Bentonite addition - Technical Papermaking

Bentonite (anionic smectite clay)

Bentonite is the name given to the anionic smectite clay material used to improve retention and drainage. The composition of the particles can be described as very thin plates caused by the salts in the clay. This gives a large surface area for the particle to bond with other particles and cationic polymer.

The bentonite has two functions, primarily when use either before or after a cationic polymer it serves as a drainage/ retention aid. When bentonite is used with cationic polymer it can be used to control the level of pitch, tacky materials (commonly referred to as Anionic trash).

Bentonite added down-stream to polymer improves dewatering on the wire. Best achieved when high mass cationic polymer is used has been added so that the stock furnish has a momentary net cationic charge. If the stock has a high level of Anionic trash it makes sense to firstly treat the stock with sufficient cationic polymer.

Bentonite works with the polymer to increase the dewatering capabilities of the paper web, the two chemicals work in unison to achieve this. Bentonite works as a drainage aid allowing the water to be removed more easily from the web. When adjusting the chemicals the set points of both the polymer and the hydrocol must be reduced or increased together, having a high polymer dosage and low hydrocol dosage or vice versa for example can decrease the drainage on the machine and cause poor formation.

Diluted Bentonite is added post screen and works by reforming the fiber flocculation’s that have been broken down  by shear forces going through the primary machine screen. Bentonite brings the smaller flocs together for better formation on the fourdrinier.

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