Theory and Application of Zeta Potential in Papermaking

Abstract

A laboratory system has been developed to measure simultaneously the zeta potential, flocculation, and drainage of pulp and filler suspensions under hydrodynamic shear flow. The magnitude and trend of on-line streaming potential measurements correlated well with off-line electrophoresis measurements. The slight deviation between two measurements showed the absorptivity difference of cationic chemicals with furnish components. The instrument was used to optimize flocculation and drainage for single retention systems and microparticle retention systems in a laboratory. Flocculation and drainage were affected by the order of chemicals, and the type of furnish. Drainage increases that occurred with the addition of bentonite were strongly influenced by charge neutralization.