Postgraduate - UnitCHE5294 - Performance of paper products

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Synopsis

This unit will equip students with the ability to evaluate new developments in our understanding of the properties of paper, to identify and analyse opportunities for the enhancement of paper properties or the production of new grades of paper, to understand the influence of raw materials, process conditions and assessment procedures on the measured properties of paper so that the causes of loss of properties can be determined, and to evaluate the reasons for customer dissatisfaction with the performance of specific deliveries of paper. This will require knowledge of the various categories of paper and their performance requirements, a detailed understanding of the dimensional, mechanical, optical and surface properties of paper and the influence of raw materials and process conditions on these properties, and an understanding of the relationship between the properties of paper which can be determined in the laboratory and the paper's conversion and end-use performance. It will also require detailed knowledge of the effect of relative humidity on the moisture content of paper and of moisture content on the properties of the paper, and an understanding of the consolidation of the paper web during the forming process.

Outcomes

Learning objectives of this unit are that the student will:

1. Acquire an increased knowledge and understanding of:
• The categories of paper
• The performance requirements of products of each category
• Predicting performance by measuring paper properties
• The process of consolidation of the paper web
• Mechanical, dimensional, optical and surface properties of paper
• The effect of relative humidity on paper properties.
• Raw materials, the papermaking process and paper properties
• Printing performance of paper
• Special properties of tissue products
• Basics of the utilisation of paper and wood fibres in composites

2. Develop the skills required to:
• Analyse new developments in understanding of paper properties and make appropriate and innovative recommendations to exploit these
• Keep up to date with developments in the property requirements of various grades of paper, and of new paper grades, and assess their relevance to specific commercial operations
• Assess the raw material requirements and processing conditions required to achieve enhanced properties and new paper grades
• Analyse the source of quality deficiencies and cause of customer complaints and develop cost effective solutions

3. Demonstrate the ability to:
• Undertake in depth research of the literature on a specific aspect of paper properties, analyse the information obtained and produce a report which demonstrates understanding and insight
• Organise practical experiments, make detailed observations of experiments, analyse the results and produce an accurate and detailed report

Assessment

Assignments and reports: 40%
Test: 10%
Final Examination: 50%

Chief examiner(s)

Assoc Professor Karen Hapgood

Contact hours

28 hours lectures and 8 hours laboratory classes in a one week intensive, 115 hours private study