Papermaking system and method

Abstract

A method of making paper is described. The method includes providing a calcium bicarbonate solution an providing a cellulosic fibrous material, the cellulosic fibrous material comprising a plurality of elongated fibers having a fiber wall surrounding a hollow interior, the fibrous material having a moisture content. The method also includes adding the calcium bicarbonate solution to the cellulosic fibrous material to form a pulp mixture, the calcium bicarbonate solution containing from 0.5% to about 16% solids of calcium bicarbonate by weight. Further, the method includes dewatering the pulp slurry using a wet press device such that the solids of the calcium bicarbonate by weight is pulsed above and below 16% solids by weight, finally ending above 16% calcium bicarbonate by weight and refining the pulp mixture such that at least some of the calcium ions become associated with the reactive sites in the fiber walls. Further still, the method includes forming a web from the pulp mixture and wet pressing the web.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.