Abstract
The effects of polyelectrolytes and enzyme, alone and in combination, were investigated in OCC recycling system. Four types of the polyelectrolytes based on acrylamide, cationic and anionic monomers were applied to the enzyme-treated KOCC stock to improve the strength and drainage properties of testliner. The polyelectrolytes used in this work were designed in terms of molecular weight and charge density. The water conditions used for recycling were also varied. The results showed that the hydrolytic action of enzyme gave reduced surface area and amorphous region of fiber, and as a result, the cationic polymer was lost apparently its flocculating power due to the reduced bonding site of fiber surface. When the hardness and conductivity of water had been controlled to the conditins of OCC paper mill, the application of amphoteric polyelectrolyte to the enzyme-treated recycled stock was the most effective with respect to the strength and drainage properties of testliner.
