Brownstock washing fundamentals: enhancing drainage through chemistry: Part 1

Filtrate drainage during mat formation in a brownstock washer directly affects the washer’s productivity and indirectly affects its efficiency. In this paper, we demonstrate the role of entrained air on mat formation and filtration as they occur in brownstock washing. We further show how chemical treatments, such as defoamers and wash aids, and fiber surface chemistry influence air entrainment and thereby washer productivity and efficiency.