- New near-infrared measurement technology offers higher measurement accuracy and a wider range of applications compared to conventional methods
- Reliable detection of stickies and non-adhesive contamination
- Voith Paper, PROPAKMA & Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS) publish technical rule for performing stickies measurements as DIN SPEC 6745
In cooperation with Voith Paper, Papiertechnische Stifutng (PTS) has developed a new measuring method for detecting unwanted, non-adhesive and adhesive contaminants, so-called stickies. The measuring method, according to which stickies measurements can be carried out by means of a near-infrared camera, facilitates the reliable detection of contaminants along the papermaking process and offers both higher measuring accuracy and a wider range of applications compared to conventional methods. The technical rule was recently published as DIN SPEC 6745.
Higher measurement accuracy and a wider range of applications
In comparison to the methods established in the paper industry, the measuring technology uses near infrared (NIR) to determine more extensive information about the impurities with a high measuring accuracy. The measured spectral information is compared and assigned to values of known impurities, allowing the impurities to be further classified based on their chemical composition. Furthermore, in addition to adhesive as well as non-adhesive impurities can be detected and classified with the new NIR measurement technology.
Reliable detection with reduced laboratory effort
The new measuring method enables a significantly more reliable determination of information while at the same time reducing laboratory work. "Stickies measurement using NIR measurement technology allows stickies balances to be established reliably and with sufficient accuracy even with individual measurements," says Dr. Linus Friedrich, Senior Manager R&D Fiber Systems at Voith Paper. "This is only possible to a limited extent with established methods due to the wide dispersion of results, and shows one of the technological advantages of the new stickies measurement technology".
Since the new measuring method uses laboratory sheets that can be produced by a laboratory sheet former and contain both fibers and stickies, numerous intermediate steps in sample preparation are eliminated. For example, the sticky impurities contained in a fabric sample no longer have to be concentrated in order to be analyzed. The preparation time for laboratory sheet formation is significantly shorter and the measurement is less error-prone than with conventional methods. The new NIR measuring method can be used to evaluate finished paper samples as well as stock samples.
Technical rule published as DIN SPEC 6745
The technical rule developed together with Voith Paper and PROPAKMA was recently published as DIN SPEC 6745. The DIN SPEC is a preliminary stage of the DIN standard and describes the stickies measurement method based on NIR measurement technology. DIN SPEC 6745 is available for free download from the Beuth Verlag website. A corresponding ISO standard is under consideration and in preparation.
A new standard for the paper industry
Due to its technological advantages, NIR measurement technology has the potential to replace established methods for measuring stickies. With the publication of a technical rule describing sample preparation and measurement procedures, the framework conditions for establishing a new standard in the paper industry have been created.
The new measuring technology is available at Voith Paper's Heidenheim Technology Center and at PTS for R&D activities of both companies as well as for customer trials. Furthermore, the new measuring technology can be used for service calls and customer audits. Voith Paper is the first company in the paper industry to use the measuring device developed by PTS.
www.ptspaper.de