Compozil Fx and Compozil Fsx systems

 

For many years, Eka Chemicals’ Compozil retention and dewatering system used in the papermaking industry was number 1 in both market share and performance. But the competition was closing the performance gap. So Eka researchers responded to the challenge with a quantum leap forward.

Papermaking involves turning a slurry of pulp into a solid sheet of paper by removing most of the water from the slurry - de-watering - while retaining as much of the fiber as possible - retention - to create the desired grade of paper - formation. But in the past, it wasn’t possible to de-couple the rate of de-watering from the rate of retention. Now, Eka’s scientists have developed a system that enables much greater control of the processes. Eka’s new Compozil Fx and Compozil Fsx systems, offer solutions that meet the demands of the biggest and fastest papermaking operations in the world.

The Compozil system consisted of two primary components - a solution of minute colloidal silica particles, and positively charged (cationic) polymers. One of the most important tricks employed in the Compozil Fx and Compozil Fsx systems has been to introduce a third, negatively charged (anionic) polymer into the system. This adds a third variable parameter to balance retention, dewatering and formation, which are the key parameters for the papermaker.

Faster and cleaner

The benefits for customers are tremendous, especially in Asia, where the world’s biggest and fastest papermaking operations are located. "Some of our customers have achieved record production levels and world record production speeds," explains Dave Lovell, Marketing Manager, Eka Chemicals Asia Pacific. "Compozil Fx has allowed papermakers to run cleaner systems, which means they reduce the loading on their effluent and can better control discharges to the water system. And with more efficient de-watering, they use less energy. Beyond that, one of the key things that they’ve achieved is that they can replace virgin fiber, which comes from chopping down trees, with mineral fillers, and still get good performance." In 2009, he estimates, the overall reduction in virgin fiber amounted to about 200,000 tons in 2009 - which translates to about 5 million trees.

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