Effect of Blowline Process Conditions on Resin Distribution in Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) Production
Karl D. Murton, Warren J. Grigsby, Armin Thumm · 2004
A MDF blowline, cyclone, dryer and ancillary resin injection equipment, have been designed and installed in the PAPRO Fibre Processing Pilot Plant. This blowline has been successfully commissioned producing resinated fibre using both conventional and labelled urea formaldehyde (UF) resins. The effect of blowline and resin injection system process parameters on resin coverage of fibre was determined by injecting fluorescently labelled UF resin into the blowline and examining the resin distribution on the fibre using confocal microscopy. The key results are: - Resin coverage increases if emulsified wax is mixed with the resin prior to injection. - Resin coverage increases with increased steam flow through the blowline. - Resin coverage decreased when the resin injection nozzle was shifted from the conventional position after the blowvalve to the end of the blowline. The blowline steam flow and resin injection position has a greater effect on the resin coverage than the nozzle type for the blowline used.