Project Highlight
The Influence of Ultrasound on Virgin Paper Fibres
Project Directors:
Dr Andrew Manning, Professor Robert Thompson
Project Outline:
Irradiation of cellulose fibres with high intensity ultrasound is found to promote fibrillation of virgin fibres without breaking them. However, the fibrillation process appears to occur predominantly at sites on the fibre wall that have already been damaged by the refining process. This leads to the conclusion that commercial fibre refining could be enhanced by a combination of mechanical and ultrasound refining, giving a reduction in fibre breakage and a resultant lowering of fibre loss.
Dr Andrew Manning, Professor Robert Thompson
Project Outline:
Irradiation of cellulose fibres with high intensity ultrasound is found to promote fibrillation of virgin fibres without breaking them. However, the fibrillation process appears to occur predominantly at sites on the fibre wall that have already been damaged by the refining process. This leads to the conclusion that commercial fibre refining could be enhanced by a combination of mechanical and ultrasound refining, giving a reduction in fibre breakage and a resultant lowering of fibre loss.