The retention of paper in the forming part of a paper machine refers to the amount of fiber or solids

that are retained on the wire or mesh as the water drains away during the formation of the paper
sheet. It is an important parameter that affects paper quality and process efficiency. The retention
can be calculated using the following formula:

Retention (%) = (Mass of Fiber Retained on Wire / Mass of Fiber in the Feed) x 100

To calculate the retention, you need to measure or estimate the mass of fiber retained on the wire
and the mass of fiber in the feed.

1. Mass of Fiber Retained on Wire: This can be determined by measuring the weight of the fiber that
remains on the wire after the water drainage. You can collect the fiber retained on the wire during a
specific time period and measure its mass using a balance or other suitable weighing method.

2. Mass of Fiber in the Feed: The mass of fiber in the feed refers to the total amount of fiber
introduced into the forming part of the paper machine. This can be estimated by measuring the
consistency (fiber concentration) of the fiber suspension and the flow rate of the suspension.

Mass of Fiber in the Feed = Consistency x Flow Rate x Time

Consistency is typically expressed as a percentage (e.g., 0.5% consistency), and the flow rate is
measured in terms of volume per unit time (e.g., liters per minute).

Once you have obtained the values for the mass of fiber retained on the wire and the mass of fiber in
the feed, you can use the formula mentioned earlier to calculate the retention as a percentage.

It's important to note that retention can be influenced by various factors, such as machine
parameters, chemical additives, fiber properties, and process conditions. Therefore, the calculated
retention value represents a specific operating point and may vary in different situations.