an important
(20-30%). The fiber fractionation was carried out on property for printing grade paper, as it affects opacity
laboratory Bauer McNett fiber classifier. The pulp and print through, is also improved if pulp is
was beaten in PFI mill as per ISO 5264/2-1979 (E) fractionated and treated separately (Fig. 4). This is
method. The handsheets, prepared on British probably due to a better refining action impact on the
handsheet former according to ISO 5269-1 method, fibers when treated separately than as a mixture.
were conditioned (temp, 27±1°C; relative humidity, There are always two possibilities of making paper
65±2%) prior to testing. The following tests were from the fractionated pulp. One is refining the two
carried out as per standard methods: (i) Thickness, fractions separately and then mixing to form a paper
ISO 534:1988 (E); (ii) Tensile Strength Index, ISO sheet. The second, which is generally preferred, is to
1924-2:1994 (E); (iii) Tearing Strength Index, ISO make different grade of papers on different paper
1974:1994 (E); (iv) Burst Strength Index, ISO 2758; machines. For the first approach, following three
(v) Specific Scattering Coefficient, SCAN C 27-69; possibilities were examined: (i) Sheet prepared using
(vi) Folding Endurance, ISO 5626:1993(E); (vii) as such pulp; (ii) Sheet prepared using +50 fraction
Fiber Rising Test, Using Fiber Rising Tester; (viii) beaten to 450 CSF and −50 fraction beaten to 300
Fiber Strength Index, Using Pulmac Short Span CSF and mixing to get blend around 350 CSF; and
Tensile Tester; (ix) Wet Web TEA Index, SCAN- (iii) Multilayered sheets prepared using +50 and -50
M18; (x) Kink Index, using Fiber Quality Analyzer; fractions. The −50 fraction was kept between two
and (xi) Curl Index, Using Fiber Quality Analyzer. layers of +50 fraction.
 SOOD et al: QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF PAPER FROM BAMBOO AND HARDWOOD FURNISH
Fig. 1 — Development of Tensile Index on beating of as such and
different fractions of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp, 20-30%
bamboo)
Fig. 2 — Development of Burst Index on beating of as such and
different fraction of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp, 20-30%
bamboo)
Fig. 3 — Development of Tear Index on beating of as such and
different fractions of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp, 20-30%
bamboo)
Fig. 4 — Effect of Specific Scattered Coefficient with beating of
as such and different fractions of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp,
20-30% bamboo)
301
The results (Table 3) indicated that the better paper
characteristics are obtained when sheet is prepared
using last two approaches. There is an increase in
Tensile Index (15%), Tear Index (15%) and Burst
Index (5%) of single layered sheet prepared after
recombining the +50 and –50 fractions as compared
to unfractionated pulp. Similarly, multilayered sheets,
formed by keeping shorter fraction between two
layers of longer fractions, showed increase in Tensile
Index (17.5%), Tear Index (16.2%) and Burst Index
(8%) in comparison to unfractionated pulp. This
indicated that better strength packaging grade paper
could be produced from fractionated pulp. The vessels
pick number and fiber rising characteristics, which are
indicative of fluff problems on paper machine dryers
and on printing press, were reduced. Thus, lower
vessel pick number and fiber rising characteristics
indicated possibilities of reducing the fluff problem
on paper making dryers and on printing presses. The
second approach producing paper on different
machines will enable to produce paper on one
machine with higher surface strength like lithographic
grades and other like copier and printing papers.
Studies on the Strength Improvement of Fractionated Pulp
(+30 and -30 Fraction)
Similar to +50 and -50 fractions, the development
of tensile strength and bursting strength on beating is
more for +30 fraction (Figs 5, 6). However, the trend
of tearing strength of +30 fraction is entirely different
than that observed for +50 fraction. The behavior is
similar to softwood pulp (Fig. 7). This indicated that
such fractionation would only be useful for producing
packing grade paper, where tearing strength and
tensile energy absorption properties are important.
Also the amount of + 30 fraction is only 20 per cent.
Hence, it is advisable for pulps (70−80% hardwood,
20-30% bamboo) to fractionate into +50, −50 fraction
as compared to +30, −30 fractions. The effect on
specific scattering co-efficient reduction on beating is
relatively lower in case of +30 fraction than other
wood pulps (Fig. 8).
Proposed Fractionation System for Pulp (Mixed hardwood,
70-80 %; Bamboo pulp, 20-30 %)
In the proposed fractionation system, unbleached
pulp is given fractionation treatment at three
fractionators—primary, secondary and tertiary
(Fig. 9). In primary and secondary stages, hole
screens are suggested to be used and in tertiary, slot
size screen is preferred to be used. The short fractions
302 J SCI IND RES VOL 64 APRIL 2005

Table 3 — Characteristics of handsheets refined as such and after fractionation (+50/-50)

and blending for bleached pulp (80 % hardwood, 20 % bamboo)

Type of hand sheets

After fractionation
Characteristics
As such Single layered Multi layered
sheet sheet

Freeness, CSF, ml 370 390 390

Specific scattering coefficient, m2/kg 28.4 29.9 29.2
Apparent density, cm3/g 0.83 0.80 0.81
Tensile Index, N.m/g 57.0 66.0 67.0
Tear Index, mN.m2/g 6.50 7.50 7.55
Burst Index, kPa.m2/g 3.80 4.00 4.10
Porosity, Bendtsen, ml/min 430 450 410
Double fold, No. 62 69 72
Vessels pick No, No. per 2000 mm2 20 10 5
Fiber Rising Test
LRC, mm/m 2.647 1.668 0.998
TRA, mm2/m 0.87 0.27 0.17

Fig. 5 — Development of Tensile Index on beating of as such and Fig. 7 — Development of Tear Index on beating of as such and
different fractions of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp & bamboo different fractions of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp, 20-30%
20-30%) bamboo)

Fig. 6 — Development of Burst Index on beating of as such &
different fraction of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp, 20-30%
bamboo)
of all these three can be collected together. The
unbleached long fraction can be used to produce
packaging grade papers. The short fraction after
bleaching is again separated into two fractions using
slot type screen, the long fraction can be used for
production of better grades of writing and printing
papers as well as copier papers and short fraction can
be used for ordinary writing printing and MG poster
grade quality.
Fig. 8 — Effect of specific scattered coefficient on beating of as
such and different fractions of pulp (70-80% hardwood pulp, 20-
30% bamboo)
Strength Development in Different Fractions in Proposed
Fractionating System Simulated in the Laboratory
In the longer fraction, the development of tensile
and bursting strength is better than shorter fraction
and overall strength is better than as such pulp (Figs
10-12). The folding endurance has also shown the
same trend (Fig. 13). Tearing strength of longer
fraction has shown first increase and then drop on
increasing the beating. This is a typical behavior of
 SOOD et al: QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF PAPER FROM BAMBOO AND HARDWOOD FURNISH 303

Fig. 9 — Typical fiber fractionation system for pulp containing hardwood and bamboo pulp

Fig. 10 — Apparent density vs Tensile Index of mixed hardwood

and bamboo unbleached pulp (as such and different fractions) Fig. 12 — Apparent density vs Tear Index of mixed hardwood
unbleached pulp (as such and different fractions)

Fig. 11 — Apparent density vs Burst Index of mixed hardwood Fig. 13 — Apparent density vs In (No. of double folds) of mixed
and bamboo unbleached pulp (as such and different fractions) hardwood unbleached Pulp (as such and different fractions)
304 J SCI IND RES VOL 64 APRIL 2005

Table 4 — Fiber Strength Index of different pulp fractions

Pulp fraction Fiber Strength Index
km

Unbleached pulp as such 12.4

Unbleached longer fraction 16.5
Unbleached shorter fraction 11.5
Bleached longer fraction 10.2
Bleached shorter fraction 8.5

Table 5—Wet Web characteristics of different pulps at 350±50

CSF
Wet Web TEA Index at 20% Fig. 14 — Apparent density vs Tensile Index of bleached mixed
Pulp hardwood pulp (as such and different fractions)
solid, mJ/g

Unbleached pulp as such 65.6

Long fraction unbleached 90.5
Short fraction unbleached 62.0
Bleached pulp as such 52.0
Long fraction bleached pulp 64.0
Short fraction bleached pulp 50.0

Table 6 — Effect on fiber and fines distribution on

fractionation of pulp

Pulp Ratio +50/−50 Ratio −200/+50

Unbleached
As such 1.20 0.50
Long fraction after 1.80 0.30
test screen
Short fraction 1.08 0.48
Fig. 15 — Apparent density vs Tear Index of bleached mixed
Bleached hardwood pulp (as such and different fractions)
As such 0.69 0.70
Long fraction 0.85 0.62 Wet web TEA of Different Fractions of Pulp
Short fraction 0.73 0.64 Wet web tensile indices of these pulps indicated
that long fraction pulps have better Wet Web Tensile
softwood type pulp as the tearing strength is Absorption Index than as such pulp (Table 5), which
dependent mainly on the fiber length and bonding. indicated that it is possible to run the machine at
The reduction in fiber length on beating at initial higher speed using this pulp. The short fraction pulps
beating stage is low, which is probably due to highest can be used for slow speed paper machine.
Fiber Strength Index (Table 4). This type of pulp will
be more suitable for packaging grade paper, where Fiber and Fines Distribution of Different Pulp Fractions
high tearing strength and tensile absorption are the Bauer McNett classifier of the different pulp
main requirements. fraction indicated that the ratio of +50 fraction to −50
Bleached pulp, obtained after bleaching the shorter fraction after fractionation in such sequence has
fraction of original pulp separated into two fractions, increased from 1.20 to 1.80 and in the short fraction it
showed that longer fraction have potential of better has decreased to 1.08. Also, the amount of fines
strength (tensile, tear) than shorter pulp fraction (Figs (passing 200) is relatively lower in the longer fraction
14, 15). In the shorter fraction, these properties are (Table 6). Similar trend is observed for the further
lower than as such pulp. This means that better grades fractionated bleached pulp. This indicated that the
of writing printing paper like offset and Map litho can drain ability of long fraction will be better, which, in
be manufactured from longer fraction. The shorter turn, indicated the possibility of increasing the filler
fraction can be used for ordinary type of writing paper loading in such pulp without adverse effect on the
and photocopier. paper machine runnability.
 SOOD et al: QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF PAPER FROM BAMBOO AND HARDWOOD FURNISH
Table 7 — Fiber Characteristics of fractionated pulp samples containing bamboo and hardwood
Fiber length Fiber width
Pulp
mm µm
Unbleached
Whole 1.59 15.7
Long fraction 1.75 15.9
Short fraction 1.50 15.8
Bleached
Whole 1.47 16.0
Long fraction 1.55 16.0
Short fraction 1.43 15.5
Characteristics of Different Pulp Fractions and their
Suitability for Different Grades
The Curl Index, which indicates about the
curvature of fibers, is the ratio of the true contour
fiber length divided by the projected length of fiber
minus one. The Kink Index indicates the abrupt
change in fiber curvature. The fractionation of the
pulp has helped in getting the pulp components
having different fiber length, Kink Index and Curl
Index (Table 7). This indicated that different grades of
paper could be made using different fractions.
Generally pulps with high Curl and Kink Indices
produce paper of high Tear strength, bulk, wet web
stretch, porosity and absorbency. However, high Curl
and Kink give paper of lower tensile strength,
bursting strength and bending stiffness.
Conclusions
Fiber fractionation followed by selective processing
of each fraction for furnish (70-80% hardwood, 20-
30% bamboo) is a better option to produce paper of
improved quality in term of strength, optical and
printing properties. Paper of better surface strength
can be prepared if multi layered sheet is prepared
keeping short fraction between two layers of longer
fraction. The short fraction showed lower vessels pick
number and fiber rising tendency. This indicated less
fluff-generating tendency at paper machine dryers and
printing press. The behavior of +30 fraction from such
furnish is similar to softwood pulp indicating that
better tensile energy absorption and tearing strength
properties can be attained which are the requirement
of good quality packaging paper. The separations of
above furnish into fractions of +50 (mesh opening
0.297 mm) and –50 should be preferred to +30 (mesh
opening 0.595 mm) if the mill is interested to
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305
Fines content Kink Index Curl
% 1/mm Index
14.3 2.01 0.15
8.7 2.07 0.16
14.7 1.65 0.13
15.3 1.50 0.13
14.3 1.60 0.14
16.5 1.20 0.11
manufacture writing and printing grade paper. By
fractionation, the development in bonding strength
characteristics (tensile, bursting) at particular apparent
density level can be improved. This is due to
separation of fibers having different fiber length, curl
and Kink Index.
The proposed fractionating system simulated in
laboratory using the pulp collected from mill also
indicates the better strength properties when pulp is
fractionated as compared to unfractionated pulp thus
confirming the above laboratory results. The wet web
TEA of long fraction is more than short fraction thus
indicating its better runnability at paper machine with
increased speed. The decrease in the fines contents of
fractionated pulp as indicated by long fraction to short
fraction ratio will result in better drainability at wire
part of paper machine thus helping in increasing the
machine speed.
References
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D thesis, Laboratory of pulping Technology, Helsinki
University of Technology, Helsinki, 1993, 155.
3 Seth R, Jantunen J & Mass C, The effect of grammage on
sheet properties, Appita, 42 (1989) 42-48.
4 Selfa P & Long K J, Fiber fractionation – methods and
applications Tappi, 57 (10) (1974) 69−72.
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cleaners, M S Thesis, Miami University, Oxford OH, 1983
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