History of Papyrus and Papermaking
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History of Papyrus and Papermaking

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Questions and Answers

What is cellulose primarily made of?

  • Fats
  • Proteins
  • Carbohydrates (correct)
  • Fiber

    • Natural cellulose fibers lose strength when wet.

    False

    What are the two main groups of trees considered in papermaking?

    Softwoods and hardwoods

    Cellulose fibers contribute strength to paper, while the shorter fibers primarily contribute to _____ and surface smoothness.

    <p>opacity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following tree types with their characteristics:

    <p>Softwoods = Usually coniferous and longer fiber Hardwoods = Usually deciduous and shorter fiber</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about cellulose is true?

    <p>Cellulose is hygroscopic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Wood is the predominant source of papermaking fiber.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What preferred species were used during the early pulp industry when the sulfite process was common?

    <p>Spruce and fir</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who created the first sheet of paper around AD 105?

    <p>Ts’ai Lun</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Papyrus was the least used writing material in ancient times.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What materials were used to create the first sheets of paper?

    <p>Mulberry and other bast fibers, fishnets, old rags, and hemp waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The art of papermaking reached Samarkand in the year _____ .

    <p>751</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the rail yard and dock mentioned in the passage?

    <p>Shipping and storing chips</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following events with their respective dates:

    <p>First paper made in Baghdad = 793 Ts’ai Lun invents paper = AD 105 Papermaking reaches Samarkand = 751 Invention of printing = 1450s</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant issue faced by paper mills in the 18th century?

    <p>Shortages of rags</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mechanical pulp is made by treating wood chips with chemical solutions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the kraft process used for in pulp preparation?

    <p>Cooking wood chips with caustic soda and sodium sulfide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The papermaking process has changed significantly since the 18th century.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary raw material used for papermaking before the need for alternatives?

    <p>Linen and cotton rags</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The pulp that is purified by bleaching and alkaline extraction is known as ______ pulp.

    <p>alpha</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following products is NOT made from market pulp or paper?

    <p>Furniture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of pulp to its main characteristic:

    <p>Mechanical pulp = Made by grinding wood Chemical wood pulp = Cooks wood chips with chemicals Semi-chemical pulp = Softens lignin but dissolves only part of it Alpha pulp = Used for specialty papers and films</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Separate converting operations are usually distant from consumer markets.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The processes for preparing pulp include ______, chemical, and semi-chemical methods.

    <p>mechanical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of alum in paper production?

    <p>To precipitate rosin dispersion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Calcium carbonate can be used in paper systems containing alum.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one common pigment used to enhance the brightness of paper.

    <p>titanium dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Titanium dioxide is prepared from the minerals ______ and ______.

    <p>rutile, anatase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a commonly used filler for paper?

    <p>Sand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following pigments to their key characteristics:

    <p>Clay = Used for improved opacity Titanium dioxide = Most expensive pigment Calcium carbonate = Improves brightness Zinc oxide = Used in coatings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The amount of filler used in paper production typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the fiber.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of adding an agent like alum when using fillers in paper?

    <p>To hold the filler in the formed sheet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary chemical used in the Kraft pulping process?

    <p>Sodium hydroxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Kraft pulping process results in a pulp yield of about 50 percent.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate energy requirement to produce one ton of pulp in the Kraft process?

    <p>9,000 MJ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The pulping chemicals are regenerated in the ______ process.

    <p>recovery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason that the Kraft bleaching process does not typically allow for effluent recycling?

    <p>Corrosion and scaling from salt buildup</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Total chlorine free (TCF) bleaching sequences are more common than elemental chlorine free (ECF) sequences in the United States.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of sequences is the recent 'cluster rule' expected to standardize in the coming decade?

    <p>ECF sequences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following energy outputs to their sources in the Kraft process:

    <p>Energy from burning dissolved organics = 14,000 MJ/ton of pulp Energy required to produce pulp = 9,000 MJ/ton of pulp</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Papyrus

    • Papyrus, a widely used writing material in ancient times, was made from the glue-like sap of a plant.
    • The sap acted as an adhesive, cementing layers together to create sheets.
    • Unlike modern papermaking, papyrus sheets did not undergo complete defibring.

    Papermaking History

    • Papermaking can be traced back to AD 105 when Ts'ai Lun, a Chinese official, created paper using mulberry, bast fibres, fishnets, rags, and hemp waste.
    • The art of papermaking spread westward, reaching Samarkand in 751 and Baghdad in 793.
    • The golden age of Islamic culture facilitated the spread of this technology to Europe.
    • By the 14th century, numerous paper mills existed in Europe, particularly in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany.
    • The invention of printing in the 1450s significantly increased the demand for paper.
    • For centuries, the papermaking process remained largely unchanged, relying on linen and cotton rags as the primary source of material.
    • The increasing demand for paper led to shortages, prompting a search for more abundant materials.

    Raw Materials

    • All plant cell walls contain cellulose fibers, a linear polysaccharide essential for papermaking.
    • Cellulose fibers comprise about one-third of annual plant structure and one-half of perennial plant structure.
    • These fibres are known for their high strength, durability, and ability to absorb water without losing strength.
    • Most plant materials also contain non-fibrous cells that are less desirable for papermaking but are valuable for filling the sheet.
    • Wood is the predominant source of papermaking fiber, as it contains a high concentration of fibers and minimal non-fibrous elements.

    Wood Pulp

    • Forest trees are categorized into two groups: coniferous trees (softwoods) and deciduous trees (hardwoods).
    • Softwood fibers are longer (2 to 4 mm), contributing strength to paper.
    • Hardwood fibers are shorter (0.5 to 1.5 mm), providing opacity and a smooth surface.
    • In the early days of the pulp industry, spruce and fir were the preferred species for pulping.

    Pulp Preparation

    • Mechanical or groundwood pulp: Produced by grinding wood against a revolving stone or passing chips through a mill, separating and fragmenting fibers.
    • Chemical wood pulp: Made by cooking wood chips with chemical solutions in digesters under pressure and high temperatures, dissolving lignin and isolating fibers.
    • Semi-chemical pulp: Produced by softening lignin with sulfite or alkali, but not completely dissolving it, before defibring.
    • Alpha or dissolving pulp: High-purity chemical wood pulp bleached and extracted, used for specialty papers, rayon, cellulose film, and derivatives.

    Kraft Pulping Process

    • Wood chips are treated with sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide under heat and pressure to break down lignin and separate fibers.
    • The Kraft process is energy-intensive, requiring 9,000 MJ to produce a ton of pulp, with a pulp yield of about 50%.
    • Chemical and energy recovery are efficient in this process, with over 98% of chemicals regenerated.
    • The remaining organic matter is burned in a recovery furnace, generating energy to run the mill and often surplus electricity.
    • Kraft pulp can be bleached using oxygen, chlorine dioxide, and peroxide.
    • Total chlorine free (TCF) sequences are less common than elemental chlorine free (ECF) sequences, which rely on peroxide and ozone.
    • Bleach effluent cannot be recycled due to salt buildup, accounting for half the effluent from the Kraft mill.
    • The total water use in a Kraft mill is approximately 20,000 gallons per ton of pulp.

    Sizing and Filling

    • Paper for writing or printing typically contains white pigments or fillers for brightness, opacity, smoothness, and ink receptivity.
    • Common fillers include clay (kaolin), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
    • Titanium dioxide is the most expensive pigment and often used in mixtures.
    • Calcium carbonate is preferred for its brightness, opacity, ink receptivity, and burning properties in cigarette paper.
    • Other fillers include zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, hydrated silica, calcium sulfate, hydrated alumina, talc, barium sulfate, and asbestos.
    • Fillers are often used in paper coatings.
    • Alum is used as an agent to bond fillers to fibers. Filler content can vary from 1 to 10% of the fiber.
    • Soluble dyes or colored pigments are added to the paper stock to impart colour.

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    Description

    Explore the ancient origins of papyrus and the evolution of papermaking from its inception in China to its spread across the world. This quiz covers significant milestones in the history of writing materials, including the innovations of Ts'ai Lun and the impact of Islamic culture on papermaking in Europe. Test your knowledge on how these developments shaped communication through the ages.

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