Cellulosic product forming process and wet formed cellulosic product

Abstract

According to the disclosure, a wet form cellulosic product forming process and a wet formed cellulosic product are disclosed. The process includes providing a slurry, forming the slurry into a cellulosic product, dewatering the cellulosic product, and drying the cellulosic product. Further dewatering of the cellulosic product occurs through a non-mechanical mechanism.

1 . A wet form cellulosic product forming process, the process comprising:
 providing a slurry;   forming the slurry into a cellulosic product;   dewatering the cellulosic product; and   drying the cellulosic product;   wherein the cellulosic product is further dewatered through a non-mechanical mechanism, the non-mechanical mechanism being provided by a soluble surfactant selected from the group consisting of a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the dewatering of the cellulosic product includes pressing the cellulosic product. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the cationic surfactant. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 12-Carbon chain. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 14-Carbon chain. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 16-Carbon chain. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the cationic surfactant has a 18-Carbon chain. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the slurry includes the zwitterionic surfactant. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the soluble surfactant is cetyl trimethylammonium bromide ((C 16 H 33 )N(CH 3 ) 3 Br). 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the soluble surfactant adsorbs on or within cellulosic fibers within the slurry. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the non-mechanical mechanism increases concentration of solids beyond what is capable through mechanical mechanisms without damaging the cellulosic product. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the non-mechanical mechanism reduces a hydraulic force correlating to a capillary force retaining water within or between a fiber of cellulose within the slurry. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the non-mechanical mechanism increases concentration of solids in the cellulosic product by at least about 1% solids. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the forming of the cellulosic product and the pressing of the cellulosic product dewaters the cellulosic product through a non-mechanical mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic product is paper. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic product is ceiling board. 
     
     
         19 . A wet formed cellulosic product forming process, the process comprising:
 providing a slurry,   forming a cellulosic product from the slurry;   pressing the cellulosic product to dewater the cellulosic product; and   drying the cellulosic product;   wherein the cellulosic product is further dewatered through a non-mechanical mechanism during the forming and the pressing of the cellulosic product.   
     
     
         20 . A wet formed cellulosic product, the product comprising cetyl trimethylammonium bromide ((C 16 H 33 )N(CH 3 ) 3 Br). 
     
     
         21 . The product of  claim 19 , wherein the wet formed cellulosic product is selected from the group consisting of paper and ceiling board.